Elevated ALT and AST

[flashpoint]

My husband went to Urgent Care with influenza type symptoms. He jsut got a call from his primary provider saying that his ALT and AST were elevated...she didn't say how elevated, just that he needed to schedule a follow up. So...what would be your first guess about what is going on? His dad was just diagnosed with terminal liver cancer, so he is pretty concerned.

Thanks in advance!

[klone, MSN, RN]

My husband went to Urgent Care with influenza type symptoms. He jsut got a call from his primary provider saying that his ALT and AST were elevated...she didn't say how elevated, just that he needed to schedule a follow up. So...what would be your first guess about what is going on? His dad was just diagnosed with terminal liver cancer, so he is pretty concerned.

Thanks in advance!

Coupled with the general malaise, my first guess would be mononucleosis.

[stsdoc]

My husband went to Urgent Care with influenza type symptoms. He jsut got a call from his primary provider saying that his ALT and AST were elevated...she didn't say how elevated, just that he needed to schedule a follow up. So...what would be your first guess about what is going on? His dad was just diagnosed with terminal liver cancer, so he is pretty concerned.

Thanks in advance!

Age?

AlcohoL?

jaundice?

Tylenol?

Could be lots of things. First thing I think of is acute hepatitis

[flashpoint]

Age?

AlcohoL?

jaundice?

Tylenol?

Could be lots of things. First thing I think of is acute hepatitis

35 years old

Rare alcohol use

No jaundice

Occasional Tylenol use, but none recently

[saskrn]

He could have a fatty liver, secondary to diabetes. Does he take any statins? They can be hard on the liver.

Gallbladder problems? Pancreas problems?

[RENAISSANCE RN]

I would follow up with and Endo...... It could be anything...... is he on predisone?

[stsdoc]

35 years old

Rare alcohol use

No jaundice

Occasional Tylenol use, but none recently

How long has he had the symptoms? Any nausea/vomiting/diarrhea?

You said his dad has terminal liver cancer. Does he also have hepatitis? Does your husband help take care of him in any way?

What kind of work does he do? Any exposure to chemicals? Is he taking any medications or herbals?

Has he eaten any bad seafood lately or done any travelling?

Terri's right, it really could be anything, especially since they didn't tell you how elevated the values were.

[apaisRN, RN, CRNA]

Don't flip out yet. I know my mom's are high because she takes multiple psych drugs. Also I believe gallstone disease can elevate enzymes.

It's just a test, not a diagnosis, so don't start assuming the worst, okay?

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

http://www.mdausa.org/publications/Quest/q82ss.cfm

There are a couple of good suggestions re: liver enzymes.

My first advice is wait until the consultant sees him. Be prepared to ask if you don't understand. Good luck.

We're seeing a hematologist next week re: my hubs Hgb of 7.9....It was 10 in Nov.

[URO-RN]

http://www.mdausa.org/publications/Quest/q82ss.cfm

There are a couple of good suggestions re: liver enzymes.

My first advice is wait until the consultant sees him. Be prepared to ask if you don't understand. Good luck.

We're seeing a hematologist next week re: my hubs Hgb of 7.9....It was 10 in Nov.

very good site ...thanks for posting it.