Reason for Lab Value???

[HillNPStudent]

I just had a physical done with my primary doc; I work with him at the hospital; he is excellent and sees a lot of our staff. I had all my routine labs drawn; everything was perfect except my ALT was mildly elevated, just a couple points. I asked the doc if there was any significance, he said no. My AST was WNL, as was everything else. He ordered no further follow-ups and told me I was in perfect health. My question: what would cause my ALT to be "mildly" elevated, but with all other labs WNL. I looked at labs from last year, ALT was normal. Is this something I should be concerned with? Do you think that the doc was right in not ordering other follow-ups? Just curious and concerned...

[Hoozdo, ADN]

Reasons for small elevations - alcohol the night before labs, tylenol or any other OTC pain relief meds the day before labs. I would not be too concerned - it is was a serious liver problem you would also see the AST elevated. If it is a MAJOR liver problem you would see low albumin, elevated bilirubin, prolonged INR. Personally, I wouldn't worry to much - but if you want more tests you could check for HBV and HCV.

Take care :)

[ERNurse03]

How high is it? My son's ALT got up to 101. When they finally figured out what was wrong it was a recent Epstein Barr Virus. I wish I would have known he had mono while he was playing football...no one ever tested him for that, but apparently it makes the ALT elevated in some people.

[sharona97, BSN, RN]

When they finally figured out what was wrong with him...........I Need to Vent This! Think outside the box Doc!

Whew I feel better now. I hope your son is too!!