High Liver Enzyme Levels
High Liver Enzyme Levels I am a 28-year-old female with no notable health issues in my past. My height is 5 feet 5 inches, and my weight stands at 158 pounds. I reside in the United States. At the end of May, I experienced walking pneumonia, accompanied by a fever lasting for ten days, which led to a hospital visit. During my stay, tests revealed that my liver enzymes were elevated. As treatment, I received two intravenous bags of antibiotics and subsequently underwent a seven-day course of oral antibiotics. A week later, I returned to my primary care physician for a follow-up appointment, where an X-ray still showed signs of pneumonia. Consequently, I was prescribed a Z-pack, and my doctor conducted additional blood tests. The results of those tests indicated that my liver enzyme levels had risen further: - ALT: 258 U/L (elevated; normal is < 56) - AST: 218 U/L (elevated) - ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase): 305 U/L (elevated) - GGT: 225 U/L (elevated) - Globulin: 4.4 g/dL (elevated) - A/G Ratio: 0.8 (low) - Albumin: 3.4 g/dL (normal) - Total Protein: 7.8 g/dL (normal) - Bilirubin: 0.3 mg/dL (normal) - BUN: 10 mg/dL (normal) - Creatinine: 0.72 mg/dL (normal) - BUN/Creatinine Ratio: 14 (normal) - Sodium: 144 mmol/L (normal) - Potassium: 4.2 mmol/L (normal) - Chloride: 105 mmol/L (normal) - CO₂ (bicarbonate): 26 mmol/L (normal) - Calcium: 9.2 mg/dL (normal) - Glucose: 90 mg/dL (normal) - Hepatitis A/B/C panel: Negative (both in the hospital and at my primary doctor) - CEA: <2.0 ng/mL (normal; non-smoker range <2.5) - CA 19-9: 57 U/mL (mildly elevated; normal <34) I've been experiencing pain in my right upper quadrant, particularly after consuming greasy or fatty meals. Additionally, lying on my right side often causes discomfort. I recently underwent an abdominal ultrasound, which came back normal. Following this, I was referred to an oncologist. I’m puzzled about this referral. Is it common for oncologists to conduct liver biopsies or perform further evaluations? I find it perplexing since I had an autoimmune panel done in April, and at that time, my liver function was normal. I tested negative for all autoimmune diseases, except for a slightly elevated ESR of 22 and RF of 38.
Answers (1)
6/25/2025, 5:50:49 PM
OpenHealth AI
Elevated liver enzyme levels can be concerning and indicate potential liver stress or damage. Your recent history of pneumonia could be linked, but it's important to investigate further to understand the cause of your elevated enzymes.
Explanation
Liver enzymes, such as ALT and AST, help assess liver health. High values can result from various issues including medication effects, infections, fatty liver disease, and autoimmune disorders. Given your recent antibiotic treatment and the abdominal discomfort you’re experiencing, it’s understandable to feel anxious about your liver health.
The referral to an oncologist may arise from standard practices when liver abnormalities are significant, even if malignancy is less likely. They typically evaluate and may conduct additional tests for conditions that could affect the liver, including cancers, but they also handle broader concerns related to liver health.
Prioritized Next Steps
-
Track Symptoms: Keep a diary of any symptoms you experience, particularly after meals, and how your body reacts to different foods. This will help in understanding triggers.
-
Dietary Adjustments: Start a low-fat, balanced diet, focusing on whole foods, lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables. Reduce consumption of greasy or fatty foods to help minimize discomfort and put less strain on your liver.
-
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, which can support overall liver function.
-
Follow Up Tests: Prepare for possible follow-up tests that the oncologist may recommend, such as imaging studies or blood tests. These will help clarify the cause of your elevated liver enzymes. Discuss any concerns with them.
-
Consultation Preparation: Reflect on all your health symptoms and history before your appointment with the oncologist. Ask them directly about the reasons for their referral and the types of evaluations they might consider, including biopsy options if necessary.
-
Mental Wellness: Acknowledge feelings of confusion and anxiety. Consider speaking with a mental health professional or using stress-relief techniques to help manage feelings during this uncertain time.
Staying proactive about your health and maintaining open communication with your healthcare providers will give you the best chance at obtaining clear answers and guidance. Let me know if you have more specific questions or need further support!
Related Questions
Unusual Heart Sensation
I’m an 18-year-old, weighing 50 kilograms and standing at 170 centimeters (and yes, I’m aware that I’m quite slender). For the past couple of years, I’ve developed a habit of smoking about half a pack of cigarettes each day. So, the other day I was lying on my left side, relaxing, when I stumbled upon an unusual sensation. It felt as though my heart was pulsating so intensely that it was almost outside my body. Out of curiosity, I pressed a bit on the area and was instantly hit with a rush; my head started to tingle, my vision momentarily blurred, and it felt as though my heart dropped. It was as if my entire system had malfunctioned. Just for context, I’ve experienced something similar before after a ketamine overdose, and it persisted for about a month afterward, occurring occasionally while trying to sleep or during random moments in bed. This current episode has me quite anxious, especially since it hasn’t happened in a while, but this time felt particularly alarming.
Experiencing Heart Palpitations Following Chest Impact
I'm a 17-year-old female who has struggled with tachycardia for several years, having been diagnosed with postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) about five years ago, although I haven't pursued further testing because I haven't completely lost consciousness. Recently, over the past month or two, I've started to experience sensations of my heart skipping beats, accompanied by difficulty in breathing during these episodes. These occurrences have become significantly more frequent, even when I'm at rest. Five years ago, I underwent a Holter monitor test, which indicated primarily tachycardia with occasional premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), but nothing alarming was found. In early December, I was struck hard in the chest by an elbow while in a mosh pit, which resulted in some pain when taking deep breaths for a few days. My sternum became bruised and slightly swollen, and it remained tender to touch for about two weeks, but this discomfort was manageable. I still feel some soreness when stretching, although it’s not severe. Additionally, I have diagnoses of Crohn’s disease and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (HEDS), and I am currently on immunosuppressants. Given these circumstances, would it be advisable for me to seek medical evaluation, or could these symptoms be considered typical?
Post-Gallbladder Surgery Concerns: Potential Infection Three Weeks Later?
Subject's Age: 35 Gender: Female Height: 5 feet 4 inches Weight: 160 pounds Ethnicity: Asian Duration of Symptoms: Last Three Weeks Geographic Location: United States Relevant Medical History: Almost three weeks ago, I underwent gallbladder removal surgery. In the last few days, I have observed a small amount of cloudy discharge emerging from my incision site. Recently, I noticed what appears to be pus leaking from the area. While there is no significant pain, I do feel a mild soreness when I touch or move the site. I have not experienced any fever or chills, and there’s no unpleasant odor coming from the wound. Should I continue to clean the area with soap and water, or is it advisable to seek medical attention at the emergency room for further evaluation?
Understanding My Experiences with Dissociation and Physical Symptoms
Hello everyone! I'm 15 years old and I’ve been grappling with intense feelings of dissociation recently. About two years back, I experienced what I now refer to as a "silent seizure" for the first time. It happened around 2 PM while I was at school in the band hall. Suddenly, I found myself zoning out completely; I was just sitting there, disassociated from reality, until it dawned on me that I couldn’t seem to reconnect with my surroundings. Feeling lost, I turned to a friend and anxiously asked, "Where am I?" She chuckled, unaware of the seriousness of my situation, but I stood up and wandered out of the classroom, aimlessly walking towards the bathrooms. The sensation was akin to being in a dream—you know you’re somewhere, yet you can’t fully engage with the moment for what felt like 5 to 10 minutes. Strangely, I even had the feeling of observing myself from above as I moved through the halls, like a scene from a dream. In a state of panic, I contacted my mom. By the time I managed to leave school, my mind was clearing. She took me to her workplace where a colleague checked my blood sugar levels, revealing it was low. I had eaten that day, so this was unexpected (especially since my mother also faces issues with low blood sugar). This occurrence was unprecedented for me; thankfully, I haven’t faced such low levels since then. In the following weeks, I experienced intermittent dissociative episodes, prompting me to visit a doctor. I underwent blood tests, an electrocardiogram (EKG), and a routine examination. Everything appeared normal, except I was diagnosed with anemia—something my mother and sister also deal with. I walked away from that appointment without any real explanations, and after a while, the episodes subsided—thankfully, a relief. FAST FORWARD TO NOW: (15 years old) (Potentially relevant context) Recently, I’ve been enduring severe heart and chest discomfort. I’ve been noticing irregular heartbeats, sporadic strong pulsations, and sharp pain localized in my heart region and upper right chest. Lying on my side can be quite painful, and sometimes I struggle to take deep breaths. I make it a priority to get a full eight hours of sleep each night, I take daily vitamins, and I’m actively involved in competitive cheerleading, maintaining a healthy fitness level for my height and weight. We sought medical advice again, underwent numerous tests, and, once more, everything checked out fine. My heart was deemed healthy, and all other measurements were satisfactory. Initially, we suspected anxiety might be a factor, but my mom is hesitant to consider antidepressants, believing that my age may limit treatment options. She has recommended that I hydrate more and practice breathing exercises (which is somewhat ironic since I struggle to breathe when these pains occur, yet I don’t argue). UPDATE: During practice today, I unexpectedly experienced my first "silent seizure" episode in two years. It was more disconcerting than I recalled. I lost track of my location again and couldn’t re-engage with reality. It felt as if I was observing those around me from a dream-like vantage point. This realization frightened me, thinking that I had moved past these episodes. It took about ten minutes for me to regain my awareness of my environment. Additionally, this week, I noticed moments of dissociation, albeit not as intense as previous episodes. I found myself vacantly staring, and my vision felt oddly lazy, frequently. It's worth noting that I do not have a lazy eye. I plan to document these occurrences meticulously, and if they persist, I will consult my doctor again. Meanwhile, if anyone has suggestions about what might be happening to me, I would greatly appreciate it. Is this potentially linked to anxiety? I’m genuinely confused about my condition!
Identifying a Mysterious Brown Circle on My Scalp
Age: 21 Gender: Female Height: 5'4" Weight: 175 lbs Ethnicity: White (Scottish/Irish) Location: California Current Medication: Testosterone injection administered subcutaneously in the thigh While I was having my hair dyed blue, my girlfriend noticed a perfectly circular brown mark on my scalp. It resembles a circle that appears to have been made with a brown marker. The size of the ring is similar to my thumb’s tip and contrasts sharply with the lighter shade of my scalp. There is no evidence of hair thinning or loss around this circle; we only discovered it because we were parting my hair. I’m curious if this could be connected to the brain fog or headaches I’ve been experiencing lately. I looked online, and while ringworm was suggested, it doesn’t match my symptoms since there are no bald patches or flaky skin. I’m open to answering any additional questions to help clarify this situation, as it's causing me some concern.