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Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: geobee on February 19, 2014, 01:05:27 am

Title: High ALT (ALANINE AMINOTRANSFERASE)
Post by: geobee on February 19, 2014, 01:05:27 am
So I got my labs back via computer tonight, about to leave a note for my doc.  My ALT was 49.  The normal high is 36.  Does anyone know what this means?  I did some googling but that always is frightening! 

I switched to Stribild about a month ago.

Gonna email the doc now, got me worried in the hour before bedtime.  Hopefully she'll get back to me tomorrow.
Title: Re: High ALT (ALANINE AMINOTRANSFERASE)
Post by: randomwalker on February 19, 2014, 01:40:28 am
ALT is a marker for liver function, elevated levels can be an indication of liver problems.

Assuming you do not have any other co-infections, I don't think it is unusual for ALT levels to go up a bit when adapting to a new regimen. And 49 is not horrible (there can be quite a bit of variation). In my case, when I first started my meds, my ALT levels jumped up and eventually settled back down to baseline again over the course of a year.

My guess is that your doc will continue to monitor your ALT and look for trends. Hopefully the increase will plateau and settle back down over time. If not, there are other med combinations that can be more liver-friendly.


Title: Re: High ALT (ALANINE AMINOTRANSFERASE)
Post by: zach on February 19, 2014, 01:48:56 am
normal range is higher for males, low to mid 40s, so you're only mildly elevated. med change could very well be to blame. also, levels fluctuate throughout the day and can be affected by many factors; exercise, hydration, even a glass of wine the night before labs. look at your ast as well, the ratio of the difference is important. if you had liver damage or hep, the levels would be significantly higher. gut feeling, you're fine, nothing to lose sleep over. just wait for your dr to get back to you.
Title: Re: High ALT (ALANINE AMINOTRANSFERASE)
Post by: eric48 on February 19, 2014, 09:27:22 am
As most people I get my ALT checked...

Going over range is not alarming per se

Stage 1 is defined when 5 to 10 times the upper range (if my recollection is good)

Your doc may want to look into it. Most times fatty liver (you have put on weight?) or elevated blood sugar...

Hope this helps

Eric
Title: Re: High ALT (ALANINE AMINOTRANSFERASE)
Post by: geobee on February 19, 2014, 12:36:53 pm
Thanks E, Z, and RW --

My doc got back to me and said I shouldn't be worried.  She said it's elevated, but not overly so, and not a cause for alarm.

It's easy to freak out -- and I did -- when I get a number back that I don't like. 

Thanks for posting and helping put my mind at ease.

George