Liver disease in pregnancy can be benign, causing abnormal elevation of liver enzyme levels and a good outcome, or serious, affecting hepatobiliary function and resulting in liver failure and death to the mother and her fetus. Pregnant women may experience pre-eclampsia, HELLP syndrome, acute fatty liver of pregnancy, and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, which can have associated perinatal morbidity and mortality.
Liver abnormalities detected during pregnancy require diagnostic evaluation. Elevated liver enzymes can be caused by muscle damage, infections, and NAFLD, which is estimated in 10 women aged 20-40 years and in 16-18 of pregnant women. NAFLD increases the risk of pregnancy complications and foetal growth abnormality.
The cause of elevated liver enzymes during pregnancy is unclear in up to 30-40 cases, and little is known on the causes and mechanisms. Five to 10 women with pre-eclampsia develop haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets (HELLP), usually occurring in the second or third trimester. High-normal liver enzyme levels in early pregnancy predispose the risk of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia.
Liver enzymes may be elevated due to diet or medication, and pregnant women should pay attention to a diet rich in nutrients, vitamins, and reduce salt and fat. During pregnancy, levels of free fatty acids (FFAs) increase in maternal blood due to the effects of hormone-sensitive lipase and gestational insulin.
| Article | Description | Site |
|---|---|---|
| Liver diseases in pregnancy – PMC | E. Lim observed that between five and ten percent of women with pre-eclampsia develop hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets (HELLP). HELLP syndrome typically manifests in the second or third trimester of pregnancy. | pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov |
| High-normal liver enzyme levels in early pregnancy … | By Y Zhang · 2022 · Cited by 8 — This prospective cohort study found that high-normal liver enzyme levels in early pregnancy are a risk factor for gestational hypertension and preeclampsia. | www.frontiersin.org |
| Diagnostic Approach to Elevated Liver Function Tests … | The etiology of elevated liver enzymes during pregnancy remains uncertain in up to 30–40% of cases. Despite this, there is a paucity of knowledge regarding the underlying causes and mechanisms. | www.mdpi.com |
📹 High Liver Enzymes (ALT & AST) – What Do They Mean? – Dr.Berg
In this video, Dr. Berg talks about liver enzymes. There are two main liver enzymes; the AST and ALT. As the liver gets damaged, …
How to improve liver function while pregnant?
You can support your liver health during pregnancy by eating a healthy, balanced diet, getting regular exercise, staying hydrated, avoiding exposure to chemicals and using safe supplements.
What are the side effects of liver disease in pregnancy?
Though it’s full of nutrients, liver contains high levels of a certain type of vitamin A that can potentially cause miscarriage and birth defects in a developing baby, especially during the first couple of months of pregnancy.
Having a small serving of liver once or twice a month later in pregnancy isn’t thought to be harmful. But steer clear of liver if you’re trying to conceive or in your first trimester of pregnancy, and limit it carefully later in pregnancy.
Is liver good for a pregnant woman?. Rich in vitamins, minerals, and protein, liver is generally considered a healthy and nutrient-dense food. However, liver contains a very high concentration of preformed vitamin A, which can be dangerous during pregnancy.
How bad is liver during pregnancy?
Though it’s full of nutrients, liver contains high levels of a certain type of vitamin A that can potentially cause miscarriage and birth defects in a developing baby, especially during the first couple of months of pregnancy.
Having a small serving of liver once or twice a month later in pregnancy isn’t thought to be harmful. But steer clear of liver if you’re trying to conceive or in your first trimester of pregnancy, and limit it carefully later in pregnancy.
Is liver good for a pregnant woman?. Rich in vitamins, minerals, and protein, liver is generally considered a healthy and nutrient-dense food. However, liver contains a very high concentration of preformed vitamin A, which can be dangerous during pregnancy.
How can I improve my liver function during pregnancy?
- Some women have found that having cool baths and wearing loose-fitting cotton clothing helps to reduce the itching.
- Over the counter skin creams and ointments such as emollients and E45 to relieve the itching. These are safe in pregnancy and may provide temporary relief.
- Antihistamines (anti-allergy tablets) may help you sleep at night but don’t appear to have much success in helping itching.
- Ursodeoxycholic acid tablets, often known as ‘Urso’, reduces the amount of bile acids in your blood and improve liver function tests (LFT). Urso may also help reduce the itching.
Please talk to your Midwife or Doctor if you want further information.
Vitamin K. Your body uses Vitamin K to make clotting factors which help your blood to clot if you bleed. Having OC may cause a problem with how your blood clots. You will be advised to take a daily dose of Vitamin K to prevent problems if you start to bleed.
Why do ultrasounds for elevated liver enzymes?
A liver ultrasound can show signs of fat storage in your liver (steatotic liver disease), inflammation and swelling (hepatitis), and scar tissue (fibrosis or cirrhosis). These are the three main stages of chronic liver disease. The scan may also show liver lesions, abnormal spots or growths on your liver.
What are the different types of liver ultrasounds?. Types of liver ultrasounds include:
- Standard (upper right quadrant abdominal ultrasound).
- Vascular ultrasound (Doppler ultrasound).
- Elastography ultrasound (transient elastography).
- Contrast ultrasound (CEUS).
Standard liver ultrasound. A standard liver ultrasound is a modified abdominal ultrasound. Providers sometimes call it an upper right quadrant ultrasound. The upper right quadrant of your abdomen includes your liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, right kidney and part of your pancreas. While your sonographer focuses mainly on your liver, these other organs can be involved in your condition. They’re all connected within your biliary system.
What food causes elevated liver enzymes?
Eating certain kinds of food can increase the risk of developing NAFLD. Foods that are high in sugar, fat, and salt put extra stress on the liver. Fast food, packaged foods, and processed foods tend to contain a lot of these elements.
How to control liver enzymes during pregnancy?
Treatment should be initiated before conception and should not be interrupted during pregnancy, because of the risk of fulminant liver failure. The treatment of choice in pregnancy is zinc sulfate 50 mg three times daily (FDA category C), because of its efficacy and safety for the fetus.
Liver disease in pregnancy encompasses a spectrum of diseases encountered during gestation and the postpartum period that result in abnormal liver function tests, hepatobiliary dysfunction, or both. It occurs in 3% to 10% of all pregnancies.
Several disorders contribute to liver disease in pregnancy (Box 1). These include diseases induced by the pregnancy such as acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (IHCP), diseases that existed before pregnancy that could potentially flare during pregnancy such as autoimmune hepatitis and Wilson’s disease, and diseases not related to the pregnancy but that could affect the pregnant woman at any time during gestation such as viral hepatitis.
Diagnostic and Outcomes. The diagnosis of liver disease in pregnancy is challenging and relies on laboratory investigations. Signs and symptoms are often not specific and consist of jaundice, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The underlying disorder can have a significant effect on morbidity and mortality in both mother and fetus, and a diagnostic workup should be initiated promptly.
What is the most common cause of elevated liver enzymes?
Common causes of elevated liver enzymes include: Nonprescription pain medicines, particularly acetaminophen (Tylenol, others). Certain prescription medicines, including statins, which are used to control cholesterol. Drinking alcohol.
What causes liver problems during pregnancy?
Increased levels of estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy affect your liver’s ability to transport bile. This means your bile doesn’t move through your body, causing it to build up in your liver and enter your bloodstream.
How is cholestasis of pregnancy managed or treated?. Healthcare providers use a medication called ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA, ursodiol or Actigall®) to treat cholestasis of pregnancy. This medicine can improve your liver’s ability to function and reduce bile levels in your blood.
Treatments to manage the symptoms of cholestasis of pregnancy include:
- Anti-itch medicine (talk to your provider before taking any medication).
- Wearing soft and loose-fitting clothing.
- Rest.
- Soaking in a warm bath.
What does it mean when liver enzymes are high while pregnant?
A prospective cohort study aims to evaluate the associations of liver enzyme levels in the normal range with the subsequent risk of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia in pregnant women. Gestational hypertension (GH) and preeclampsia are severe adverse gestational complications, affecting 5-7 of pregnant women and responsible for over 70, 000 maternal deaths and 500, 000 fetal deaths worldwide annually. Abnormal liver function in pregnancy is recognized as an important risk factor for GH and PE, with liver enzymes such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) being biomarkers of hepatocellular damage and cholestatic liver disease. Recent multi-center cohort studies have shown that abnormal levels of ALT and AST in pregnancy confer a 1. 12- to 3-fold increase of PE risk. A prospective cohort study has demonstrated that abnormally elevated ALP and GGT levels are positively associated with blood pressure pattern during pregnancy. The International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy (ISSHP) recommends specific attention and antenatal care for pregnant women with abnormal ALT and AST levels (any one of which is 40 U/L) for their high risk of HDP.
How much liver is too much during pregnancy?
How much liver is safe during pregnancy?. Even though liver contains a high dose of vitamin A, eating a half a serving (or 1. 5 ounces) once or twice a month is probably safe for you or your baby. However, since the body stores excess vitamin A, eating even small portions more often can be toxic for your baby.
If you do occasionally eat liver, it’s essential to cook it all the way through to kill salmonella, a type of bacteria that can potentially lead to dangerous infections in you and your baby. To be sure liver is well done, make sure its juices run clear and there’s no pink left inside.
Is it safe to take cod liver oil during pregnancy?. Though cod liver oil is rich in vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids, it’s best to avoid taking it during pregnancy. Like cow’s liver, cod liver oil contains large amounts of preformed vitamin A.
📹 How Pregnancy Affects The Liver
Gestational Hyperbilirubinemia: Increased levels of estrogen during pregnancy can cause a mild increase in bilirubin levels, …
A few years ago my blood work returned elevated liver enzymes (AST/ALT) and also elevated bilirubin, so my doctor sent me to get a scan on my abdomen to see what was going on. My scan came out normal. He scratched his head and said he didn’t know why my liver tests were abnormal so he sent me to a specialist. It turns out the elevated bilirubin was due to me having Gilberts syndrome, a harmless liver condition in which the liver doesn’t properly process bilirubin. As far as the AST/ALT goes, it turns out these can be elevated for a number of different reasons, other than a damaged liver, such as bodily injury, exercise, taking vitamins, medication, and even having the flu. The specialist said taking vitamins can cause these test to be elevated because vitamins often come from China and there is no telling what’s in them. Anyway, I had actually gotten injured days before I did the initial blood test and I was taking vitamins and exercising a lot. So, he told me to stop taking vitamins and stop exercising for a week before I did another bloodwork test, my injury was also healed by that time. Sure enough, my tests came out normal this time, well, my billirubin was still elevated but that was because of the harmless Gilberts syndrome thing. Moral of the story is don’t panic, like I did, just because you have these tests come out abnormal because there’s a good chance it might just be a false alarm and also do some research on where your vitamins come from before you put them in your body.
I’ve been doing KETO since early August 2023. My type 2 diabetes is gone. My total cholesterol is 239. LDL is 155. Non HDL is 180. Glucose was 100. AlC is 5.1. My AST 26 (normal). My ALT is 52 (high). I don’t drink alcohol. I’ve lost 20 lbs. I eat only breakfast and dinner consists of meat/fish/chicken, cooked vegetables, and a big dark green salad with peppers, onion, tomatoes, cucumbers, a few tiny bits of cheddar cheese, sunflower sprouts, pumpkin seeds, two brazil nuts and high quality EVOO from Italy. For breakfast I have one slice of nitrate free/sugar free bacon and 2 or 3 eggs. My doctor has not contacted me yet with these results. If you read this Dr Berg I’d like to know could these bad numbers be related to doing KETO? I don’t know where to turn because I don’t trust my Primary/Cardiologist. I’ve had a fatty liver many years ago, but it cleared up. (I suppose you won’t read this because the article is 4 years old).
I have cirrhosis and other problems. Through power nutrition my AST went from 100 down to 38 (34 normal) AST 15, bilirubin 0.8, sodium 36. Meld from 14 to 8. Testosterone from 185 to 492. All in 6 months. I quit all drinking, don’t smoke, chew or even take any pain killers. Not even baby aspirin. Where’s my Coffee!
My doctor just told me that I went from 98 in my liver enzymes down to 58 in the normal is around 50. I’m not sure of the units but she said whatever I’m doing keep it up. I’m eating way more clean, and on the treadmill being way more active. Definitely getting easier and I enjoyed changing to eat healthier.
I have a lot of the symptoms of a damaged liver. I do know I have fatty liver I found out a few weeks ago. But My Blood tests show my liver is healthy. I turned the blood work around to good in 3 months simply by removing sugar. Now I am in a war to get the fat out. I ate way to much sugar and carbs over the past 3 years and it caught up to me. I drink maybe 4-6 beer in a year and 1-2 glasses of wine at new years and still have a damaged liver. So I can confirm sugar is evil
I did a blood test and my AST was 65 IU/L and my ALT was 136 IU/L. I had elevated liver enzymes. When I found out, I was stressed out about what the cause could be. My doctor sent me to get a liver ultrasound done to find out the cause. The results of the ultrasound came back and it was fatty liver. Fatty liver still sucks, but its not life threatening. I have crappy insurance and doctors, so the whole process of getting my blood test results back and then getting the ultrasound results, took almost 3 months. That was 3 months of me being stressed out, not knowing why my liver enzymes were high. I stupidly Googled the causes of elevated liver enzymes, and it kept coming back with cancer and other terrible answers. I don’t recommend google searching medical symptoms. It won’t help your stress. Google always wants to tell you, you have cancer or are dying. I see a lot of people in the comment sections of these articles stressing out about elevated liver enzymes, so I thought I’d share my experience. Hopefully it will help others not to worry. While elevated liver enzymes could potentially point to a serious issue, it rarely does. It’s most commonly fatty liver and not life threatening.
as mentioned by Dr Berg the AST results will come higher after a physical workout as muscle to release them during stress…my AST levels where 53 during a routine health checkup and i have been lifting weights just couple of days before the tests…i stopped working out after 7 days re did the test and my levels where 23..so please do make a note of this…
Hi Dr, first time I’ve ever made a comment on anything. 12 months ago Hba1c 7.1, diabetes in the family, cholesterol 5.7, high cholesterol in the family. Got introduced to you randomly. Certainly took the diagnosis seriously, doctor pushing for medication. Cut out all starchy carbs, sugar and processed foods. Heaps of veggies and leafy greens, Hba1c 5.1, cholesterol 4.5, and 20kg weight loss. Owe it all to you, thanks Eric. My doctor lost for words Dr Berg is the real deal!
My cholesterol levels, alt levels, and triglyceride levels, came back normal, but my AST is 53. I eat omega 3 rich foods, but don’t feel satiated normally. I also do this exercise 4 days a week: 1.\t40 push ups- 3 sets/50 second Bicycle crunches – 3 sets 2.\t50 second leg raises- 3 sets/15 renegade rows for each arm-15 push ups after 3. Goblet Squats – 3 sets of 15 reps/3 sets of russian twists-50 seconds 4. Squats- 3 sets of 25 reps/lateral raises-12 reps 15lbs 5. Calf raises – 3 sets of 35 reps/3 sets of romanian deadlifts-12 reps 6. 2 sets of 1:20 second planks Could this be due to the fact that I’m not eating enough to support my exercises?
I dont agree entirly. A normal ALT and an elevated AST does not mean cirhossis. In Europe AST isnt a used marker to define liver damage because its influenced by many things: diet, workout, hartdesease etc. For that reason in routine liver check up it isnt used. A simple workout a day before testing on AST can elevate AST. Sometimes it is added when ALT is elévated because the ratio between elevated AST and ALT where AST is more elevated than AST can be a reason for concerns. Please check up with your doctors that could combine bloodtesting and imaging of the liver. Ultrasound, CT, MRI and fibroscan combined with blood test will give answers. Livercirhossis is an extreme condition that needs to be diagnosed by a certified doctor. Lifestyle changes are a very good thing to do when you have elevated liver panel. Some damage is reversible some isnt but a healthy lifestyle contributes in healing the liver and in rare cases also in cirhossis.
I am a recovering addict and when I went to a comprehensive Treatment Center they did a blood test on me and they said that I have both liver alt and AST and they told me in simple terms that my liver is not working properly. I don’t have a family doctor. Im 27 and really scared. I was going to ask what you would recommend but I watched your article and I want to thank you for the information.
I’m an alcoholic and when I had my annual blood test the day after partying real hard my liver enzymes were through the roof! within 2 months of taking a green food supplement that contains refractance dried cereal grass juice powders and things of that sort, (along with high doses of milk thistle, molecularly distilled fish oils and phosphatidylcholine) I brought my enzymes down to the normal range. I still drank beer the whole time throughout the process. I also took high doses of vitamin C three times a day primarily before drinking my first few beers.
Back in 2019 I ended up with pneumonia while 7 months pregnant. I was sent to a hospital where they gave me 2 different types of antibiotics. With that apparently came very high liver levels. But no one there seemed to know what the cause was. I did a lot of research through tears. I found a couple of articles with the possibility of that being caused by antibiotics. The doctors were talking about taking my baby early and liver transplant. I demanded that they let me go home. Where I processed to detox my liver with lemon water, eating sardines and beet juice drinks. When I went home my liver level was around 1300. I fixed that without the doctors. In the hospital they were feeding me non-organic foods and chlorinated water.
If you drink alcohol a lot the following week and the next day get a blood test for liver function can your ALT slightly be elevated and a doctor can think your liver was inflamed but it actually wasnt and it was just slightly elevated liver enzymes from drinking a lot of alcohol and once you resume to drinking alcohol in moderation your enzymes will return to normal if the alt on the first test was between 56 to 58 on alt
Some Main Symptoms of Liver Damage: • Jaundice • Tired • Ascites – it looks like a beer gut or a pot belly. • Itchy Feet • Edema • Bloating • Spider Veins • Digestive Issues Ratios of Enzymes: • High AST and High ALT: Viral Hepatitis • High AST and Normal ALT: Cirrhosis • AST more than double than ALT: Alcoholic Liver Ways to Repair the Liver: 1. Healthy ketogenic diet 2. Intermittent Fasting 3. Avoid refined foods 4. Avoid alcohol 5. Avoid medications 6. Consume enough vegetables Thank you Dr Berg! 🐱👍🏿
God bless you……..ihave none alcoholic fatty liver .IV changed all my diet.iv noticed that I do have this sack around my Tommy it’s not too big thoug .IV used milk thistle but i had Avery bad itching and rach.and the itching all over my body it’s like needle sting especially around my joints .what can I do . please. Thank you so much for your great information and knowledge.
23 yr/old male in PA School. I haven’t worked out for a good while (months), started working out recently and got blood work w/ AST 187 & ALT 92, my PCP was extremely alarmed and I’m getting an U/S done when I’m referred to GI. Has anyone else ever experienced something like this before?! Also, I do not drink frequently!
general question – at what point should I be concerned? Meaning if my levels are 5-10 pts beyond those ranges? Or ignore that unless it gets to something like 2x the upper bound. Been KETO for a year plus now, but enzymes are actually slightly up. I’m very clean with my approach to Keto as well. I also don’t drink. My figures are roughly 10 pts above your upper thresholds. thank you!
Recently I had some lab tests done. My abnormal results are : Lymphs (Absolute) 3.3, Carbon dioxide 31, AST 64, ALT 57, WBC Esterase Abnormal trace, Occult blood Abnormal Trace, Triglycerides 177, Iron Bind.Cap.(TIBC) 508, UIBC 463, Iron saturation Alert low 9. Since currently I don’t have health insurance, I can’t go to a doctor right away. If you could at least tell me how concerning it might be, I’ll either get health insurance or fly back to my home country for treatment. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Is it a myth that the body only utilises (for muscles I guess) 20-30 grams of protein per serving? And that a higher intake per serving can damage the liver? I have heard this over and over again, and would like to hear your comments. It’s an issue I have not heard mentioned in connection with OMAD, so I suppose it’s a myth? Best regards Mette, Denmark
Treatment Summary: – Try Keto diet or just decrease your intake of carbs as carbs inflame your liver – Try intermittent fasting as your liver works hard when digesting food so fasting allows it to rest. In other words, try to condense your eating window! – Avoid white (refined) foods (ie. sugar, white bread, pasta, etc) – Eat a lot of veggies, especially raw (ie. salad) as they help detox the liver 🙂
blood work just came back today and doc told me that i have elevated liver enzyme & slight above average cholesterol. I was sick with a high fever and whole body shivers a week prior to it, so my doc just told me to eat healthy and exercise like i normally do. and here i was, craving some high carb food today..
This fluid the doctor talks about in the gut- I could move my stomach and hear it after not eating or drinking all day – I know there is fluid in the intestine but I could make it make sloshing sound – it does not really happen now my stomach has shrunk- I also heard if too much fluid is present it can really strain the heart
Dr. Berg, My daughter’s ALT is 63 and the gastrologist is very concerned. So, I am doing research on natural herbs to bring down the enzyme levels but I need to know your opinion. I bought some Milk thistle, Schisandra and Artichoke. I saw your other article where you say to get choline 300-400 mg of it. My 2nd Question, A rep at the health food store said to purchase N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine. Is this beneficial or should I return this? I am a nervous mama and I want to do this right. Thank you in advance,
What about supplements? Do they elevate ALT number? I don’t drink alcohol and eat for the most part healthy food including nuts, seeds, and green leafy vegetables. By the way my number for ALT is 54 and it is outside the range shown by my provider. It is flagged as high number. Your article indicates the range as 7 to 55. I am okay if I take into consideration your range. I do take lots of supplements such as vitamins C, D, B3, etc. I also take zinc, L’Arginine, Ashwagandha, Beet Roots extract, and occasionally Magnesium. Could these supplements be elevating my ALT number?
Last year I suffered with ascites, after few tests it was diagnosed as liver TB. As per Sonography report I had nonalcoholic fatty liver. During the treatment I suffered with pulmonary embolism too. Now I have been off medicine but still I feel pain in the right side when I cough or sneez . My sgpt reports are normal. I have put on lots of weight n always feel lethargic. Kindly suggest some remedy.
Does oxycodone or something along those lines hurt the liver, lets say 5mg pills 3 times a day? The reason I ask is because I was on those before for chronic back pain that wouldn’t go away, then in 2017 it seemed like I got cut off for no apparent reason, my liver was fine etc but I think my doctor thought I was addicted. Anyways, this forced me into taking tylenol 1 in great doses to try and control the pain. So for about 6 years or so I was taking around 200-300 tylenol 1 a month. Now my liver is all screwed up with fairly high numbers, my liver actually hurts and I can no longer take tylenol or anything for pain. On top of it all, I now have severe fatigue issues alongside the back pain, now joint pain in my hips and knees.. I was curious if it would have been better to stay on the proper pain medication all this time or end up in the position I am now? I am almost certain the doctor won’t prescribe even proper pain medication at this point.. I actually got cut off oxy because my doctor decided to not have anyone filling her prescriptions while she was on vacation for over a month, and when I brought it up to her she asked me what I did to control the pain and made the mistake of telling the truth, which was I was getting some off a friend.. That is what triggered her into cutting me off.. Kind of weird but whatever, I haven’t been on those pills for a long time, I just know they worked a lot better with a lot less of them compared to the tylenol 1 amounts I had to take.. You Americans can’t get tylenol 1 OTC but we can in Canada.
I have high ALT, but normal AST. All other tests are normal too. My doctor thinks it is because of the MCT oil I take, but from what I read that is not true. So I am confused as to what is causing high levels… She also stated that Verapamil, Flexeril, and Ubrelvy can elevate it. I take these for my migraines. Is any of this true?
Dr. Berg, do you ever think you could speak about people who can only eat certain foods like since I got sick and better I only eat cream of wheat and cornflakes the thought of eating anything else is not appealing and I heard that doctors are now looking into the disorder I think they diagnosed it during my research I found one women who only eats French fries nothing else her entire life but she can drink anything I ask because I’m going on three yrs and I wondered can the body just survive being it seems like I’m fine or should people who just eat certain foods really look into supplement drinks I have no mental disorder I got sick and just was eating cream of wheat and cornflakes and it became my only food! Thank you
My glucose was sky rocketed in 2021 when I landed in ER with stroke symptoms. Also my ALT and AST were normal though but they found non alcoholic fatty liver on the CT scan. They couldn’t find signs of stroke with any of their tests though. I later discovered about HE which can mimic a stroke and my symptoms matched. I am soo confused. I also was diagnosed with pnamonia that night as well. My ALT was abnormally showing low ( 11) an hour before at another ER because the hospitals were not listening to me
Did the food supplement ( vitamins like magnésium, dandelion, milk thistle, bromelain…) Bad for the liver ? I was surprise when i see that my liver enzymes were hight😱 ( the ultrasound IS ok), I avoid sugar, carbs etc…i do intermittent fasting almost everyday, I’m thin, I took Vitex with alcohol 60% in several month …for my fibroids, IS that the problème of my liver damage 🤔
Anyone have experience with liver stones?? Different than gallstones. The right side of my liver had stones in it. Did ultrasound, CT scan with contrast, MRCP finally caught what was going on in the liver. My bloodwork had always looked decent but I felt pain. Had an ERCP, stent put in liver duct due to narrowing, ruled out bile duct and pancreatic cancer, and had gallbladder removed due to stones in there too (for 13 years tried to hold on to it). Just wondering what causes liver stones specifically. I eat a clean diet but have developed major chemical sensitivities the last five years – I’m sure there’s a connection.
Dr Berg my total biliruben is 29 on the high side, I have itchy face and feel tired all the time, also my platlets are 130 on the low side. I don’t appear to be yellow, on my last scan I was told I had a fatty liver, i get overall back/romboid ache,no gallbladder issues showed,everything else on full blood count within normal range,diet pretty good, I had my appendix removed a few years ago.any ideas,not getting much luck with doctors.
Hi i have a question… i had a bbl elective surgery performed this past august and all of my bloodwork was good my iron was a 12.2… everything went fine no issues at all… its almost been a year and im scheduled for a tunny tuck this april 22… and i had previously went through a medical abortion 6weeks ago and wanted to get my bloodwork done myself before to make sure everything was good and hcg was gone before I turned my blood work over to them… Before I got the medical abortion I was trying to do it myself and consuming high doses of vitamin C then ultimately just went to the clinic on top of I’ve been taking multivitamins daily super charged ones plus floradix so when I got my lab work back my ALT was 73 and the other one was 56… I’ve never had high liver enzymes but it’s freaking me out and I had read that it could be due to too much vitamin consumption or iron do you know anything about this please I’m really worried I have to do my bloodwork in another week and I currently stopped taking any vitamins, thx so much
I recently had my labs done for an annual physical and had my AST. My AST, ALP, Bilirubin (.7), Proteins and Albumin (5.0). Lipids normal except high LDL. BMI is slightly under 30 Follow up showed normal HEP B, C and IRON. I had sever back pain in August and drank too much wine as a soporific and pain killer for two months. I didn’t drink for almost two weeks before my labs. My prior transaminases were in the mid low 20s. What should be my next steps? I’m anxious from reading stuff online about Cirrhosis etc. Also, my platelets are higher range of normal which is above my baseline.
I had covid. Blood tests were drawn before i left the hospital. My levels were fine in December 5. January 5 I had blood drawn again my levels were abnormally higher. Got blood drawn today and will wait for the results today. I’m a bit nervous I’m 30 years old. I’m not sure of covid has something to do with it
I get terrible sugar cravings if I don’t eat my whole gluten-free, soaked cooked grains, and want to gain some weight as well.With my level of acidity, a lot of acid meat doesn’t seem good,and I can’t digest food anyway.And I get diarrhoea from raw vegetables, so I mainly have cooked ones. Does Dr berg agree on that in my case, please?
My alt is at 477 due to a sarm supplement I was taking, how long will it take to come down, had a ultrasound done on my liver no damage by that but my gor bladder had some thickness around it, will it all heal its self up? Been drinking plenty of water, eating healthy, taking fish oil supplements and tudca to help it heal right
Okay so I’m 10 weeks pregnant high risk and having complications, my ALT, AST, BUN, iron, calcium are all low and my glucose is high. Does this mean I’m malnourished? I typically have 5lb full term babies and I am trying to get healthy but last baby I went all the way down to a hemoglobin of 6 while taking and eating everything possible to raise it. I feel like I’m failing.
@DrEricBergDC – I’ve been diagnosed with 8mm stones stuck in my gallbladder. Test results came back yesterday and been told my liver is failing. ALT – 771 GGT – 222 AP – 228 What’s the best and quickest way for me to Detox people. I’m not hearing good things from my doctors. Any advice from someone who had similar results to mine I’d greatly appreciate to hear from you. Symptoms currently – Breathing difficulty on and off like a weight is on my chest/lungs. Pain in my arm. I’ve had a CT scan recently on the heart/arteries and got my results there and EVERYTHING checked out ok there. If you’re reading this Dr Berg I really need your help/advice please. I’m taking your gallbladder formula which right now I don’t know if it is working or not
I just had an alt of 73 and ast 125. I’m panicking a bit! I took the test from Hone to look at testosterone levels and it was 2 drops of blood. Not sure if accurate. I was a heavy weekend drinker but have stopped completely and it’s been 3 weeks. I also lift weights 5 to 6 days a week and eat clean. Should I worry or just retest in a month or so?? I read lifting can affect it but that much? Thanks!!
Hi DrEric, I really need your help. My AST is 326, ALT is 94. I am really nervous !!! the ratio is >3, does it means something bad? my other medical test is normal except the Protein UR and Ketones a little high. I took cholesterol-lowering medication before, and ran out of the medicine at July. Which means I didn’t take such drug since July. However, my AST and ALT are both still soososo high… I am worried.
I had a liver panel done by my doctor. I am an active individual, mostly keto, athletic, and eat predominantly whole foods. The doctor flagged my ast/alt levels as high. The normal ranges on the test were more narrow than yours. ast; 10-40, alt 9-46. My levels were ast: 47, alt:54, these are both on the high end of your normal range. Should I be concerned?
I’ve had a high AST and normal/low ALT for 4 years. GT-level constantly touching the lower border. Very little alcohol but I’ve been using Narcotic ADD-medicine. I have ADD and Asperger. I have anxiety and depressive episodes once a month. I measure my liver once every year, but the doctors only ask me if i drink much alcohol, and then let it go. I’m a bit worried because my lungs have too much mucus that sometimes have traces of blood. My lungs sounds like i have astma, but I don’t. I’ve heard bad lungs can come from having a bad liver. I’m often somewhat sore in the middle of my stomach, affecting my breathing and after I’ve had a meal. I don’t smoke. I daily eat spinach with onions, garlic, olive oil, turmeric, ginger and lemon, and I have green tea a couple of times a week. Worst of all, my broter died in december from a bad liver and kidneys. He admitted he had drunken large quantities of alcohol the last time though. I’d love to hear some ideas.
My AST and ALT are in the 80’s and 90’s and Cholesterol shot up to 117 compared to 6 weeks ago! What in the world?! I did recently workout my lats seemingly way too hard and they were severely sore for over a week. Could be part of it idk. Last few blood test a couple months ago everything was well in normal range!
I had surgery one month ago having my breast implants removed. My glucose came back 105 😬 (always in 95 range) and alt-49/ast-46….could this be from having such an invasive surgery? I’m not taking any medications, I weigh 125 at 5’2…. I actually started acv with lemon 🍋 three days prior to my blood test… any input would be helpful Dr. Berg
Dr. Berg, what if both my AST & ALT are both over 250? These numbers went up from a slightly above range from one month to another. The only difference within that time frame was training everyday up to twice a day (resistance training and cardio). I have left great. Only complaint I may have is the little belly you discussed, which may just be fat that I am still trying to cut, and improper digestion, which occurs every time I diet. I IF 20/4 and am in a caloric deficit at approx 1,400 calories (P 122G, C 106g, F 54G). Male, 40 years old, 5’8″, 175 lbs, 21% BF. Please advise. I was also taking a fat burner within that time frame which I am no longer taking.
My ast is 10 and they said thats too low my alt is 9. They said thats a low func liver ? Im suspecting i have a mold or micro toxin in my gut . Carbs hurt my kidneys, having horrible symptoms on and off ..i have had 11 days zero symptoms then horrible again. Im low iron and b12 . Taking sup for that . Had a ulcer,Poop floats . Waiting on gut zoomer test. On and off low grade fever. Low histamine diet helps alot . Fermented food gives me severe anxiety. Im lost on what to do ? Any articles on this ?
I am a huge beer drinker, and I mean HUGE. Probably 35 beers per week for most of my 20s. I am 28. However, my liver enzymes have never once been out of range. I do, however, seem to be having loose stools for quite some time. I am guessing my gut health is not the best. I am going to drastically cut back.
I also take perfect amino I take five morning if I don’t work out then I don’t take none at night but on the days that work out I take 10 a day could this cause my liver enzymes to be elevated also on the day that I took the test I drink, coffee with cream and sugar went to the appointment to have my blood drawn
I was wondering when alcohol is mentioned, could ‘alcoholic liver’ and other similar problems be caused by the conversion of sugars in a high sugar diet? High sugar, of course, meaning the new western refined food/processed food diet which contains inordinate amounts of sugars compared to what western world humans used to eat. So, wondering whether if you don’t drink much or anything typically, still, can you be examined or diagnosed to have some kind of alcohol related disorder? Thanks Doctor.
Dr.berg my son was 3 half year old.his is not a fat boy.his alt asp are slightlyhigh when born.now their values are 161 172. We have done ultra sound too..everything is normal.Donno what happened.my doctor kept him on zinc for 14days.we donno how to proceed.is toddler age eligible for keto??what is the reason for high alt asp from birth.please please reply me Dr.Berg what will be the reason .tell me how to proceed.he is just a little toddler. I am very much worried about my son Plssss help me Dr.berg.
I have a low alt doc im so scared they wont help me. Im afraid im going to die. Im at 98 pounds and my bloodwork is HORRIBLE anything to do with liver is out of whack. Low bilirubin low alt high protein low alkaline whacked out bun and everything says malnourished malnutrition but i eat like a pig just cant gain weight. No doctors will help me around my area I need a doc who cares so bad. Im a 30 yr old mother of 3 who just beat cervical cancer yest.
My ast is 33 and my alt is 51 I was sick when I took that blood test I think that’s why my ast was high I won’t know untill I go back but my alt has been fluctuating from mid 40s to 51 the highest since 2021 they told me I have fatty liver from being fat and to go on the Mediterranean diet and lose some weight I have added more greens and fruits and cut out some of the garbage i was eating daily I also got on fish oil supplements b supplements and milk tussle to try and help my liver enzymes. I’m nervous to get another blood test it’s been 2 months since my last and I go every 3 months.
How do people get their 2-3k daily calories in fasting and eating around only dinner time? You’d have to have a huge stomach to be able to fit so much food in one or two sittings. I’m 6’4 about 180 so I wear about a 34-36. I gotta say If I dont get my 5 or so meals in a day I’m afraid of losing more weight. Does the fasting make my body hold onto more of my body weight even I eat less when I fast as a way to protect its self? I just can’t imagine eating 1k calories for lunch then another 1500 for dinner every day so maybe this is done only once a week?
I have elevated ALT and AST. the last time I checked my ALT was 92 U/L and AST 41 U/L. My GP has tested me for hepatitis and all other tests came negative and I’m not on any medication as well. All I take is folic acid n I drink very occasionally. I’m waiting for my appointment with the liver specialist. Does anyone had the same problem?
I had a gallbladder liver and kidney function blood test a few years ago when having digestive issues – I did not request it but maybe we can ask our doctors I suppose,for one. Would that type of test be fairly conclusive for diagnosis or would a multi layered test approach be required in tandem with such a test.
Are high liver enzymes and LDL normal in the beginning with a keto diet? Hi all, I just started Keto in early November after NAFLD showed up on my ultrasound. I had blood tests done in September which seemed normal. The tests I had done a few days ago are now showing high LDL(9.51 mmol/l) high ALT(68 units/L) and high Gamma GT levels(61 units/L).The good thing is my HDL (1.14 mmol/l) is now higher and my triglycerides(1.66 mmol/l) are lower. Is it normal that these levels will be higher the first few months? Before I speak to my doctor who would want me to stop keto and go on a statin. I’ve been eating a healthy keto diet after seeing Doctor Eric Berg’s articles and skipping breakfast to fast. So far I went from weighing 99kg to 88.4kg. My typical meals are: Lunch: grilled chicken, salad, half avocado, topped with salt, lemon and olive oil. 40g of blueberries. Dinner: grilled salmon, salad or grilled veggies such as zucchini, topped with salt, olive oil, lemon and parsley. Drinks: 8-10 cups of water a day and 1-2 cups plain green tea per day. No alcohol or medications.
Hi doctor, my ggt liver enzyme is high around 200-260 when it is supposed to be 0-70. Alt is sometimes high as well just a bit around 74 when it should be 9-60. I am not sure what is causing it. I stopped multivitamins and 5HTP, it has been high for a year and recently went up to 260 but started to take cbd and PEP. Could you offer some guidance as I was only on omeprazole when it was on 130? They did a ultrasound, a ct scan and a fibro scan and the liver was reported as being well. Could you guide me?
Hi, I have PKD and PLD. 3 years ago I had very high liver enzymes. Went to a specialist and they gave me Ursodiol for the rest of my life. 2 years later they were back to almost normal, so I stopped the meds. I do have a large liver with thousands of cysts. I try not to take medicine for pain but I get migraines. Do you know if this diet is ok for PKD. I still have good kidney function, my mane problem is my liver. Thanks