ethnoscience

An increased level of alat is called. Reasons when ALT is elevated

What do blood tests for ALAT and AST show? Your doctor will tell you about this. ALAT and ASAT are 2 enzymes that participate in biochemical reactions.
The abbreviation stands for as follows: ALAT (ALT) - alanine aminotransferase or simply aminotransferase, ASAT (AST) - aspartate aminotransferase or simply aspartate.

Essence of the question

These enzymes transport amino acids from one molecule to another. Amino acids play a major role in the construction of proteins. ALAT contains the amino acid alanine (hence the name ALAT), and ASAT contains asparagine and the enzyme pyridoxine (vitamin B 6). There is a list of organs in which these enzymes are synthesized, in descending order, i.e. the organ with the most enzyme will be in first place on the list.

ALAT is present in:

liver,
kidneys,
heart,
in skeletal muscles.

ACAT is present in:

heart,
liver,
brain cells,
muscle tissue of skeletal muscles.

There are specially established numbers (limit) by which the doctor sees the condition of the listed organs. If cell destruction occurs, then their integrity is compromised, and enzymes enter the blood. Depending on which enzyme is more present in the blood test, a conclusion can be drawn about the condition of the corresponding organ.

Norms of indicators

Norm number of units per 1 liter of blood:

ALT - in men up to 40 units/l, and in women up to 32 units/l;
AST - in men from 15 - 31 units/l, and in women from 20 - 40 units/l.

What is a biochemical blood test? When a study is carried out in laboratory conditions, this is a biochemical analysis. It is a guideline for the attending physician, since it shows a complete picture of the work of all vital organs:

liver,
pancreas,
kidney,
gallbladder, etc.

This analysis considers the following indicators:

blood glucose levels;
bilirubin;
ASAT and ALAT;
gamma - GT;
alkaline phosphatase;
cholesterol;
LDL (bad fats);
triglycerides;
total protein;
albumen;
potassium;
sodium;
chlorine;
createnine;
urea and uric acid;
C-reactive protein (CRP);
iron.

If there is a deviation from the norm of one or another indicator, it becomes clear to the doctor what exactly needs to be regulated or treated.

Preparing to submit material for research

If the patient is taking any medications, then most likely, shortly before the test, the doctor will stop the drug that can change the accuracy of the blood test. Donate blood in the morning on an empty stomach (last meal 12 hours before).

To prepare for the analysis you need:

1. Avoid alcohol the day before donating blood.
2. Give up cigarettes within an hour.
3. Chewing gum should also not be chewed.
4. You can’t drink any liquids either.

For analysis, blood is taken from a vein. The answer will be in one day. Deciphering the analysis without medical knowledge is impossible, so consultation with a doctor is necessary.

In most cases, elevated ALAT levels are associated with liver pathology. This is a sign that there is a disease of this organ. It should be noted that in a biochemical blood test, the level of this enzyme is higher than normal 1 or 4 weeks before the onset of symptoms of the disease. And in the acute period of the disease, the indicators increase almost 10 times.

In 1 minute, the liver can cleanse or neutralize up to a million molecules of toxic substances, and in about an hour - up to 100 liters of blood. Sometimes for some reason the cells are damaged, the contents of the cells come out and enter the blood. If such indicators are high in a biochemical blood test, this will mean that cell destruction is occurring in the body.

Why does the ALAT enzyme increase in the blood?

There can be many reasons for increasing the amount of ALAT enzyme:

excess fat deposited in liver cells;
hepatitis, jaundice;
cirrhosis;
taking medications, for example Paracetamol or antibiotics;
chemical poisoning;
tumor, cancer or metastases;
myocardial infarction, heart surgery;
muscle injuries;
alcohol addiction.

If the body does not have enough vitamin B6, the level of this enzyme in the blood will decrease.
The liver is a unique organ that can recover in 3 months if treated.

ACAT, like the previous enzyme, transports (transfers) amino acids from molecule to molecule. It contains vitamin B6. As a result of the work of enzymes, glucogens are formed (sugars, but not from carbohydrates), which support the body during exercise, fasting, when energy is needed, i.e. this enzyme is a participant in energy exchange.

The difference between these two enzymes is that an increased level of ASAT in the blood warns primarily of heart disease, more precisely, of myocardial infarction. The largest share of the ACAT enzyme is found in muscle tissue - the myocardium and muscles. In other organs their concentration is lower.

When taking the test, a person’s age and gender matter. Since muscles play a leading role in this analysis, men have more muscle mass than women, and accordingly, the indicators will be high. In children, the rates will be higher due to the active development of the muscular skeleton.

Indicators will be changeable in pregnant women. Increased levels of the hormone estrogen affect the liver, so increases in ALT and AST in pregnant women are considered normal. But if high levels are accompanied by toxicosis, then urgent treatment is required, because it can be dangerous for both the baby and the mother. If a pregnant woman does not eat properly, she may become deficient in vitamin B6, and then a blood test will show a decrease in AST and ALT levels.

Why does the ASAT level deviate from the norm?

The reasons for the increase and decrease in AST levels are almost the same as with ALT, only if with ALAT the condition of the liver is put in the foreground, then in the case of AST - the heart and muscles.

Some of the reasons:

1. Heart - myocardial infarction, coronary insufficiency, heart surgery, angina pectoris, tachycardia, rheumatic carditis, arterial blood clots.
2. Liver.
3. Gallbladder.
4. Pancreas.

After receiving laboratory tests, doctors are left to determine the disease process of the organ in which the disturbances occurred. What is needed to normalize the level of ALT and AST enzymes:

1. Do not drink alcohol, even in small doses.
2. Review medications and, if necessary, change medications.
3. Cure inflammatory processes in the body.
4. Take a course of liver or heart treatment.
5. Change your lifestyle, in particular, review your diet. Avoid unhealthy fats and include healthy foods in your diet.

All treatment should be carried out under the supervision of a doctor in order to properly normalize enzyme levels. Usually, if AST or ALT is abnormal, a hepatologist or cardiologist is consulted.

Medicines that increase the level of these enzymes:

Heparin;
antibiotics;
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs);
antifungal;
anticonvulsants;
lowering blood sugar;
fluoroquinolones - antimicrobial drugs;
nitrofurans - antibacterial drugs;
stanina - cholesterol-lowering drugs.

If the body lacks vitamin B6, then enzyme activity will be reduced. In this case, it is useful to eat foods rich in this vitamin:

1. Sprouted grains, any.
2. Walnuts.
3. Legumes, soybeans, cereals.
4. Vegetables - carrots, cabbage, spinach, tomatoes.
5. Strawberries, lemon, oranges, cherries.
6. Meat and dairy products, eggs, fish.

Normalizing enzyme levels is not difficult, you just need to take the appropriate test and follow the doctor’s instructions.

Alanine aminotransferase (also ALT, AlAT) is a protein enzyme that is responsible for transporting certain molecules and accelerating biochemical processes involving amino acids.

ALTs are found mostly in organ tissue cells. In healthy people, ALT in the blood cannot be elevated, since if ALT is released into the blood, a serious disease is probably occurring in some part of the body.

Most of ALT is found in the liver; it can also be found in the kidneys, heart muscle, nerve connections, and lungs. Damage to the listed organs and tissues can cause an increase in ALT in the blood.

Optimal value in the body

This parameter is measured in units per liter of blood. ALT is age dependent in childhood and gender dependent in adults.

Children under one year: no more than 55 units/l

Children 1-3 years old: no more than 34 units/l

Children 3-6 years old: no more than 30 units/l

Children 6-12 years old: no more than 39 units/l

Men: no more than 45 units/l

Women: no more than 35 units/l

The norm in this case is not a strict only possible value, but an approximate evaluation criterion. In some laboratories, devices may have varying degrees of sensitivity, which means the results of the analysis should be discussed with the attending physician of this medical institution.

Alanine aminotransferase is elevated, what does this mean?

According to the degree of difference between the actual result of the analysis and the value accepted as the norm, the following are distinguished:

Slight increase (200-500%);
Moderate increase (up to 1000%, that is, 10 times more);
Pronounced (more than 10 times higher than normal).

The second and third stages most likely indicate that increased ALT in the blood is a consequence of the disease, and the third case occurs in those patients in whom serious organ destruction has already begun.

In addition to the diseases that we will discuss below, elevated ALT may be associated with the following confounding factors:

Muscle injuries;
Burns;
Intramuscular injections given the day before;
Heavy weight (body mass index exceeds 30);
Taking medications (estrogens, antibiotics, cholestatics, heparin, oral contraceptives, anti-epileptic drugs, warfarin, echinacea, valerian, etc.);
Mononucleosis;
Pregnancy (third semester), provided that the ALT level is slightly increased;
Chemotherapy;
Drug use;
Lead intoxication;
Laboratory inaccuracies.

In order to get a reliable result, you need to donate blood on an empty stomach, 12 hours after your last meal. Refrain from alcoholic beverages a week before going to the clinic, and from smoking an hour before donating blood. Try not to worry or become physically overloaded. If you doubt the reliability of the blood test, take it to another laboratory.

To determine whether ALT is normal or elevated in the blood, blood is often taken from a vein, but in some cases also from capillaries.

Causes and diseases when ALT is elevated in the blood

Since the enzyme under study can be retained in various organs, it may indicate problems with their health. Let’s look at what “ALT is elevated” means in each specific case.

Liver diseases

The largest amount of ALT, as already mentioned, is located here; it is not surprising that this analysis is recognized as a timely detection and treatment of liver diseases.

Steatosis

The accumulation of fat in liver cells affects the fact that ALT is increased by 2 times. But if the painful condition worsens to steatohepatitis, ALT will increase much more, and bilirubin levels will also increase.

Hepatitis

If ALT is elevated in a blood test, but symptoms of the disease have not yet appeared, it may be hepatitis A. Symptoms usually linger, and through timely blood testing, the recovery process can be accelerated.

With hepatitis B and C, ALT increases even 100 times, since the toxic effect of the virus distributed in the liver is especially great on its cells.

Chronic hepatitis causes an increase in ALT during an exacerbation, but the increase usually occurs no more than 3-4 times.

Other symptoms of hepatitis include pain and discomfort in the right side, under the ribs, a bitter taste in the mouth, yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes, whites of the eyes, and abnormal bowel movements.

Cirrhosis

Very high ALT in the blood may not be observed in cirrhosis. ALT will increase, but 1-5 times the norm. This is explained by the replacement of liver cells with connective tissue.

Liver cancer

Typically, malignant tumors in the liver appear in people with hepatitis. The extent to which alanine aminotransferase is elevated helps decide whether to further treat the cancer with surgery. For example, if ALT is very high, the operation has a high risk of complications.

Autoimmune hepatitis

A disease more common among women than men. To clarify its presence or absence, the doctor may prescribe a biopsy.

Heart

Diseases of the heart, or rather the heart muscle, are primarily indicated by another analysis - AST, but along with it, ALT is also used for diagnosis.

Myocardial infarction

Death of part of the heart muscle, as a result of which a certain amount of AST and ALT enters the blood. If the AST analysis is greatly increased and alanine transaminase is increased by 5 times, the reasons should be sought in the possibility of myocardial infarction.

Other symptoms: sharp pain in the area of the heart, radiating to the left upper side of the body, the pain can last for half an hour or more, the patient experiences shortness of breath, dizziness, panic fear of dying, weakness.

Myocarditis

Just as for other diseases of the heart muscle, myocarditis cannot be diagnosed solely on the basis that ALT is elevated. The reasons for this can be varied. Often, to clarify the diagnosis, an AST analysis is also considered and the de Ritis coefficient equal to ALT/AST is calculated.

Symptoms include shortness of breath, weakness, and rapid fatigue of the patient.

Heart failure, rheumatic heart disease, and recent heart surgery can also cause an increase in ALT in the blood.

Pancreas

Pancreatitis

The disease can occur in acute or chronic form. An increase in ALT indicates an exacerbation stage. It is advisable for people suffering from pancreatitis to regularly donate blood for an ALT test.

Elevated ALT in a blood test can be an alarm bell of some serious and even destructive diseases, or it can be a common mistake or a normal reaction of the body. Your further examination will determine the speedy diagnosis and possible treatment.

Leave your comments with questions and suggestions below.

Alanine aminotransferase, or ALT, and aspartate aminotransferase, or AST, are enzymes found in body cells that are involved in amino acid metabolism. They are located only in the cells of organ tissues, and enter the bloodstream only when the cell disintegrates due to traumatic injuries or pathologies.

Types of diseases

Excessive ALT content indicates the development of pathology of the organ in the cells of which its largest amount exists. The causes of increased alanine aminotransferase are liver pathologies. A feeling of discomfort and pain in the right hypochondrium, diarrhea, icteric discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes, flatulence, and bitter belching are signs of an increase in ALT. When conducting a blood test, increased ALT and AST are accompanied by an increase in bilirubin levels when hepatitis develops. More often, an increase in ALT levels indicates the occurrence of other diseases. The concentration of ALT has a direct relationship with the severity of the pathology.

The necrotic process in the heart muscle causes the release of these enzymes into the blood. Their increased content in the serum also indicates the development of other cardiopathologies: failure, inflammation of the heart muscle. Additionally, the reasons for the increase in serum ALT concentration may be existing injuries in the body, which are associated with damage to muscle tissue, and pancreatitis.

If the ALT and AST blood test (interpretation) showed less than twice the normal values, it is necessary to organize observation and a 2-fold examination. This tactic is optimal for patients.

Blood test ALT and AST - interpretation for some diseases

A slight increase in transferases is indicative of fatty liver damage of the non-alcoholic type, including “fatty liver”, non-alcoholic steatohepatosis, and chronic viral hepatitis.

A moderate increase may exist in viral or alcoholic liver inflammation and various chronic liver diseases with or without cirrhotic damage.

Elevated levels are typical of severe acute hepatitis, toxic or drug necrosis, shock or hepatic ischemia.

Excessively high levels (more than 2000-3000 U/l) exist with an overdose of acetaminophen and when using the drug in alcohol-dependent patients, with shock and/or hepatic ischemia.

It should be noted that since ALT is found in red blood cells, it is necessary to prevent their breakdown when preparing serum for analysis. ALT may decrease when serum is stored for several days.

The role of medicines, herbs and other substances

A thorough history and interpretation of laboratory results are important to identify drug-induced increases in transferases. Similar liver damage is detected in 1-2% of cases of chronic liver inflammation. They are associated with the use of antibiotics, antiepileptic drugs, hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and medications for the treatment of tuberculosis.

The easiest way to determine the dependence of an increase in aminotransferases with some drug is to cancel it and observe the level of enzymes. Without discontinuing the drug, this dependence cannot be determined.

It is necessary to evaluate the AST indicator together with the ALT indicator. These are the so-called “liver” tests, by which one can judge the activity of the process. Sometimes an increase in these indicators is the only symptom indicating the development of a serious disease.

The AST test is not expensive, and it can be done in absolutely any laboratory.

What is ALT in a blood test?

ALT, or alanine aminotransferase, in a blood test is an intracellular enzyme that is involved in cell metabolism, in particular in the breakdown of the amino acid alanine. Most alanine aminotransferase is found in liver cells, less in the myocardium, skeletal muscles and kidneys.

An increase in ALT in a blood test occurs with any damage to hepatocytes (liver cells). An increase in the enzyme is observed already in the first hours after damage and gradually increases depending on the activity of the process and the number of damaged cells.

An increase in alanine aminotransferase is most typical for liver diseases (hepatitis of various origins, toxic damage, cirrhosis, etc.).

Depending on the concentration of ALT in a biochemical blood test, one can judge the degree of hepatitis activity (hepatitis can be with minimal, medium or high degrees of enzymatic activity), which is necessarily indicated in the clinical diagnosis. It happens that hepatitis occurs without an increase in this enzyme. Then they talk about liver damage without enzymatic activity.

Generally speaking, blood levels of ALT and AST are elevated in hepatitis and reflect the degree of cytolysis - destruction of liver cells. The more active the cytolysis, the less favorable the prognosis of the disease.

Norms of AST and ALT in blood tests

Reference values are normally very low and depend on gender and age. For example, both indicators are higher for men than for women.

Table of AST and ALT norms for adult men and women:

Reasons for increased AST and ALT

Alanine and aspartic aminotransferase may be elevated in many diseases.

Reasons for increased AST in blood tests:

Acute myocarditis;
Myocardial infarction;
Pulmonary embolism;
Acute rheumatic carditis;
Unstable angina;
Various myopathies;
Injuries to skeletal muscles (severe sprains, tears);
Myositis, myodystrophy;
Various liver diseases.

Reasons for increased ALT in the blood:

Liver cirrhosis (toxic, alcoholic);
Acute pancreatitis;
Cholestasis, cholestatic jaundice;
Alcoholic liver damage;
Fatty hepatosis;
Acute and chronic viral hepatitis (hepatitis C, hepatitis B)
Malignant neoplasms of the liver and biliary tract, liver metastases;
Alcoholism;
Severe burns;
Taking hepatotoxic drugs (oral contraceptives, psychotropic drugs, antitumor drugs, chemotherapy drugs, sulfonamides, etc.)

If detected in a blood test, you must immediately consult a doctor to find out the cause of this phenomenon, since an increase in these indicators often means the presence of serious diseases.

Reduced AST and ALT

In practice, sometimes there are cases when AST or ALT levels become below normal. This can happen with severe and extensive liver necrosis (for example, in the case of advanced hepatitis). A particularly unfavorable prognosis is associated with a decrease in AST and ALT levels against the background of a progressive increase in bilirubin.

An important reason for the decrease in alanine and aspartic aminotransferase is the depletion of vitamin B6 reserves - pyridoxine.

The fact is that vitamin B6 is necessary for the normal synthesis of AST and ALT. A decrease in B6 concentration may be associated with long-term antibiotic treatment. You can compensate for its deficiency with the help of medications (intramuscular administration of the vitamin) and diet. The largest amounts of pyridoxine are found in cereal sprouts, hazelnuts, walnuts, spinach, legumes, soybeans, fish and eggs.

Decreased liver enzymes can also occur as a result of liver injury (for example, rupture of the organ). However, such conditions are extremely rare.

Normal transaminases in a child

The limits of normal values for AST and ALT largely depend on the age of the child:

An increase in the activity of AST and ALT in the blood of a child, as well as in adults, indicates the impact of damaging factors on hepatocytes. But, unlike in adults, this increase is rarely associated with acute and chronic hepatitis.

An increase in AST and ALT in a child’s blood may indicate the presence of infectious diseases (leptospirosis, pseudotuberculosis, infectious mononucleosis) and congenital malformations.

Often, the increase in liver enzymes is secondary, that is, it develops following some kind of pathology. For example, an increase in the concentration of AST and ALT can occur with myocardial dystrophy, leukemia, lymphogranulomatosis, vasculitis, etc.

It happens that AST and ALT in children increase in response to taking certain medications, for example, aspirin, paracetamol. It is also important to remember that AST and ALT may remain elevated for some time after recovery from an infectious disease.

AST and ALT during pregnancy

An increase in AST and ALT during pregnancy may be the first symptom of gestosis, a condition that threatens the life of the mother and fetus. Therefore, even a slight increase in the concentration of transaminases requires urgent consultation with a doctor. He will assess the health of the expectant mother, track indicators over time and, if necessary, prescribe an examination.

In the blood of a pregnant woman, the concentration of the hormone estrogen increases, which affects the liver (this is especially true in the first trimester). That is why a slight increase in AST and ALT levels in early pregnancy is considered normal.

As for the third trimester, there should be no increase in transaminases during this period. If deviations in the biochemical analysis appear during this period, the woman must be examined without delay so as not to miss the onset of the development of gestosis.

Preparing for the test

The result of any biochemical test, including a blood test for AST and ALT, largely depends on how to prepare for it.

Rules that will help you avoid false research results:

Tests must be taken strictly on an empty stomach, at least after an 8-hour fast. You can drink clean water in any quantity. It is recommended to exclude coffee, carbonated drinks, juices and teas during the preparation period. As for alcoholic beverages, it is not recommended to consume them a week before blood sampling for AST and ALT.
For 3 days, eliminate foods rich in animal fats from your diet. Eat food that is steamed, baked or boiled. Fried foods must be strictly limited, or better yet, completely excluded.
Three days before the expected analysis, you need to stop intense physical activity.
Blood sampling should be carried out in the morning, from 7 to 11 am.
If you are taking medications, it is advisable to stop them 3 days before the test. But before doing this, it is important to consult a doctor.
Try to get tested in the same laboratory.
Once you receive the result, be sure to contact your doctor to correctly interpret the results and, if necessary, continue the examination.

The enzyme ALT or alanine aminotransferase fulfills its purpose inside cells. The peripheral blood contains a small amount of it. When cells are destroyed as a result of damage to any organ, ALT enters the blood, representing an important diagnostic indicator.

What is alanine aminotransferase needed for and where is it found?

Alanine aminotransferase plays an important role in the body, participating in the metabolism of amino acids, in particular the essential amino acid alanine. It, in turn, plays a role in providing energy to the central nervous system, strengthening the immune system, regulating metabolism and producing lymphocytes.

Where is ALT found:

Liver (most of all);
Kidneys;
Lungs;
Pancreas;
Muscles;
Heart.

ALT analysis, rules and standards

The ALT indicator is included in the biochemical blood test along with other transaminases. The test must be taken on an empty stomach, in the morning. Eliminate alcohol for a week. At least eight hours must pass after dinner. All this is important to obtain reliable data. Taking some medications affects the ALT level, which is why when taking oral contraceptives, aspirin, paracetamol, warfarin, be sure to tell your doctor about this.

A blood test is taken from a vein

Reasons for increased ALT

An increase in ALT in the blood occurs as a result of cell destruction. What diseases lead to this?

Hepatitis is an acute or chronic inflammatory process in the liver of an infectious or nutritional-toxic nature. Viral hepatitis develops when infected with hepatitis viruses (A, B, C, D, E and F). Moreover, the disease can be asymptomatic for a long time. For example, viral hepatitis C is therefore called the “gentle killer”, since for a long time, damaging liver cells, it does not show itself in any way. Cirrhosis eventually develops. Alimentary-toxic hepatitis develops under the influence of substances that destroy liver cells. In particular, it is caused by long-term alcohol consumption.

This is the effect of large doses of alcohol on the liver

Liver cirrhosis is the outcome of all liver lesions, when destroyed cells are replaced by connective tissue, and it can no longer perform its functions. All this leads to liver failure and severe complications.

It is worth noting that, in addition to ALT, acute hepatitis is accompanied by an increase in other transaminases (AST, GGTP), and the level of bilirubin also increases.

Pancreatitis is damage to the pancreas with necrosis of its tissue. The reasons for the development are abuse of fatty foods and alcohol or stones in the bile ducts. Patients with chronic pancreatitis need to check this indicator throughout their lives to prevent exacerbation.

Myocardial infarction is the destruction of a section of the heart as a result of occlusion of the supply artery. When cardiomyocytes die, ALT in the blood will also be increased. In addition, the level of AST also increases, and to a greater extent than ALT, since its content in heart cells is much higher. Thus, deciphering the biochemical analysis can show why ALT and AST are increased.

The predominant increase in ALT over AST will be with liver damage, and if vice versa - with heart damage.

Myocarditis is an inflammatory heart disease characterized by damage to the heart muscle. In this situation, the blood test is also characterized by increased concentrations of ALT and AST.

Burns, frostbite, multiple organ failure, extensive trauma - all these conditions are accompanied by a significant increase in ALT.

Also, oncological processes in the above-mentioned organs are the reasons when ALT is elevated.

When ALT is low

Reduced ALT levels are possible with a deficiency of folic acid and certain vitamins. In liver cirrhosis, a decrease in ALT is a poor prognostic sign, indicating a complete absence of remaining healthy cells.

Pregnancy

During pregnancy, in the first trimester, a slight increase in ALT is possible. There is nothing scary about this, it is physiological and related to the pregnancy itself. If ALT increases significantly and characteristic symptoms appear, you should urgently consult a doctor for examination.

Symptoms

Symptoms of increased alanine transaminase in the blood are varied. The clinical picture is determined by the affected organ and the disease that led to it.

From the liver

A characteristic symptom of liver cirrhosis is “head of the jellyfish”, a combination of ascites and varicose veins of the abdominal wall

If the liver is damaged, pain in the right hypochondrium, nausea, and vomiting are possible. Yellowness of the skin and icterus of the sclera are possible. With a viral etiology, there may be hyperthermia. When cirrhosis has developed, rashes like spider veins appear on the body, and an enlarged abdomen due to ascites (accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity).

Varicose veins (esophagus, stomach), which can be complicated by bleeding. Multiple organ failure gradually develops.

From the pancreas

Pancreatitis is manifested by severe pain in the abdomen, in the navel area, swelling, repeated vomiting, weakness, and subsequent clouding of consciousness.

From the side of the heart

The main symptom of myocardial infarction is severe, burning pain behind the sternum, which can spread to the left arm, jaw, and under the shoulder blade.

A painless form of heart attack is possible, or an atypical one, when the pain is localized in the abdomen, or severe shortness of breath develops. In addition to pain, heart rhythm disturbances and a drop in blood pressure are possible. Concerned about severe weakness, fear of death, chills.

If there is an oncological process in the affected organ, severe weight loss in a short period of time, weakness, and increased fatigue are possible.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of the disease and the causes of increased ALT is carried out by doctors using all available research methods. In many cases, on an emergency basis, since among them there are life-threatening diseases that lead to disability.

A correctly interpreted biochemical blood test can lead to the right diagnostic path. Thus, there is the concept of the de Retis index, which is the ratio of increased AST and ALT. Its norm is 0.91-1.75.

If it exceeds two, then the reason is in the heart muscle. If it is less than one, then the liver is affected.

In the hospital, a full examination is carried out, which also includes MRI or X-ray CT, extensive blood and urine tests. Invasive methods are also used, such as puncture biopsy and angiography of cardiac vessels. All this allows you to quickly make a correct diagnosis and begin treatment.

Treatment

In order to reduce ALT levels, it is necessary to cure the disease that led to this, after which the ALT level will return on its own.

An approximate set of products for patients with liver and pancreas diseases

Severe diseases such as pancreatic necrosis, extensive myocardial infarction, severe hepatitis complicated by multiple organ failure are treated in the intensive care unit.

The treatment of each disease is specific and there is no point in describing it. A few words can be advised to people taking medications that affect the liver, as well as abusing alcohol. In such cases, it would be useful to periodically take a course of hepatoprotectors (Carsil, Essentiale) and at least somehow protect the liver cells from damage, thereby lowering ALT.

For many diseases, such as pancreatitis, hepatitis, diet is very important. Reduce consumption or completely eliminate everything fatty, spicy, smoked, salty and alcohol. To prevent exacerbations, a healthy lifestyle should become your goal in itself!