Bummer. What would you do?

LilPsychotic

LilPsychotic

Well-known member
So, I was gearing up for a cycle to start this weekend, taking my supports, and got some bloodwork done pre-cycle. One of my liver enzymes was elevated. My ALT was 85. AST, Alkaline Phos, and bilirubin were within normal range. Now I know that 85 isn't too bad, but all of my values are usually in normal range when I get my bloodwork every year. My support supps consisted of NAC, ALA, Vitamin C, Fish Oil, B-complex, and a Multi. I haven't ran any type of significant supplement cycle since July, when I did an RPM/Drive cycle. The last hormonal cycle that I ran was in April with liquid-drone for 4 weeks. I haven't had a metabolic panel done since last November, right after an H-drol cycle, and everything was in line then. The only other supps I have taken recently were some occasional RPM pre-workout, and sometimes some GABA on the weekends if I'm trying to bug out a little. No significant alcohol consumption, maybe a total of 8-10 drinks in one year. Obviously, the cycle is postponed indefinately until I get some more comprehensive testing information. I certainly don't want to start a cycle if I'm in the midst of some type of hepatic stress. Moreover, if it is some type of hepatic injury, I have absolutely no idea what could be causing it. Hopefully, it was just a bad test, or due to a grueling series of workouts over the weekend, but thats never occurred before, and I've been getting blood work done for a number of years. Anyways, just wanted to get your thoughts and opinions.
 
I'd just sleep alot and eat right and continue as you have been for a few more weeks and then have the test done again

that number isn't too bad, many things could affect it, and the tests aren't really that accurate either sometimes I'd imagine, just normal noise for a test like that could probably be at least + or - 5 or more. I wouldn't stress too much other than postponing the cycle.
 
wise man u are indeed. blood work b4 a cycle. seriously u are mature dude alot of ppl dont do that including me. SALUTE
 
Jasen said:
wise man u are indeed. blood work b4 a cycle. seriously u are mature dude alot of ppl dont do that including me. SALUTE
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Yeah, I usually get it done at least twice per year just to make sure everything is up and running properly. I've got a family that depends on me, and if I'm going to dabble in this business, I'd better be responsible about it. Its just good to have the piece of mind. I'm by no means an heavy user, I've only done a few light hormonal cycles just to get that extra edge that you cannot achieve by dieting alone.
 
lennoxchi said:
blood tests are sometimes wrong dude. thats why any good doc will have you come back in 2 weeks
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Right, I actually went back today just to make sure the test wasn't an outlier. If this test is skewed, then we will move forward with some more comprehensive testing.
 
Well, I had another blood draw on Friday, and ALT was still elevated. This rules out a bad test. I've done some reading, and ALT seems to be specific to liver damage, unlike AST which can be a result of tissue damage from working out. Going to get an ultrasound done on Tuesday. Hopefully its nothing severe and I can get on with life. One thing is for sure; I will not be touching another hormone or "dietary supplement" for quite some time, even the non-hormonal stuff. Even though I haven't done many hormonal cycles, I've always had the fleeting thought that using supplements, ect. would ultimately damage my body in some way. Luckily I keep tabs on my overall health, and hopefully if it is some kind of liver damage, I can catch it early enough to reverse any harm that has been done.
 
LilPsychotic said:
Well, I had another blood draw on Friday, and ALT was still elevated. This rules out a bad test. I've done some reading, and ALT seems to be specific to liver damage, unlike AST which can be a result of tissue damage from working out. Going to get an ultrasound done on Tuesday. Hopefully its nothing severe and I can get on with life. One thing is for sure; I will not be touching another hormone or "dietary supplement" for quite some time, even the non-hormonal stuff. Even though I haven't done many hormonal cycles, I've always had the fleeting thought that using supplements, ect. would ultimately damage my body in some way. Luckily I keep tabs on my overall health, and hopefully if it is some kind of liver damage, I can catch it early enough to reverse any harm that has been done.
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That sucks man. For me personally, if my liver is damaged it is from the massive amounts of alcohol I have drank at one point or another not supplements.
 
Well, liver ultrasoud turned out ok. Everything was normal, no enlargement or lumps. Still doesn't answer the question though. I go to a GI doc in January to get a second opinion, because my family doctor basically told me that there was nothing wrong. I've been getting bloodwork done regularly for years, and never had a problem, and then suddenly my enzymes are double my normal baseline for no obvious reason. My work environment has changed. I went from working in a hospital to working in an industrial environment with exposures to many chemicals, ect. This is the only thing that has significantly changed, which leads me to belive that it might have something to do with it. Hopefully, all will return to normal after getting retested. This really sucks, I really wanted to run something this winter, and the thought of never running anything again is a reality if there is a chance of my long term good health being comprimised. I'll keep updating periodically. Any reasonable, intelligent comments are welcome.
 
I would get all the tests the docs recommend just for reassurance- But if you dont FEEL bad then I wouldn't expect the tests to be abnormal.. Yes elevated enzymes can be annoying- but liver enzymes can be elevated for ALOT of reasons.. have you gotten sick from say food poisoning etc. etc. I'd just get some NAC and drink plenty of water.
Aside from those two simple things- just follow docs recommendations, and see where it goes.
 
Dude I had the same thing for a life insurance test but both my AST and ALT were elevated the AST was 62 and ALT was 176. I got retested last week and they're both back within normal range. Don't worry man things will work out.
 
MPFit said:
I would get all the tests the docs recommend just for reassurance- But if you dont FEEL bad then I wouldn't expect the tests to be abnormal.. Yes elevated enzymes can be annoying- but liver enzymes can be elevated for ALOT of reasons.. have you gotten sick from say food poisoning etc. etc. I'd just get some NAC and drink plenty of water.
Aside from those two simple things- just follow docs recommendations, and see where it goes.
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Yeah, I had the basics covered even at the time of testing. I was taking NAC for about 2 weeks prior to the test, and I drink at least 1 gal water/day. Hopefully it was just a fluke and things will return to normal within the upcoming months. Thanks for the comments.
 
fatherenis said:
Dude I had the same thing for a life insurance test but both my AST and ALT were elevated the AST was 62 and ALT was 176. I got retested last week and they're both back within normal range. Don't worry man things will work out.
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Thats encouraging, thanks.
 
Do you know that i saw a study (which of course i cant seem to find now) that said if you have a large amount of saturated fats you can spike your ALT and AST. It isnt a liver failure or liver injury and i don't think they completely understand the connection. However, if you're on a keto diet or the anabolic diet you may be ingesting alot of saturated fats. Just FYI - a fasted bloodwork panel is most accurate so if it wasnt fasted try doing a 12-18 hr. fasted test.
 
I had the same issues, after they ruled out hepatisis, they thought it was fatty liver because I had lost so much weight this year, they said losing too much weight does that. And rasies your AST and ALT. and could lead to liver failure ultrasound showed nothing as well. no one knows. and I'm out almost a grand from it. kinda irritating paying all that and not getting any answers. And thats with insurance.

they said they would test again in two months, then do a liver biopsy.

best of luck to you though man I'm feeling ya
 
dieting can sometimes have that effect,

too much free fatty acids can cause liver damage as can high carbohydrates diets in some individuals.
 
Some interesting reading there, my ALT mysteriously doubled recently as well.

I'd seen it at 25~28 and then 60.

I had changed my diet a bit due to taking some time off for a small operation. I'd changed brands of Milk Thistle (I have a drink) recently and had been using ActivaTe Xtreme and RPM.
 
With everyone having this problem now I'm starting to think this test is a buncha crap! lol But the fasting idea is good that's what I did before I got my second test taken when things were normal again. Also don't work out the within 48 hrs of the test it can affect things too.
 
CrazyChemist said:
Do you know that i saw a study (which of course i cant seem to find now) that said if you have a large amount of saturated fats you can spike your ALT and AST. It isnt a liver failure or liver injury and i don't think they completely understand the connection. However, if you're on a keto diet or the anabolic diet you may be ingesting alot of saturated fats. Just FYI - a fasted bloodwork panel is most accurate so if it wasnt fasted try doing a 12-18 hr. fasted test.
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Isn't that what happened to that guy in the movie SuperSizeMe the Doc thought he was going into liver failure.
 
you know, I've always wondered whether milk thistle/nac etc would show higher alt/ast while you are taking them, even if it helps lower it over the long span. did you take the nac the mornings before the blood tests?
 
EasyEJL said:
you know, I've always wondered whether milk thistle/nac etc would show higher alt/ast while you are taking them, even if it helps lower it over the long span. did you take the nac the mornings before the blood tests?
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Yeah, I was taking 1 am, 1 pm. Also, I switched brands of fish oil due to a sale. I've had some moderate diet changes, but no very large increases in saturated fats. I've added 2 glasses of whole milk daily just for some extra cals. That is probrably the most significant fat increase. During my summer cut I was doing a modified anabolic diet, and went back to eating carbs full time about a month before the test. This is how I usually diet though. I go to a GI specialist in January. I'll keep you guys updated. I definately appreciate the comments, and I think its somewhat strange that several guys on the board are having the same issue.
 
EasyEJL said:
you know, I've always wondered whether milk thistle/nac etc would show higher alt/ast while you are taking them, even if it helps lower it over the long span. did you take the nac the mornings before the blood tests?
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Yeah i wonder. That'd be a good study to publish.
 
Well, blood tests last week revealed that all has returned to normal. Liver functions were all within normal range. I go back in march for a repeat test. This type of thing has to be studied over time, but for now all is well.
 
The surgeon said to me that trends are more important than individual measurements with these things.
 
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