abijann - The liver takes toxins out of the body and converts them to a non-toxic form that the body can easily dispose of.
1)overconsuming alcohol, in a short time period, doesn't give the liver cells enough time to make the necessary enzymes to convert the alcohol into acetaldehyde, then acetate, and then to CO2 and water. Not converted completely, it can become toxic to the liver cells.
[The liver cells make the ALT and AST and other enzymes. When they become damaged, these enzymes leak out into the blood and go higher on the blood tests results.]
2) Consuming alcohol over "long" time periods can cause the build up of fat to develop inside the liver. The liver is surrounded by a tight membrane capsule...this fat causes pressure inside the liver and cause damage to the liver cells.
[The cells of the liver are what does all the functions, that the liver does as a whole, to keep the body well.]
3) Some people are more sensitive to alcohol than others are; some are even allergic to it. That is why liver disease doesn't happen in all people...or as fast in some.
4) Taking alcohol with medication can cause such an interaction between them that they can instantly damage the liver cells.
The doctor does more blood testing than just the liver enzymes you mentioned. He does the liver enzyme blood tests, but also the liver function blood tests, the liver viral blood tests (to check for hepatitis virus), and also the liver cancer blood test. It takes all these tests to signify a problem with the liver/biliary.
The answer to your question is a definite, "yes". However, there are over 40+ reasons for the liver cells to become damage. All doctors, however, tell the patient "no alcohol".
This is what takes place in the liver when the liver cells become damaged. There is a certain time that this could be reversed...but, if continued...it easily becomes irreversible:
1)The liver cells become damaged. 2)The immune system of the body will respond to this damage. 3)Inflammation will then develop inside the liver, which will cause the liver to enlarge in size. ****up to this point, if the alcohol is stopped, there is a chance for reversal by stopping the cause.*** 4)Inflammation leads to more liver cell damage and the liver cell starting to die off. 5)The liver cell die off and scar tissue develops inside the liver which blocks the flow of blood....This is Cirrhosis of the liver; an irreversible, progressive disease.
***It depends on how much damage has been done to the liver cells [if the cause is alcohol} already...to fiqure out how long it will take to return to normal range. Yes, stopping the alcohol is the best thing to do.***
Some more info: Most Transplant Centers now have rules that a patient has to be detoxed from alcohol for a period of six month, under doctors care, before they are to be referred to them, to go through an "evaluation" process of being placed on the transplant list. Liver Transplant cost in the range of $300,000 and up.
Hope this information has been of some help. Best wishes
Can my ALT & AST levels climb from normal to over 200 each after a few months of heavy drinking? They should come down if I stop, right?
abijann - The liver takes toxins out of the body and converts them to a non-toxic
ReplyDeleteform that the body can easily dispose of.
1)overconsuming alcohol, in a short time period, doesn't give the liver
cells enough time to make the necessary enzymes to convert the
alcohol into acetaldehyde, then acetate, and then to CO2 and water.
Not converted completely, it can become toxic to the liver cells.
[The liver cells make the ALT and AST and other enzymes.
When they become damaged, these enzymes leak out into the
blood and go higher on the blood tests results.]
2) Consuming alcohol over "long" time periods can cause the build
up of fat to develop inside the liver. The liver is surrounded by a
tight membrane capsule...this fat causes pressure inside the liver
and cause damage to the liver cells.
[The cells of the liver are what does all the functions, that the
liver does as a whole, to keep the body well.]
3) Some people are more sensitive to alcohol than others are;
some are even allergic to it. That is why liver disease doesn't
happen in all people...or as fast in some.
4) Taking alcohol with medication can cause such an
interaction between them that they can instantly damage
the liver cells.
The doctor does more blood testing than just the liver enzymes you
mentioned. He does the liver enzyme blood tests, but also the
liver function blood tests, the liver viral blood tests (to check for
hepatitis virus), and also the liver cancer blood test.
It takes all these tests to signify a problem with the liver/biliary.
The answer to your question is a definite, "yes". However, there
are over 40+ reasons for the liver cells to become damage.
All doctors, however, tell the patient "no alcohol".
This is what takes place in the liver when the liver cells become
damaged. There is a certain time that this could be reversed...but,
if continued...it easily becomes irreversible:
1)The liver cells become damaged.
2)The immune system of the body will respond to this damage.
3)Inflammation will then develop inside the liver, which will
cause the liver to enlarge in size.
****up to this point, if the alcohol is stopped, there is a chance for
reversal by stopping the cause.***
4)Inflammation leads to more liver cell damage and the liver
cell starting to die off.
5)The liver cell die off and scar tissue develops inside the liver
which blocks the flow of blood....This is Cirrhosis of the liver;
an irreversible, progressive disease.
***It depends on how much damage has been done to the liver cells
[if the cause is alcohol} already...to fiqure out
how long it will take to return to normal range.
Yes, stopping the alcohol is the best thing to do.***
Some more info:
Most Transplant Centers now have rules that a patient has to be
detoxed from alcohol for a period of six month, under doctors care,
before they are to be referred to them, to go through an "evaluation"
process of being placed on the transplant list.
Liver Transplant cost in the range of $300,000 and up.
Hope this information has been of some help. Best wishes