High Liver Enzymes

[Sabouni]

Hello all,

I had known about my high liver enzymes for about a year now. My profile from the last test are as follows: units are in U/L.

AST: 69H
ALT: 188H
GGT: 94H


I wasn't a heavy drinker from the start but I stopped completely 2 months ago. I started diving this summer, with 11 dives in total. I have heard from two general doctors conflicting statements about diving with high liver enzymes. One says it's fine the other says not really. Anyways, I have stopped diving now due to bronchitis and I don't think I will dive anytime before December. I am in the process of getting CT scans to see the reason behind the elevated liver enzymes. Any suggestions from specialists or people with similar issues?

 

[tyesai]

Doesn't exactly match up with your question but here is a link from DAN.

DAN Divers Alert Network

Hope you get better and find out the exact cause of your issue. I know at one time mine were about three times higher than yours, but I sobered up and lost some weight and I've been good to go since. It did take some time for my body to "get back to normal". Best wishes!

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

Sabouni,
The concern is not so much the elevated enzymes, it's the condition that's causing the elevated enzymes. If you weren't/aren't a heavy drinker, alcohol use may not be the primary cause. It's impossible to give you an accurate answer without knowing whether or not you have any other underlying medical issues.
Best regards,
DDM

 

[MP40]

I have elevated enzymes as well. In my case I have a fatty liver, which my doctor assured me wouldn't be affected by diving. There are a ton of issues that can cause elevated enzymes though, so it would be smart to figure out the cause of whats going on before you dive. Liver stuff is no joke as it can indicate underlying gall bladder and pancreatic issues. Also highly suggest taking Milk Thistle.

 

[TSandM]

As DDM said, the issue is not the enzymes. Elevated liver enzymes in the blood is simply a marker for something which is injuring liver cells. That something could be a toxin, like alcohol or other hydrocarbons. It could be a virus, as with some of the chronic hepatitis viruses, but also things like CMV. It could be mechanical, as liver tissue is displaced by something like a tumor. It could be related to blood supply . . . the fact is, the mildly elevated enzymes are such a nonspecific marker that it's simply impossible to list all the thing that could cause them. It's good that your doctor is working on this, and I hope the outcome is that they never find the cause, and the issue simply resolves.