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Lab results - looking for opinions [PLEASE READ 1ST POST]

Started by Sam Hall15 · · 👁 84 views · 1.8K replies

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Participants Sam Hall15Laura Lopez29Alexander Hughes2Ashley RamirezSandra Reyes7George Clark19Harold Ramirez49Gerald Lewis36Hannah Phillips50John Parker6darkmakerwearysailor3Kimberly Hughes23Walter Myers4coastaljackal8Elizabeth Ross48Susan Ruiz76darkraven10Frank Wright7Chloe Lee72Morgan Miller7Justin Parker4hiddensurfer17feralfox12 …
electricraven1 electricraven1 Newcomer
1 message
joined Nov 2010
#1061 ·
Could you please share your thoughts on these results?
I am 31 years old.
Results:
Hematology: erythrocyte 5.10 (H)
Biochemistry: Cholesterol 5.2 (H), LDL-Cholesterol 3.4 (H)
What might these levels be pointing toward?
Also, if anyone knows, what could a folded gallbladder indicate? (I experience occasional stomach pains)
Nicholas Myers Nicholas Myers Active Member
163 messages
joined Jan 2012
#1062 ·
electricraven1 said:I'd appreciate your thoughts on these results..
I am 31 years old.
Results:
Hematology: erythrocyte 5.10 (H)
Biochemistry: Cholesterol 5.2 (H), LDL-Cholesterol 3.4 (H)
What do these indicate?
Also, if you know, what could a folded gallbladder mean? (I get occasional stomach pains)

Hello,

Regarding your erythrocyte count, it is essentially a normal result.

Your cholesterol levels are mildly elevated. Assuming your triglycerides are within range, the first line of defense would typically be dietary adjustments—something you should definitely discuss with your primary care physician.

A "folded" gallbladder is essentially just an anatomical variation in shape. Generally speaking, the fold itself shouldn't cause much trouble.

However, since you mentioned abdominal pain, please make sure to consult with your doctor about it.

Best regards.
mistymaker8 mistymaker8 Newcomer
4 messages
joined Feb 2011
#1063 ·
Hey there!
I have a quick question. I've been diagnosed with strep throat—found out by accident since my only symptoms were a red throat and some white patches on my tonsils. I finished a full course of Amoxicillin (16 pills), but the redness and those spots are still hanging around. How long should I wait before I can start a second round of medication?
Donna Anderson6 Donna Anderson6 Newcomer
3 messages
joined Jul 2010
#1064 ·
I have a quick question.
Can you suspect lymphoma or leukemia based solely on CBC results? I mean—just from the basic CBC?
Nicholas Myers Nicholas Myers Active Member
163 messages
joined Jan 2012
#1065 ·
mistymaker8 said:Hello there.
I have a question regarding this situation. I’ve been diagnosed with bacterial tonsillitis—though I only found out by accident since my main symptoms were just a red throat and some pus plugs in my tonsils. I was prescribed Amoxicillin (16 tablets), which I’ve finished, but the redness and those plugs haven't budged. How much time should pass before I can start a second "round" of medication?

Dear mistymaker8,

Your question caught my eye immediately—specifically that part where you mentioned, "I have tonsillitis with pus—I found out by accident because I don't actually have any symptoms..."

Clinical indicators suggesting strep throat typically include: a fever exceeding 100.4°F, exudate (pus) present in the pharynx or on the tonsils, swollen anterior cervical lymph nodes, and an absence of a cough. The more of these symptoms that manifest, the higher the probability of a streptococcal infection.

It’s also fairly standard for the illness to hit like a freight train—sudden onset accompanied by fever, chills, a sore throat, and pain when swallowing, usually paired with general fatigue and frequent headaches.

So, a few questions come to mind:

Do you even discuss streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis or any other type of infection at your practice?

2. Why didn't the antibiotic treatment work?

You’ll get an answer to that first question once you've had a follow-up with your primary care physician. If they decide it’s necessary—perhaps after running some additional tests like a smear or a complete blood count—that's when you'll have your clarity.

The answer to the second question depends entirely on the first. If the tests confirm a strep infection, you'll be prescribed a different antibiotic. If it turns out to be something else, the treatment plan changes accordingly.

Bottom line: go see your primary care physician. You need to confirm whether you're actually dealing with strep throat or something else entirely so you can stick to the right treatment plan.

Hello.

mistymaker8 said:I have one quick question.
Can you suspect lymphoma or leukemia based solely on basic CBC results? I mean, just from the standard CBC itself?

The answer is yes, it’s certainly a possibility.
Amanda Lee4 Amanda Lee4 Newcomer
3 messages
joined Nov 2010
#1066 ·
So, I'm not really sure where to go with this, so I'm just hoping you guys can point me in the right direction. We had some bloodwork done for our little one because of their atopic dermatitis, and these were the results we got:

specIgE for cow's milk egg white 1.71 kUA/l, class 2
specIgE for egg white 3.31 kUA/l, class 3

Can anyone break down what this actually means?🤷
mistymaker8 mistymaker8 Newcomer
4 messages
joined Feb 2011
#1067 ·
Nicholas Myers;30270327 said:Dear mistymaker8,

In your question, one thing immediately caught my eye: "I have strep throat—I found out by accident because I don't have symptoms..."

Basically, the clinical signs that point toward a sore throat caused by strep are: a high fever (over 100.4˚F), exudate (pus) in the throat or on the tonsils, swollen lymph nodes in the front of the neck, and an absence of coughing. The more of these signs you have, the higher the probability of strep throat.

It’s also common for the illness to hit suddenly, bringing on fever, chills, a sore throat, pain when swallowing, general weakness, and often a headache.

So, a few questions arise:

1. Are we even looking at strep tonsillopharyngitis here, or is this some other kind of infection?

2. Why wasn't the antibiotic treatment effective?

You'll get the answer to the first question after a follow-up with your primary care physician and any additional tests they deem necessary (like a swab, blood work, etc.).

The answer to the second question depends entirely on the first. If it turns out to be a strep infection, you'll be given a different antibiotic; if it isn't strep, a different type of treatment will be applied.

Bottom line: see your doctor to confirm whether this is actually strep throat or something else, so you can move forward with the right treatment.

Best regards.

Thanks for the reply.
I only found out by chance because I really don't have any symptoms other than the ones I mentioned (and I wouldn't even know if they were signs of tonsillitis, since I've had those little white spots on my tonsils on and off for as long as I can remember).
Basically, after dinner, I was coughing a bit while lying in an awkward position (on a leather couch without a pillow). When I woke up about an hour later, I felt this stabbing pain all along the left side of my chest, mostly around my stomach area. It lasted for three days, so eventually, due to arrhythmia and tachycardia (mostly from the panic), I went to the ER, where they sent me to a cardiologist.
After the exam, everything seemed fine (well, maybe not everything): the X-ray showed heart and lung hila were more prominent and vascular, and there was a hypertonic cardiac shadow—I have no idea what that means.
My blood work showed elevated leukocytes and CRP, so they concluded it was just a respiratory infection, and that was it.
My doctor examined me, said it was tonsillitis, and prescribed Amoxicillin.
Now I'm running more tests because it feels like a whole lot of things are off, so I'm seeing her tomorrow and we'll see.
Thanks again.
mistymaker8 mistymaker8 Newcomer
4 messages
joined Feb 2011
#1068 ·
And she didn't even send me for a throat swab.
Nicholas Myers Nicholas Myers Active Member
163 messages
joined Jan 2012
#1069 ·
Amanda Lee4 said:So, I'm not quite sure where to ask this, but I'm hoping someone can help me out. We had some blood work done for our baby because of atopic dermatitis, and the results look like this:

specIgE for cow's milk protein 1.71 kUA/l, class 2
specIgE for egg white 3.31 kUA/l, class 3

Can anyone explain exactly what this means?🤷

To put it simply: a higher concentration of specific IgE usually points to a stronger allergy. When looking at food, a higher value suggests a greater likelihood that consuming that specific item will trigger an allergic reaction. These concentrations are categorized into classes from 0 to 6. A 0 means the level is immeasurably low—essentially undetectable—while as you move from 1 up to 6, the severity of the allergy increases. In this case, class 2 indicates a low response, while class 3 is considered moderately positive.

The tricky part about interpreting these numbers is that different foods have different predictive values. This means the threshold at which a test result is considered significant varies depending on the child's age and the specific type of test used.

Essentially, interpretation is complex. You can't just look at the number in a vacuum; it always has to be weighed against the clinical picture—the actual symptoms—as well as the child's age, the specific allergen, the testing method, and other lab findings. Because of that, your pediatrician and dermatologist will have the final word and should provide the definitive commentary on these results.

Think of this explanation as a rough guide to give you a general idea of what's happening.

If the doctors determine there is a confirmed food allergy based on all those factors, they will recommend removing that food from your child's diet. There is some good news here: for many children, eliminating the offending food can actually lead to the loss of that sensitivity over time.

Wishing you and your little one all the best.

Best regards. 👍
Drew Jones26 Drew Jones26 Newcomer
8 messages
joined Mar 2010
#1070 ·
She’s three months pregnant and just had her routine blood work done. Everything looks totally normal, except her Pct is sitting a little high at 0.288 (normal range is 0.108-0.282). Does this actually matter during pregnancy, or what could it be flagging?
Nicholas Myers Nicholas Myers Active Member
163 messages
joined Jan 2012
#1071 ·
Drew Jones26 said:My sister is three months pregnant and just had her CBC done. All parameters look normal, except for Pct, which is slightly elevated at 0.288 (ref range 0.108-0.282). Does this matter during pregnancy, and what could it indicate?

Dear Drew Jones26,

I'm not entirely certain what the "PCT" label refers to in your sister's report, as that abbreviation can represent several different things depending on the lab. Please take this response with a grain of salt.

However, since you mentioned this was a complete blood count and looking at those reference ranges, I suspect that the mysterious "PCT" actually stands for plateletcrit. Sometimes you'll see it labeled as Tct, but PCT is the standard shorthand for Plateletcrit.

Essentially, plateletcrit is a metric used to measure the volume percentage of platelets in the blood. Values tend to fluctuate quite a bit based on the specific analyzer the lab uses.

If my assumption is correct, then this result is practically normal.

That said, the OB-GYN should always have the final word.

Best wishes to you and your sister. 🙂
Amanda Lee4 Amanda Lee4 Newcomer
3 messages
joined Nov 2010
#1072 ·
Maria Fisher46 said:To put it simply, the higher the concentration of specific IgE, the stronger the allergy. When we're talking about food, a higher value basically means there's a bigger chance that eating that specific thing will trigger an allergic reaction. Usually, these specific IgE concentrations are sorted into classes from 0 to 6. A 0 means it’s unmeasurable—like, totally negligible levels in the serum. From 1 to 6, the higher the number, the more intense the allergy. So, a class 2 would be considered low, while a class 3 hits that moderate positive range.

The tricky part with reading these results is that different foods have different predictive values. Basically, the threshold where a test result actually becomes "significant" changes depending on how old the kid is and even what kind of test was used.

So yeah, interpreting this stuff is pretty complex. You can't just look at one number; you have to look at the whole clinical picture—the symptoms, the child's age, the specific food or allergen, the test type, and all the other lab work. That’s why your pediatrician and dermatologist are going to have the final say and give you the real breakdown of what this means.

I guess this answer is just a rough guide so you can get a general idea of what's going on.

If the doctors decide, based on all those factors, that there's a real allergy, they'll pull that food out of your baby's diet. On the bright side, once you cut out the stuff they're sensitive to, a lot of kids actually end up outgrowing those sensitivities over time.

Wishing you and your little one all the best.

Best regards. 👍

Yeah, just like you mentioned, they advised me to cut out anything containing eggs or cow's milk from my diet since I'm breastfeeding.
Our dermatologist told us we shouldn't introduce eggs until after the first birthday, and definitely no egg whites until they're at least three.🤷

Thanks for the info.👍
Jeremy Wilson5 Jeremy Wilson5 Member
29 messages
joined Feb 2009
#1073 ·
I just got my blood work back, and I was wondering if someone could help me make sense of it? My aspartate aminotransferase is a bit high at 37, while my alanine aminotransferase is right on the upper limit at 36.
Also, my potassium is elevated at 5.4—I guess you wonder if that might be linked to physical activity? Additionally, my mean hemoglobin concentration came back at 353.
Thanks so much in advance!
wearybison35 wearybison35 Member
11 messages
joined Feb 2010
#1074 ·
Angela Ramos said:I just got my blood work back, and I was wondering if someone could explain what it means that my aspartate aminotransferase is elevated (37), while my alanine aminotransferase is right on the high end of the limit (36).
Also, my potassium is up (5.4)—could that be related to working out? And my average hemoglobin concentration (353).
Thanks in advance

Basically, AST and ALT are enzymes that, when they start creeping up, can point toward some liver cell irritation, though they aren't strictly exclusive to the liver... there are plenty of other things that can nudge them higher.
Honestly, these numbers don't look alarming at all, and there are a million different reasons why they might fluctuate like that. Have you been taking any medications lately?

As for the potassium, yeah, that could definitely be linked to physical activity, like if you've had some muscle strain or heavy lifting sessions... it’s worth keeping an eye on, but if your creatinine and urea levels are looking solid, it probably isn't anything major.

And don't sweat that MCHC, it's pretty much normal...
Brian Moore10 Brian Moore10 Newcomer
1 message
joined Dec 2010
#1075 ·
Hey everyone, this is... Hey everyone, just making my first post here. Well, I really hope I'm not messing anything up by sharing these details...
I was wondering if anyone could take a look at this hormone panel for me? It’s for a 25-year-old guy who eats a clean diet and hits the gym regularly. I'm curious to hear what you all make of these results.
I don't want to dive into all the extra details just yet—maybe I'll save that for later once I have some initial impressions. I really want to avoid letting my own subjective feelings about the symptoms cloud things, since there's always a chance they could be purely psychosomatic. Is there any obvious, well-known issue that stands out from these results? I'm struggling to translate what some of these deviations from the reference ranges actually mean on my own.
Does anyone happen to have more insight regarding... endocrinology I would be incredibly grateful.

I had my blood drawn on November 29, 2010, at 11:30 AM. I wasn't fasting—actually, I’d just finished a massive, healthy meal right before the draw (meat, a protein shake with olive oil, eggs, water, and some whey powder). I also took my supplements: Vitamin D3 (3 doses of 400 IU), Omega-3 (three doses of Dietpharm with 180mg EPA and 120mg DHA), plus a calcium, magnesium, and zinc combo (two KAL High Potency tablets). Oh, I almost forgot—I also took two Silymarin pills for my liver "just in case," since I was already scheduled to go get an ultrasound due to slightly elevated bilirubin levels. It’s been on my radar for a while now; I previously got results showing my bilirubin was at 21 µmol/L... and my urea was a bit high too... so after a little while, I went back for another test on November 8, 2010, and... I’m just sitting here thinking about how much things change when you start digging into the details of your health. You know, that feeling when you get a lab report back and it feels like a foreign language? I was looking over some stuff recently—nothing to worry about, just processing it all—and it really hits home how everything is connected. One little spike in one value, a slight dip in another, and suddenly you're staring at a screen trying to make sense of the whole picture. It’s a lot to wrap your head around sometimes, isn't it? Just one of those things where you realize how much work goes on behind the scenes just to keep the engine running smoothly. Anyway, just a thought. She was. So, I just got my latest lab results back, and one number is definitely standing out from the rest: 9.3 mmol/L. Looking at the standard reference range provided by the lab—which sits between 2.8 and 8.3—I’m clearly sitting a bit above the mark. It's not quite an emergency, but it's certainly high enough to warrant some attention and a closer look at what's going on under the hood., a So, I just got my latest lab results back, and my bilirubin came in at 30.5 umol/l. Looking at the standard reference range, which usually sits between 3 and 20, I’m definitely sitting a bit above the line there. It's nothing to panic about, but it's definitely worth keeping an eye on.So, my doctor and I finally touched base and agreed that I should go ahead with that ultrasound. We'll just have to wait and see how everything pans out from there.

LH (ECL) - Result:2.4 U/L Referentni men: guys 1,7-8,6
FSH (ECL) - Result:1.4 U/L Reference interval:men 1,5-12,4
ESTRADIOL (ECL) - Result:5.0 ng/L Reference. interval:men 7,63-42,6
TESTOSTERONE (ECL) - Result:14.07 nmol/L I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that. Could you give me more context or tell me what you'd like me to write about? I'm ready to dive in once I know the direction! interval:men 9.9 up to 27.8.
FREE TESTOSTERONE (RAČ) - 321.20 pmol/L Referentni interval:men $178.00 to $598.00
I've been looking over my recent labs, specifically focusing on my DHEA-s levels from the ECL panel. It’s one of those markers that can feel a bit mysterious if you aren't staring at them every day, but it provides such a clear window into what's happening with the adrenal glands. When you look at DHEA-s, you're essentially checking in on your primary precursor hormone. It’s a pretty significant indicator of overall endocrine health and how your body handles stress at a foundational level. I find that having this data point is vital for getting the full picture, especially when trying to balance out other hormonal shifts. It isn't just a random number; it’s a snapshot of your metabolic and hormonal stamina. Everything feels interconnected, and seeing where these levels land helps me make much more informed decisions about my wellness routine. 8.7 μmol/L Referentni interval:men 2,6-7,7
sHBG (ECL) - 34.55 nmol/L Since you only provided the single word "Referentni," which translates to "Referential" or "Reference," I don't have any content to rewrite! Please provide the full text or posts you want me to transform. Once you do, I will craft them into unique, natural American English pieces while strictly following all your substitution rules and maintaining the specific persona requested. interval:menIt went from 14.5 all the way up to 48.4.
CORTISOL (ECL) - 634.3 nmol/L I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that last one! It looks like you might have sent a fragment or a typo. If you were trying to share a specific post or some information you want me to rewrite, just paste it here. I'll be ready to jump in and give it that fresh, Americanized polish while keeping the original vibe intact. Just let me know what you need! Timeframe: before noon 7-10 AM, 171-536.Later this afternoon. Between 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM, I was looking at those numbers—64 to 340.
T3 (ECL) - 1.6 nmol/L Reference range:1,3 to 3,1
T4 (ECL) - 113 nmol/L Reference range:It looks like we're looking at a jump from 59 up to 154. Whether that’s a weight change, a lab result, or some other metric, that is a massive swing. It’s quite a leap to cover.
TSH (ECL) - 3.33 mU/L Reference interval:0.27 to 4.2

I really appreciate any helpful information you guys can throw my way... 🙂

P.S. I’m sure there are a few more deviations from the reference ranges in this hematology report, but honestly, I'm just not entirely sure how much weight to give them.
dustycobra31 dustycobra31 Newcomer
1 message
joined Jul 2010
#1076 ·
Alright, here’s my situation, looking for some help
Honestly, I’m about to lose my mind waiting for my doctor to actually look at my labs—I feel like I’m gonna jump out of my skin here.
Here are my numbers:
ALT 70
AST 32
S-TIBIC 49, which is basically sitting right on the bottom edge of the range
S-cholesterol 5.3
So, what’s the deal? Give me the best advice you've got, or even the absolute worst-case scenario if you're feeling cruel.
As for lifestyle, I only touch alcohol maybe twice a year, just a couple of ounces at a time.
I try to dodge fatty foods, though I'll admit I can't stay away from them entirely.
And no, I don't do any drugs.
Jeremy Wilson5 Jeremy Wilson5 Member
29 messages
joined Feb 2009
#1077 ·
wearybison35 said:AST and ALT are enzymes that, when elevated, suggest some level of liver cell irritation, though they aren't strictly exclusive to the liver.
These levels don't seem particularly alarming to me, and honestly, there could be a million different reasons for them. Have you been taking any medications lately?

Potassium levels can sometimes be linked to physical activity, like if you've dealt with any muscle strain. It would probably be wise to keep an eye on it, but if your creatinine and urea look fine, I doubt anything serious is going on.

As for that MCHC, I wouldn't worry about it; it's practically normal.


Thanks for the reply 🙂

I took some Advil 400 mg yesterday; I wonder, could that be what caused the AST and ALT to go up?
Jesse Morgan73 Jesse Morgan73 Active Member
67 messages
joined Mar 2010
#1078 ·
Could someone please take a look at my blood work? My rheumatologist sent these results over to me.

AUTOIMMUNE SEROLOGY
anti dsDNA 1
ENA screen positive
anti ss a/ro 23
anti ss b/la 3
anti sm 4
anti sm/rnp 7
anti jo 1 6
anti scl 70 133
anti histone 9

I am particularly concerned about the positive ENA screen, since the report mentions it really should be negative—what does that imply? Also, my anti scl 70 came back at 133, even though the normal range is listed as 100-120.
if anyone could offer some insight, I would truly appreciate it...
thanks in advance
Nicholas Myers Nicholas Myers Active Member
163 messages
joined Jan 2012
#1079 ·
Brian Moore10 said:Hey everyone, this is... My first post. I just hope I'm not misinterpreting these numbers...
I'm looking for some insight. Could anyone tell me what this hormone panel suggests about a 25-year-old male who maintains a clean diet and exercises regularly?
I won't dive into further details just yet—maybe later once I have some initial impressions. I want to avoid letting my own perceptions of the symptoms cloud the data, as they might turn out to be purely psychosomatic. Can anyone spot an obvious, recognizable issue here? I'm struggling to translate the significance of certain deviations from the reference ranges on my own.
Does anyone here have any deep insight into... Endocrinology. I would be very grateful.

Blood was drawn on November 29, 2010, at 11:30 AM. I wasn't fasting. In fact, I’d just finished a heavy, healthy meal—meat, a protein shake mixed with olive oil, eggs, water, and whey powder. I also took my supplements: Vitamin D3 (3x400IU), Omega-3 (3x; Dietpharm EPA 180mg, DHA 120mg), and a calcium, magnesium, and zinc combo (2x; KAL High Potency). I forgot to mention, I also took 2x Silymarin for my liver "just in case," as I was already planning to head in for an ultrasound due to some elevated bilirubin. It’s been a while since I saw results showing my bilirubin at 21 umol/L... along with slightly high urea... so after some time passed, I went back for another test on November 8, 2010, and... urea It was. 9.3 mmol/L (Ref. 2.8–8.3). Out of range., a Bilirubin at 30.5 umol/L (ref. 3-20). Slightly elevated. It’s like a car engine running a little hot—not a total breakdown, but definitely worth keeping an eye on.So, my doctor and I reached an agreement to go ahead with that ultrasound. We'll see where things land from there.

LH (ECL) - Result:2.4 U/L Reference. Interval: men. 1,7-8,6
FSH (ECL) - Result:1.4 U/L Reference. interval:men 1,5-12,4
ESTRADIOL (ECL) - Result:5.0 ng/L. Reference. Interval: men. 7,63-42,6
TESTOSTERONE (ECL) - Result:14.07 nmol/L Reference. interval:men From 9.9 up to 27.8.
FREE TESTOSTERONE (RAČ) - 321.20 pmol/L Reference. interval:men From 178.00 to 598.00.
DHEA-S (ECL) — essentially looking at dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels. It’s a snapshot of adrenal activity. If you're tracking this, you're likely digging into the hormonal balance between cortisol and androgens. Think of it like a fuel gauge for the endocrine system; it tells you how much raw material the adrenals are pumping out for conversion elsewhere. Always worth cross-referencing with other markers to see the full picture. 8.7 μmol/L Reference. Interval: men. 2,6-7,7
sHBG (ECL) - 34.55 nmol/L Standard. Interval: men.From 14.5 to 48.4.
CORTISOL (ECL) - 634.3 nmol/L Standard. Timeframe: before noon. 7:00–10:00 AM. Range: 171–536.Afternoon. Between 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Range: 64–340.
T3 (ECL) — 1.6 nmol/L. Reference range:1,3 to 3,1.
T4 (ECL) - 113 nmol/L Reference range:59 up to 154.
TSH (ECL) — 3.33 mU/L Reference range:From 0.27 up to 4.2.

I appreciate any helpful information you can share. 🙂

P.S. There are definitely other deviations from the reference ranges in this hematology report, but I’m not entirely sure how much weight they actually carry.

Dear Brian Moore10,

As much as I’d like to give you an idea of what we're looking at based on those results, it's simply not possible.

Regarding the endocrine results, there are slight deviations in cortisol and DHEA levels. However, a single snapshot like this isn't enough to draw any real conclusions. Slightly elevated morning cortisol can be nothing more than a reaction to non-specific stress.

Nadalje, you haven't specified what symptoms you're experiencing or why you were asked to test your hormone levels. That makes it difficult to offer much of a meaningful comment.

It’s worth noting that various factors can drive up cortisol levels, including physical exertion.

Naturally, there is also a range of medical conditions that can cause elevated cortisol, such as Cushing's syndrome. However, those values are typically much higher, and a diagnosis requires meeting several specific criteria—ranging from clinical presentation (your actual symptoms and physical appearance) to specific diagnostic testing results. I should emphasize this once more: a single cortisol measurement from a blood test isn't enough to establish a diagnosis.

Because of this, you'll need to consult with an endocrinology specialist. Based on your specific symptoms, they will determine if further investigation is necessary and which steps to take next.

The second part of your question concerns the elevated bilirubin and urea levels. Again, high total bilirubin alone won't provide an answer. One needs to know the conjugated (direct) bilirubin levels and determine whether this is isolated hyperbilirubinemia—meaning no other liver function markers are abnormal and there are no signs of hemolysis (the breakdown of red blood cells)—or if other parameters are also out of range. There is a relatively common condition characterized by mildly elevated bilirubin without other liver dysfunction or hemolysis known as Gilbert's syndrome. It's a benign condition that affects men five times more often than women and doesn't require treatment. Whether this applies to you, I cannot say; I lack sufficient data, and additional testing is required, which it seems your doctor already intends to perform.

As for the elevated urea levels, if kidney function is normal, this could simply reflect a diet high in protein (and you did mention using a protein shake...), though I can't say for certain.

Given all this, it is clear that you need a thorough specialist evaluation to get real answers.

Best regards and all the best. 😉
Nicholas Myers Nicholas Myers Active Member
163 messages
joined Jan 2012
#1080 ·
dustycobra31 said:Here’s my situation, looking for some help
I can't wait for my viral markers to come back; I feel like I'm going to jump out of my skin.
My numbers:
ALT 70
AST 32
S-TIBIC 49, which is right at the lower limit
S-cholesterol 5.3
Please, give me the best or worst-case scenario.
I drink alcohol maybe twice a year, about two ounces at a time.
I try to avoid fatty foods, though I struggle with my weight.
And I don't use any drugs.

Dear dustycobra31,

First, let's look at those aminotransferase levels that are worrying you. I assume this isn't your first set of results; in cases like this, before jumping to a deep diagnosis, we usually need to re-run the aminotransferase tests—perhaps after a few weeks from when the initial deviation was spotted, or based on your doctor's clinical judgment.

If the new measurement still shows an elevation, then we have to investigate the cause. Let's assume the ALT remains high even after the re-test. What does that tell us? It indicates damage to liver cells. In this regard, ALT is more specific than AST. However, we cannot pinpoint the exact cause of liver damage based solely on these numbers.

Essentially, almost any liver condition involving moderate inflammation or cellular damage can lead to a slight rise in aminotransferases, much like what you're seeing here.

Since you mentioned struggling with weight, we should definitely consider something like fatty liver or potentially NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis). In the first case, we're talking about an excessive buildup of fat within the hepatocytes—the liver cells. Common culprits include being overweight, diabetes, fasting, or even alcohol. We also shouldn't rule out medications. Once the factor responsible for this state is removed—and for most patients, losing weight helps significantly—improvement and recovery typically follow.

When inflammatory changes accompany fatty liver, we call it NASH. Again, the foundation of treatment is addressing and managing the underlying risk factors.

Furthermore, we have to take viral hepatitis into account, particularly chronic forms. That is why you've been sent for those viral hepatitis markers.

Once those causes are ruled out, we look for other liver diseases.

As extensive as this explanation is, it unfortunately cannot provide a definitive answer regarding why your ALT is elevated. You'll need to wait for the rest of your results and consult with a gastroenterologist for a full evaluation and any necessary further testing.

Your total cholesterol of 5.3 mmol/l is slightly elevated. This should be managed primarily through diet and lifestyle changes; definitely discuss this with your primary care physician.

Best regards. 👍

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