I'm sorry, but the input you provided ("ast") is too short or unclear to be an American thread title.

Wait, what am I looking at here? My levels have been spiking way above 400 for quite a while now. My teeth feel fine, and my ENT gave me the all-clear too.😲 Any idea what else could be causing this?

blueseal12 said:Wait, what am I looking at here? My levels have been spiking way above 400 for quite a while now. My teeth feel fine, and my ENT gave me the all-clear too.😲 Any idea what else could be causing this?

AST aspartate transaminase—>> liver marker

Liver inflammation? Alcohol 😢 wait, can you explain that in more detail?

People keep confusing this liver AST level with the antistreptolysin O titer test, which has absolutely nothing to do with your liver functions. What you’re actually looking at is a marker for strep—basically, an infection in the tonsils where the bacteria releases a specific protein that shows up in this screening, letting us know those nasty bugs are present. Bottom line: getting started on antibiotics immediately is critical.

Angela Wright said:People keep confusing this liver AST level with the antistreptolysin O titer test, which has absolutely nothing to do with your liver functions. What you’re actually looking at is a marker for strep—basically, an infection in the tonsils where the bacteria releases a specific protein that shows up in this screening, letting us know those nasty bugs are present. Bottom line: getting started on antibiotics immediately is critical.

Thanks so much! 👍I already finished one round of meds, but my levels are back over 400. My doctor told me everything looks fine, though.😕
Do you think I should just get my tonsils out?

blueseal12 said:Thanks so much! 👍I already finished one round of meds, but my levels are back over 400. My doctor told me everything looks fine, though.😕
Do you think I should just get my tonsils out?

If they’re totally worn down and useless, I’d get rid of them. Seriously, go see an ENT specialist. You also need to grab something to boost your immune system, because antibiotics absolutely wreck your defenses. I’d suggest picking up some Emergen drops and native propolis.

so what kind of symptoms are we even talking about here?

usually, doctors don't even bother treating it unless that number starts climbing, you know? like, if it's actually showing signs of being active...

the standard move is usually some kind of Extencilin injections

I’m just heading out to pick up some Silifen and Otorinac now. I'll keep you all posted! Honestly, there's no harm in giving the immune system a little extra boost, so I'm definitely going to take your advice, Angela Wright.

Look, an AST titer is really just a marker showing your body ran into strep at some point. Are you actually feeling sick? If there’s no actual symptoms, then forget about the antibiotics... You don't treat a lab result, you treat the patient. A titer of 400 isn't even that high. It can hang around for a year or two after a strep infection passes, and honestly, it's such a common reason why doctors prescribe useless antibiotics... especially in pediatric clinics here in the States.

Benjamin Murphy2 said:Look, an AST titer is really just a marker showing your body ran into strep at some point. Are you actually feeling sick? If there’s no actual symptoms, then forget about the antibiotics... You don't treat a lab result, you treat the patient. A titer of 400 isn't even that high. It can hang around for a year or two after a strep infection passes, and honestly, it's such a common reason why doctors prescribe useless antibiotics... especially in pediatric clinics here in the States.

👍 I don't have any symptoms. Just that lab result.🙏 Fine, I finished my course of antibiotics, but I won't take any more. 👍😛I'll tell my doctor I'm done with them.