Your doctor might order a blood test to check the levels of certain liver enzymes, including SGOT (AST) and SGPT (ALT). These enzymes play a vital role in the body, and their levels can provide valuable insights into your liver’s health.
High SGPT and SGOT levels often indicate some form of liver damage or disease. While slightly elevated levels aren’t always a cause for immediate alarm, consistently high levels warrant further investigation.
Understanding what these levels mean is an important step in taking charge of your health and working proactively with your healthcare provider.
What are SGOT and SGPT?
SGOT and SGPT are enzymes found in your body. They’re sometimes called AST and ALT, respectively. These enzymes help your body do its job, and a blood test can measure how much of them are in your system.
SGOT (AST): Aspartate Aminotransferase
SGOT, also known as AST, is an enzyme that helps your body process amino acids. It’s found in your liver, heart, muscles, and kidneys. When these tissues are damaged, SGOT can leak into your bloodstream.
SGPT (ALT): Alanine Aminotransferase
SGPT, also known as ALT, is an enzyme mainly found in your liver. It helps to convert alanine into pyruvate, which is important in the production of energy. SGPT is more specific to the liver than SGOT, so it’s often used to assess liver health.
What are normal SGOT and SGPT levels?
SGOT, now called AST, usually measures between 5 and 40 units per liter (units/L). SGPT, or ALT, is usually between 7 and 56 units/L.
Keep in mind that these numbers can vary a little depending on the lab that does the testing. Your doctor will consider these reference ranges when looking at your results.
It’s also important to remember that a single high SGOT or SGPT result doesn’t always mean there’s something seriously wrong. Your doctor will likely want to repeat the test or order additional tests to get a clearer picture of what’s happening.
Common Causes of High SGOT and SGPT Levels
Elevated levels of SGOT (AST) and SGPT (ALT) in your bloodwork usually indicate that your liver is stressed or damaged. There are many potential reasons why these enzyme levels might be elevated.
Liver-Related Causes
- Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD & AFLD): Fatty liver disease occurs when there’s a buildup of fat in the liver. There are two main types: non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is often associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome, and alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD), which is caused by heavy alcohol consumption.
- Viral Hepatitis: Viral hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by a viral infection. There are several types, including hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E, each with different modes of transmission and potential for chronic infection.
- Alcoholic Liver Disease: Chronic alcohol abuse can lead to a range of liver problems, including inflammation, fatty liver, and cirrhosis.
- Liver Cirrhosis: Cirrhosis is a late stage of liver disease characterized by scarring of the liver tissue. It can be caused by chronic alcohol abuse, viral hepatitis, and other conditions.
- Autoimmune Hepatitis: Autoimmune hepatitis is a chronic disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the liver cells.
Other Contributing Factors
- Medications and Drug Use: Certain medications can cause liver damage and elevate liver enzyme levels. Some examples include statins, antibiotics, pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen, and other NSAIDs, and anticonvulsants.
- Alcohol Abuse: As mentioned above, excessive alcohol consumption is a major risk factor for liver disease and elevated liver enzymes.
- Underlying Health Conditions: Certain underlying health conditions can contribute to liver problems and elevated SGOT and SGPT levels. These include metabolic syndrome, diabetes, thyroid disorders, and celiac disease.
Other reasons for high SGPT and SGOT
Elevated SGPT and SGOT levels usually point to liver damage, but other conditions can cause them, too:
- Muscle disorders: Damaged muscle tissue releases SGOT (AST) into the bloodstream.
- Heart conditions: Heart failure can affect how well the liver works, leading to higher enzyme levels.
- Thyroid problems: Sometimes, thyroid problems affect liver enzyme levels.
- Celiac disease: Celiac disease can cause inflammation in the liver.
- Nutrient deficiencies: Certain vitamin or mineral deficiencies can harm your liver.
- Herbal remedies: Be careful with herbal supplements. Some of them are toxic to the liver.
What are the symptoms of high SGOT and SGPT levels?
You may not notice any symptoms at all, especially if your SGPT and SGOT are only mildly elevated. But sometimes, people experience symptoms like:
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
If your liver is damaged, you may also experience these liver-specific symptoms:
- Jaundice (yellowing of your skin and eyes)
- Pain or discomfort in your abdomen, particularly on the upper right side
- Dark urine
- Stools that are pale or clay-colored
How to lower SGOT and SGPT levels naturally
If your doctor has told you that you have high SGOT and SGPT levels, they will probably advise you to change some aspects of your lifestyle. Here are some common recommendations:
- Adopt a liver-friendly diet. Focus on whole, unprocessed foods, and try to limit your alcohol intake.
- Exercise regularly.
- Manage your weight.
- Stay hydrated. Water and green tea are great options.
- Talk to your doctor about supplements. Milk thistle, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids may help, but you should always seek medical advice before taking them.
- Manage underlying conditions. This includes diabetes, high cholesterol, and thyroid issues.
When should you see a doctor?
It’s a good idea to check in with your doctor if:
- Your SGOT/SGPT levels stay high for months.
- You have symptoms such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), stomach pain, or weight loss that you can’t explain.
- You take medications that can affect your liver.
Regular checkups and liver function tests are also a good idea, just to catch anything early.
In Conclusion
SGOT and SGPT levels are like flashing warning lights for your liver. They tell you if something might be wrong and needs attention. Don’t ignore these signals!
If your SGOT and SGPT numbers are high, the most important thing you can do is talk with your doctor. They can figure out what’s going on and create a treatment plan that’s right for you.
Remember, taking care of your liver is a long-term commitment. Simple lifestyle changes, like eating a healthy diet and avoiding excessive alcohol, can go a long way toward keeping your liver happy and healthy.