Mr. Chow, 63 years old, is very concerned about his health, so he has always been in good health. Recently, however,He began to feel a loss of appetite and often experienced pain in his right upper quadrantThis bothered him so much that he decided to go to the hospital to consult a doctor to find out the cause.
At the hospital, Mr. Zhou underwent a series of tests. The results showedHis alanine aminotransferase (105 u l) and aspartate aminotransferase (97 u l) were markedly elevatedSuggesting that he had a liver problem, doctors diagnosed him with liver damage. The result made Mr. Zhou's heart even heavier, and he began to worry about whether he was suffering from a serious illness.
After being admitted to the hospital, Mr. Zhou was placed next to a patient in the same ward. The patient told him that he also had elevated alanine aminotransferase and that he had been diagnosed with liver cancer. The news made Mr. Zhou even more anxious, and he began to worry that he might also have liver cancer, but his family did not tell him.
This anxiety and worry kept Mr. Zhou awake at night, his mind was in a mess, and he repeatedly asked his family, but they all said he was thinking too much. He tried to find the doctor, hoping to get some explanation, and finally, the doctor noticed his situation and communicated with him in depth.
The doctor told Mr. Zhou,Elevated alanine aminotransferase does not necessarily mean liver cancer. He explainedThe diagnosis of malignancy usually requires a combination of examination results, including imaging tests and liver biopsyHowever, the above results indicate that Mr. Zhou only has liver damage.
In addition, the most important point is that Mr. Zhou'sAlpha-fetoprotein level (the gold standard for diagnosing this tumor).Also within the normal range.
Hearing the doctor's explanation, Mr. Zhou finally breathed a sigh of relief. He understands that there is no need for him to worry excessively, and the most important thing now is to actively cooperate** and recover his health.
During his hospitalization, Mr. Zhou received the doctor's ** plan, he improved his diet, adjusted his lifestyle, and complied with the doctor's instructions. Gradually, his symptoms began to ease and his indicators gradually returned to the normal range. A week later, the doctor told Mr. Zhou that he had recovered well and was ready to be discharged. Mr. Zhou was very happy and determined to pay more attention to his health after being discharged from the hospital.
Like Mr. Zhou, when there are abnormal signals in the body, we can't help but fall into endless anxiety and speculation.
So let's take a look at what's going on with the elevated alanine aminotransferase level? Only if you understand the reason, you will not be frightened by some small lesions.
Alanine aminotransferase, abbreviated as ALT on the examination report in some hospitals, is an enzyme found in the human liver and other tissues [1]. Normally, alanine aminotransferase levels are low, ranging from 0 to 40 u l.
When the liver or other tissues are damaged, this enzyme is released into the bloodstream, causing its concentration to rise.
Therefore, when alanine aminotransferase levels are elevated, it may mean that there is something abnormal in the liver. When the level of this enzyme is greater than 40 u l, 80 u l, and 120 u l, it means that the liver has been damaged mildly, moderately, or severely.
The liver is one of the most important organs in our body, and it plays a variety of important roles in the body, including breaking down toxins, synthesizing proteins, and storing energy. However, the liver is also susceptible to various factors, including viral infections, drugs*** alcohol abuse, etc.
When this organ is damaged, aminotransferases are released, causing abnormal concentrations in the blood. WhileAminotransferases include alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, with the former being more sensitive because the former is mainly found in the liver, while the latter is mainly found in the heart muscle. In general, if 1% of liver cells are damaged, the former may be 1 times higher.
One of the common causes of elevated alanine aminotransferase is hepatitis, which is inflammation of the liver caused by bacterial or viral infections that attack liver cells, causing cell damage and an inflammatory response that can increase alanine aminotransferase levels. Other causes of elevated levels of these enzymes include drugs or drug overdoses, hepatocellular carcinoma, fatty liver disease, etc.
In addition to these causes, damage to other organs or tissues may also cause elevated levels of this enzyme.
For example, myocardial infarction causes myocardial cells to die, releasing large amounts of alanine aminotransferase into the bloodstream [2]. Similarly, muscle damage, acute pancreatitis, etc., may also cause elevated alanine aminotransferase levels.
When alanine aminotransferase levels are found to be elevated during a physical examination or examination, it may be due to liver disease or damage to other organs. We should carry out further tests in time to determine the specific cause, including blood tests, radiographs, pathological examinations, etc. Based on the results of the examination, the doctor can determine the cause of the elevated alanine aminotransferase and formulate a corresponding ** plan for the patient.
Now that we have learned about the causes of alanine aminotransferase abnormalities, many people may have questions: Is elevated alanine aminotransferase liver cancer? How high is it to be diagnosed with liver cancer? After all, cancer is more harmful to the body and mind, and everyone wants to know this knowledge in order to grasp their health as much as possible, so let's go deep into this problem.
First of all, we need to correct one point:Some people mistakenly believe that when alanine aminotransferase levels are elevated, it means liver cancer, but this is not true. Liver cancer is a malignant tumor that usually originates in liver cells, and early liver cancer often has no obvious symptoms.
When liver cancer occurs, the liver tissue is damaged, and alanine aminotransferase naturally increases. However, other factors may also contribute to the increase in alanine aminotransferase levels, such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, medications***, etc.
Therefore, an elevated alanine aminotransferase level may be a reference indicator for liver cancer, but it cannot be used as a direct basis for diagnosis, and there is no fixed value or range that can be used to diagnose liver cancer. The diagnosis of liver cancer requires a comprehensive evaluation through a variety of examination methods, including alpha-fetoprotein testing, liver ultrasound, liver CT scan, MRI, etc.
The normal range for alanine aminotransferase is 0-40 U L, and in general, if this value is exceeded2-fold or more or persistent and repeated elevations, accompaniedProgressive weight loss, persistent right upper quadrant pain, jaundice (** and yellowish whites of the eyes), or ascitesand other symptoms, and the test results showAlpha-fetoprotein is higher than 500, and there are nodules with indistinct borders within the liver, or a mass with uneven signal on magnetic resonance imagingand so on, and we should attach great importance to it. At this point, a liver biopsy must be performed promptly to determine the nature of the tumor.
Liver cancer, a frightening disease, has become a worldwide health threat. However, there is still a lack of comprehensive understanding of the causes of liver cancer. Therefore, we also need to understand some behaviors that can easily lead to liver cancer, so as to consciously avoid these behaviors and help us prevent this terrible disease.
First of all, long-term alcohol addiction is one of the main factors leading to liver malignancy
Alcohol irritates the liver, leading to cell damage and inflammation, which increases the risk of liver cancer. In addition, alcohol interferes with the normal function of the liver, affecting the metabolism and removal of harmful substances by the liver. Therefore, for those with heavy drinking habits, reducing alcohol intake is key to preventing liver cancer.
Secondly, chronic hepatitis virus infection is also an important cause of liver cancer
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are the most common types of hepatitis viruses, and they can be transmitted through blood, sex, or mother-to-child. Long-term viral infections can lead to liver cell damage and cirrhosis, ultimately increasing the risk of liver cancer. Therefore, vaccination, avoidance of high-risk behaviors, and promptly** are important measures to prevent liver cancer.
In addition, obesity and unhealthy eating habits are also closely related to the occurrence of liver cancer
Obesity leads to the accumulation of fat in the liver, which in turn triggers fatty liver and liver fibrosis, and these pathological changes increase the risk of liver cancer. Unhealthy eating habits, such as diets high in sugar, salt and fat, as well as regular consumption of long-term or moldy foods, can also put a burden on the liver and increase the risk of liver cancer.
Therefore, maintaining an appropriate weight, eating a balanced diet, and eating more fresh fruits and vegetables are essential to prevent liver cancer.
In addition, long-term exposure to chemicals and toxins is also one of the causes of liver cancer
Some industrial chemicals, pesticides, and certain drugs contain ingredients that are harmful to the liver, and long-term exposure to these harmful substances can lead to liver damage and cell mutations, which can increase the risk of liver cancer. Therefore, in our work and life, we should minimize the chance of exposure to these harmful substances and take necessary protective measures.
In summary, the formation of liver cancer is closely related to a variety of behaviors. Long-term alcohol abuse, chronic hepatitis virus infection, obesity and unhealthy eating habits, and long-term exposure to chemicals and toxins may increase the risk of liver cancer.
In order to prevent liver cancer, we should change bad habits, strengthen health management, avoid high-risk behaviors, and have regular physical examinations and screenings. In addition, consciously learning about the prevention of liver cancer and raising awareness and awareness of the disease are also important measures to prevent the spread of liver cancer.
Mr. Zhou developed anxiety and concern due to elevated alanine aminotransferase. However, the doctor also told him that the diagnosis of liver cancer could not be confirmed by the elevated alanine aminotransferase alone, and that a comprehensive judgment based on the results of other examinations was required.
Mr. Zhou's case reminds us not to be overly anxious when faced with the results of the examination, and to fully communicate and explain with the doctor in order to obtain an accurate diagnosis and ** plan. No matter what the disease, as long as we follow a healthy lifestyle, have regular medical check-ups, and follow the doctor's instructions actively**, we can effectively prevent and reduce the occurrence of critical illness and bring ourselves a healthier future!
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Li Jian, Zhao Zhuo, Jiang Hui, etc. The value of alanine aminotransferase elevation on the in-hospital mortality rate of patients with acute myocardial infarction[J].BMC Cardiovascul Disease, 2021, 21(1): 82
3] Cheng Shuping, Li Ming, Tan Shiyun. The diagnostic value of serum AFP, PIVKA-, GGT and GGT ALT in early primary liver cancer[J].Shandong Medicine, 2021, 61 (01): 61-65