Perhaps you have a special liver. As noted in the excerpt from PubMed above however, those enzymes typically stay elevated for at least a week after exercise. Google AST/ALT/exercise and you’ll see a host of sources asserting to this elevation as a normal occurrence (in the absence of other elevated liver enzymes of course).
" Strenuous exercise or myopathy can cause elevations (especially of AST ) without causing any other symptoms. A creatine kinase or other muscle marker can be obtained to confirm or exclude such a process. Annual screening of healthy, asymptomatic patients for liver disease using ALT and AST levels is not useful."
The liver function parameters, AST and ALT, were significantly increased for at least 7 days after the exercise. In addition, LD and, in particular, CK and myoglobin showed highly elevated levels. These findings highlight the importance of imposing restrictions on weightlifting prior to and during clinical studies. Intensive muscular exercise, e.g. weightlifting, should also be considered as a cause of asymptomatic elevations of liver function tests in daily clinical practice.
Well that’s my point. He has zero reason to flip out. All of his liver enzymes represented on his graphic are fine except for his slightly elevated AST. I’ve sourced my opinion because it’s easy to look up. Google is your friend.
Hi zeek. My AST and ALT have been slightly high for years, consistently. I’d looked into this issue long ago which is why I’m well aware of it now. Also your CK (or CPK) will typically be elevated as well as possibly your BUN and creatinine. CK (MB band specifically) is usually a cardiac marker so that’s also one to be aware of so you don’t flip out if elevated.
I would be worried for me because those aren’t my normal values. But if its something that has been that way for a while like in your situation than i agree it wouldn’t be a major concern
Yes, it’s very important to know how you typically run obviously. But if it’s the first time out of the gate, and your AST is slightly elevated, and that’s the enzyme most likely to elevate after exercise (which it is), it’s important for someone to know that it’s likely not dire and far more likely normal. Again, in the presence of other decent lab values.
Does the OP have pre cycle bloods he can compare to?
This is why i always stress people get thier bloods drawn pre cycle. And preferably once a month for a few months pre cycle to know where they naturally stand at.
This way your not left trying to play blues clues with post cycle bloods
Good question. And his pre-cycle liver enzymes should be similar unless he had a large intensity boost in his training.
Good advice. As a scientist with 20+ years on the bench this stuff is second nature to me, though I realize that’s certainly not the case with everyone.
Unfortunately I do not, the last time I had bloods done was years ago and I’ve had trouble locating those records so I have no pre-cycle base which really sucks at the moment.
After reading up on Hemoglobin, I’m curious as to what is going on there as well. I don’t know how test would lower it. One of the last things I want is to be anemic.
Well, I’m sure T is not lowering it so it’s very likely some other cause. Thing is, T tends to increase it (along with your RBC and HCT) and if your cycle as increased it at all it would mean that your HGB would actually (normally) be lower. As you’ve read by now I’m sure, hgb is the O2 carrying molecule in your blood that gives it its red color. Usually a low H&H (hgb and hct) is indicative of either blood loss or anemia. Your indices (MCV, MCH, MCHC) are normal which is good. Really it’s only your H&H that’s a concern. It requires some further investigation.
Very good to know, I may go to a doc and have all this checked out here in a few weeks. Currently feel fine and haven’t noticed any symptoms associated, but nonetheless if the numbers say potential issue then I have to exercise caution and look into it.
Keep in mind that there’s a range for normal values for a reason; some people run higher and some people run lower normally. Your lab’s range is 13-17 so you’re running just a bit below the lower end of normal. But men tend to run higher and men on gear higher still (for example my HGB is close to 17). If you run too high you might need a therapeutic phlebotomy (basically donate a unit of blood) which will drop your h&H and rbc count accordingly. Of course you’re on the other end currently. So yes, get it checked out when you can but rest assured that your other values seem just fine.