What seems to be a problem ? a liver disease ?

Posted by khlitoshi @khlitoshi, Mar 27, 2017

I would be very thankful if someone can have a look at the health issues I am having and guide me.
I am 30 years old male living in South Korea.

Below are the health issues I am experiencing:
Abdominal swelling all the time, no pain but uncomfortable,
swelling in the ankles, especially left side. it's painful when I stand-up after sitting or sleeping for longer period of time (above 30 minutes).
Chronic fatigue.

Below are some test results which might help linking the dots:
SGPT 43
Elevated cholesterol, Total cholesterol 207

What do you think the problem is ? I thought of liver disease, do you think I should test for it?

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Hello @khlitoshi, welcome to Connect.

While we are not able to give medical advice or direction on Mayo Clinic Connect, we are able to Connect with other members to share experiences, information, and how situations were handled when facing similar symptoms.

I would like to invite @rosemarya, @cherriann, @v1crew, and @mollyb1968 to share their thoughts on your symptoms as they all have experience with liver issues.

@khlitoshi, what did your physician say about your test results? Other members are able to share experiences with you and offer some insight, but ultimately we must defer to the expertise of our physicians. Did your tests raise alarm for your physician, or did he or she suspect liver issues?

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An alanine aminotransferase (ALT) test measures the amount of this enzyme in the blood. ALT is found mainly in the liver, but also in smaller amounts in the kidneys, heart, muscles, and pancreas. ALT was formerly called serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT). I found this by looking up SGPT. It looks like it could be a number of things and only the doctor will know for sure. I am sure the doctor will explain. Make sure to ask him/her questions when you have your next visit. You could also ask the nurse to explain.

The normal range of values for AST (SGOT) is from 5 to 40 units per liter of serum (the liquid part of the blood). The normal range of values for ALT (SGPT) is from 7 to 56 units per liter of serum.

Wishing you well on your discoveries.

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@khlitoshi, I am sorry that you are having this swelling. I have a history related to liver disease. So I am speaking as a patient and I'm depending on my memory rather than facts. I never could keep the lab results straight in my head. I want to thank molly for the explanation. For me, I depended on the doctor to say 'Looks good see you in 3 months" or 'We need to check..."
I do remember being told that one lab result is only part of a larger picture. It is only when we have a series of labs or a lab result in combination with other factors that we can get a better idea of what is going on.
As for the swelling. I did experience swelling (ascites). Mostly abdominal when my liver condition progressed to cirrhosis, but by then I was jaundiced and fatigued and nauseous. Then when I suffered acute kidney failure my swelling from fluid retention become immobilizing for me.
Any pain or discomfort was in the right side.

@khlitoshi, you are 30. You are young enough to be my son. So here is how I would advise you (or my own son). When your symptoms begin to interfere with your normal life, then it is time to seek help.
Wishing you the best.
Rosemary

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Thank you very much everyone for taking the time to reply.
I had an ultrasound of the liver, and the doctor said that there is fat on the liver, and no medication is required except that I need to exercise.
No idea from where the fat came from. even though I dont exercise, I never drink alcohol and I don't think lack of exercise can lead to fatty liver at 30 years old.

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@khlitoshi

Thank you very much everyone for taking the time to reply.
I had an ultrasound of the liver, and the doctor said that there is fat on the liver, and no medication is required except that I need to exercise.
No idea from where the fat came from. even though I dont exercise, I never drink alcohol and I don't think lack of exercise can lead to fatty liver at 30 years old.

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@khlitoshi, I'm happy that you went to the doctor. Is there anything to do about the swelling?
Here is information for you.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nonalcoholic-fatty-liver-disease/home/ovc-20211638

Thanks for letting us know what you found out. And be sure to let me know if you have any questions.
Rosemary

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@khlitoshi

Thank you very much everyone for taking the time to reply.
I had an ultrasound of the liver, and the doctor said that there is fat on the liver, and no medication is required except that I need to exercise.
No idea from where the fat came from. even though I dont exercise, I never drink alcohol and I don't think lack of exercise can lead to fatty liver at 30 years old.

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The webpage you sent me is useful. Thank you.
Regarding the swelling and ache of the ankles, I will just forget about it and live with the pain for the moment.
Thank you and have a nice day.

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