betcsu Posted April 11, 2006 Share Posted April 11, 2006 i got the lab request form for my first blood work needed since starting my depakote. looking at the chemistry work up thats being requested im wondering what they all mean, why they check for this, and what they look for. can anyone help to explain???? here are the tests they want done: SGOT (AST) SGPT (ALT) Ammonia level thanks in advance for any help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AirMarshall Posted April 11, 2006 Share Posted April 11, 2006 ALT and AST are enzymes created by the liver. If the liver is damaged or inflammed the enzyme levels will go high. Generally, it doesn't matter what the enzymes do since they don't indicate anything special, with the exception that a certain ratio and numbers can indicate high alcohol use (don't lie to your doctor, he's checking). Pdocs should always check liver enzymes along with other blood chemistry checks during the initial intake. The liver processes and de-toxifies most of the meds that we use. If your liver is sick or damaged then your body would not be able to efficiently clear some meds, which could cause toxicity. Conversely, it is possible for some meds to damage the liver. Hence another reason to check it. Depending on your meds and overall health, pdocs may order periodic bloodwork, perhaps yearly. Other reasons that might cause liver enzymes to be elevated might include alcoholic cirrhosis, other cirrhosis, hepatitis, HIV, fatty liver, possibly polycystic liver disease, among others. Ammonia? That indicates when you are using too much Mr. Clean in your kitchen. Actually, ammonia in the blood is another indicator of whether your liver is working correctly and removing it from the blood. The liver should be converting it to urea, which gets eliminated in, ta-da URINE, by the kidneys. Ok, health class is recessed. Tomorrow, the importance of showering! A.M. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betcsu Posted April 11, 2006 Author Share Posted April 11, 2006 ALT and AST are enzymes created by the liver. If the liver is damaged or inflammed the enzyme levels will go high. Generally, it doesn't matter what the enzymes do since they don't indicate anything special, with the exception that a certain ratio and numbers can indicate high alcohol use (don't lie to your doctor, he's checking). <{POST_SNAPBACK}> W@W thanks for the speedy explanation in people talk that i can understand. i just may pass that quiz after all! one question is how much alcohol constitutes high usage. ive cut out all alcohol since a week before this med. (about 2 weeks ago) but i sure would like a glass of wine right now. but i dont wanna make myself sick. is it okay to ever have anything to drink or not. im taking 500mg depakote. thanks again and glad to see you back. and glad you had a good 'nap'! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa_K Posted April 12, 2006 Share Posted April 12, 2006 ALT and AST are enzymes created by the liver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betcsu Posted April 17, 2006 Author Share Posted April 17, 2006 i had my blood work done today. i found a web site that gives me normal levels for SGOT but i cant find one for SGPT or ammonia. does anyone have a link where i can check what the normal level range is supposed to be for these other two? thanks in advance and let me know. -betsy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AirMarshall Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 I suggest that you wait until your doc gets the results back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betcsu Posted April 17, 2006 Author Share Posted April 17, 2006 thanks for the info A.M. i actually got my numbers today, too. i got the test done at the hospital and they phoned the numbers to my doc who wrote them down for me. i dont have their ranges but at least i know what MY numbers are: SGOT (16) SGPT (13) Ammonia (18.0) L since i have my numbers, i was hoping to have some general ranges to go by. thanks again for the info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betcsu Posted April 17, 2006 Author Share Posted April 17, 2006 aha! i found this for ammonia levels: http://www.webmd.com/hw/lab_tests/hw1768.asp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AirMarshall Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 Ok, that's a much simpler description than what I was going to post. Simple is better here. So, given your results it looks like you are pretty much in the clear and your liver is not trying to kill you. That's always good. And, it's NOT your liver that is making you crazy. You've got regular old crazy. Sleep better tonight. Best, a.m. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncc1701 Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 Heya betcsu, Late to your thread hon. What AM said, and have a good sleep. --ncc-- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betcsu Posted April 18, 2006 Author Share Posted April 18, 2006 well, i still woke several times last nite but sleep i did. they upped my depakote to 1000mg and added remoeron 15mg. thanks for the wishes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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