Liver biopsy

[Myipad3]

Over the last 7 years,  my ALT fluctuated from low 22 to high 200, which I monitored every 3 months or so.   All othernbolld tests, CT and regular ultrasound shows all is well.  But the recurring high ALT is a concern, should I do a biopsy to confirm ? If yes, can biopsy really tell the cause and affect the treatment ?

[Myipad3]

Thank you so very much for your kind advise!

I have a second opinion to first lose some weight, and under medication of : Trental 400 ( pentoxifyline), and Heptral 200 for 6 months before doing the biopsy.  Will this be a better cause of action? any opinion on the above drugs? and will these drugs then mask the ALT level and delay proper actions?  

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

Persistently elevated ALT levels could be an indication for liver biopsy. This is planned after correlating with imaging studies, clinical symptoms and other blood tests. Elevated levels can occur with liver disease, but other causes for the enzyme elevation could be muscle disease or injury. Some medications can also raise these levels. Discuss these options with your consulting doctor.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.