Reports on the results of lab work can be baffling. Many physicians
don't take much time to explain such things, and the patient can be
left with a plate of alphabet soup that is virtually unintelligible.
I've gathered some information that will de-mystify things a bit. The
reason your doctor didn't seem concerned is probably because he or she
has no reason to believe that anything is badly out of whack. Few
people are totally average in all aspects of blood chemistry. Being
high in some areas and low in others is not necessarily a sign that
anything is wrong. Everyone's chemistry is somewhat different. Since
your physician is aware of your medical history and what kinds of
medication you may be taking, he or she can evaluate lab results in
view of your own unique circumstances.
Let's take a look at your areas of concern:
SGPT 69
RBC-HCT-HGB Slightly low
MCH-PLT Slightly high
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SGPT stands for "Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase."
"SGPT: Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, an enzyme that is normally
present in liver and heart cells. SGPT is released into blood when the
liver or heart are damaged. The blood SGPT levels are thus elevated
with liver damage (for example, from viral hepatitis) or with an
insult to the heart (for example, from a heart attack). Some
medications can also raise SGPT levels."
MedTerms: SGPT
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=6321
"The normal GPT range for adults in most labs is 0 to 35 units per
liter (U/L). The normal range may vary slightly from lab to lab.
Normal ranges are usually shown next to your results in the lab
report.
Your SGPT level may be much higher than normal (up to 50 times the
upper limit of normal) if:
-You have liver damage from an acute viral infection such as viral
hepatitis A, B, or C.
-You have liver damage caused by medicines you have taken.
Your SGPT levels may be higher than normal also if:
-You drink too much alcohol.
-You have mononucleosis.
-You have chronic liver infection or inflammation.
-You have gallbladder inflammation, such as may caused by gallstones.
-You have a gallbladder infection.
-You have congested blood flow through the liver due to heart failure.
-You have liver cancer or another cancer that has spread to the liver.
-You are taking certain medicines, such as:
medicines used to lower cholesterol levels
antifungal medicines
some narcotics and barbiturates
methotrexate
acetaminophen
salicylates (aspirin)."
University of Michigan Health System: Blood (Serum) Glutamate Pyruvate
Transaminase (SGPT) Test
http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/aha/aha_sgpt_crs.htm
"AST (SGOT) and ALT (SGPT) are sensitive indicators of liver damage
from different types of disease. But it must be emphasized that
higher-than-normal levels of these liver enzymes should not be
automatically equated with liver disease. They may mean liver problems
or they may not. The interpretation of elevated AST and ALT levels
depends upon the whole clinical picture and so it is best done by
doctors experienced in evaluating liver disease."
MedicineNet: Liver Blood Tests
http://www.medicinenet.com/liver_blood_tests/page3.htm
Your SGPT of 69 is indeed higher than normal. A high SGPT can be a
sign of serious medical conditions, but it can also be caused by drugs
(even common medications like aspirin and Tylenol). Sometimes the
cause of the elevation just isn't known. I have had an elevated SGPT
(over 100) for most of my life. It went even higher when I had
gallstones, but has never been normal. My grandmother had similarly
high SGPT results, for no known reason. She lived to be ninety-eight
years old.
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RBC-HCT-HGB
These are basic blood tests. RBC stands for "Red Blood Cell" or "Red
Blood Count." HCT is an abbreviation of "Hematocrit." HGB is an
abbreviation of "Hemoglobin." All of these are related to the capacity
of the blood to transport oxygen to the body's cells. Slight
variations from the norm, whether high or low, are not likely to be a
cause for alarm.
"Red blood cell (RBC) count. Red blood cells carry oxygen from the
lungs to the rest of the body. They also help carry carbon dioxide
back to the lungs so it can be exhaled. The red blood cell count shows
the number of red blood cells in a sample of blood. If the RBC count
is low, the body may not be getting the oxygen it needs. If the count
is too high (a condition called polycythemia), there is a risk that
the red blood cells will clump together and block tiny blood vessels
(capillaries).
Hematocrit (HCT, packed cell volume, PCV). This test measures the
amount of space (volume) red blood cells occupy in the blood. The
value is given as a percentage of red blood cells in a volume of
blood. For example, a hematocrit of 38 means that 38% of the blood's
volume is composed of red cells.
Hemoglobin (Hgb). Hemoglobin is the major substance in a red blood
cells. It carries oxygen and gives the blood cell it's red color. The
hemoglobin test measures the amount of hemoglobin in blood and is a
good indication of the blood's ability to carry oxygen throughout the
body."
WebMD: Complete Blood Count (CBC)
http://my.webmd.com/hw/health_guide_atoz/hw4260.asp
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MCH-PLT
MCH stands for "Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin." PLT is an abbreviation of "Platelet."
"Red blood cell indices. There are three red blood cell indices: mean
corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean
corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). They are measured by a
machine and their values are determined from other measurements noted
during a CBC. The MCV shows the size of the red blood cells. The MCH
value is the amount of hemoglobin in an average red blood cell. The
MCHC measures the concentration of hemoglobin in an average red blood
cell. These numbers help in the diagnosis of different types of
anemia...
Platelet (thrombocyte) count. Platelets (thrombocytes) are the
smallest type of blood cell. They play a major role in blood clotting.
When bleeding occurs, the platelets swell, clump together, and form a
sticky plug that helps stop the bleeding. If there are too few
platelets, uncontrolled bleeding may be a problem. If there are too
many platelets, there is a risk of a blood clot forming in a blood
vessel. Also, platelets may be involved in hardening of the arteries,
or atherosclerosis."
WebMD: Complete Blood Count (CBC)
http://my.webmd.com/hw/health_guide_atoz/hw4260.asp
Here's a useful document from the National Institutes of Health,
"Understanding Your Complete Blood Count":
NIH: Understanding Your Complete Blood Count
http://www.cc.nih.gov/ccc/patient_education/pepubs/cbc97.pdf
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My Google search strategy:
Google Web Search: "elevated SGPT"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22elevated+SGPT%22
Google Web Search: SGPT RBC HCT HGB MCH PLT
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=SGPT+RBC+HCT+HGB+MCH+PLT
Google Web Search: understanding "complete blood count"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=understanding+%22complete+blood+count%22
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I hope this is helpful. Please keep in mind that Google Answers is not
a source of authoritative medical advice. The material I've posted is
for general informational purposes, and should not be viewed as a
diagnosis, nor as a substitute for the services of a qualified medical
professional.
If anything I've said is unclear or incomplete, please request
clarification; I'll be glad to offer further assistance before you
rate my answer.
Best regards,
pinkfreud |
