Liver question

[CherylS]

Last week I had my labs done and my AST was 42, with the upper range of normal being 45. I found an old report from November when it was 29. Should I be concerned about this increase? Anyone know what might cause it, other than of course the dreaded liver mets? Thanks

[penelope]

http://www.answers.com/topic/liver-function-tests
It was really helpful in answering some of my questions.
Also my sister is a hematologist..studies blood... and she told me that liver function tests are supposed to be done fasting, but that it rarely happens at an oncologists office. Did you eat before hand?
Hope this helps

[penelope]

http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/liver_panel/glance.html
this is just an overview of many of the types of liver tests, but it is written in pretty simple language, so I thought it might help.

[karenann]

I have never fasted for a liver function test, no matter which of my different docs (and I have several) has ordered the test and my AST for the past four years has been high (pre breast cancer, too). I wonder if that is the reason? I have had every test under the sun, including a liver biopsy and everything comes out ok.

Karen