Hi nymima, Elevated liver enzymes can be any of the ALT, AST, Alkaline Phosphotase, Bilirubin, Albumin. If someone has a liver issue then they will also have a kidney issue too. Chronic Kidney Disease occurs at the same time as fatty liver. Creatinine is a most important score for kidneys which should not rise above 1.05 mg/dl. Other kidney scores are BUN/Creatinine, sodium, potassium, calcium. High calcium in the blood means kidneys are not filtering as well. If the doctor runs a comprehensive metabolic panel blood test, then that gives liver/kidney scores. The eGFR scores are helpful for patients, but the kidney (nephrologist) doctor goes by the creatinine scores. If your mother has dark burnt orange urine then that is an indication of chronic kidney disease/liver.

I have a diet low in sodium (low salt) and low potassium which is helpful. Naturally, talk to your mother's doctor about the appropriate diet for her to keep her organs functioning at their best.

I hope this helps. Best Wishes.

TY for your reply. Mom is 89 yrs. old. Creatinine levels are 1.1. Alt is 79, Ast is 66, BUN is 27. Ca is 9.3. K is within range. I feel some levels are rather high - not just borderline. Should I be asking her doctor about this? As I said, he just mentions the higher liver enzymes, but doesn't seem too concerned. These numbers seem to be slowly increasing. We see him every 6 months.

I never see her urine as she still lives on her own. She is legally blind, and I can't rely on her to tell me if she has discolored urine or not.

Hi nymima, Do ask the doctor to explain your mother's blood work. Find out if the doctor ran a urine test too. A phone call might work.

If my ALT and AST were the scores you mentioned then I would be feeling crummy. Do ask the doctor "Where do we go from here?" Find out if there is a treatment too. Ask if the doctor believes the scores will go back down? My liver enzymes do go up and down. If I continue to feel crummy then I make an appointment.

It is important for my own peace of mind to know exactly the meaning of my blood work scores. I always write down my questions for my appointments too.

I hope this helps.

TY trpt1 - I would love to know what you mean by feeling "crummy". Mom is very tired - no get up and go at all. This is not like her. She takes a lot of meds for afib, and I attribute her lack of energy to her high dose of a beta blocker and afib itself. She is not her usual energetic self, but I wonder if she even knows how to put it into words. Is what I described "feeling crummy" to you? Or do you have a different description for feeling crummy? Sorry to be so detailed, but I'm wondering what else she may be feeling with her elevated numbers.

Hi nymima, Good question about feeling crummy. I have Dermatomyositis with Lupus. My elevated liver enzymes have a different meaning and different results for me. High elevated liver enzymes for me will cause both arms & legs to have severe weakness where I will need a walker or wheelchair. I am also tired a great deal with little get up & go. I will get mild headaches. It is much like the beginning feeling of the flu.

You mentioned your mother's Afib. You could ask the cardiologist if you mother might need an adjustment in her medications. Sometimes taking too high a dosage of some medications could cause the liver to elevate too. Finding the correct dosage amounts might make a difference.
I knew a lady who had Afib and the cardiologist prescribed an antibiotic for a short time, and she felt much better. You could also consider a second opinion if necessary too.

I hope your mother will feel better soon. I will keep her in my prayers. Best Wishes.