+ 6 How to read a Liver test and why you should take one with your blood test.
No other explanation is needed; Since we all are victims of running orals either in a cycle to start or even finish and some of us actually get liver values taken. This should be a very easy way to read your liver test.
My Endo wants me to have a liver test done because he wants to make sure I am still normal so I gathered all this knowledge for your benefit as well as my own.
Aminotransferases Transaminases The Liver Enzymes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elevated_transaminases
Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT or SGPT)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alanine_transaminase
ALT is liver specific than AST. When this is elevated, there's a good chance your liver is under stress or could be damaged. There are only low concentrations of this enzyme in skeletal muscles and in the kidney. This enzyme has one is said to be one of the high 'specificity' for liver stress/strain.
Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST or SGOT)
AST is found in mass quantities in the kidney and in skeletal muscle, brain and red blood cells. An elevated level of AST is not as generalized for liver damage/stress as is ALT. Elevated AST in the presence of elevated ALT could very well mean liver damage or stress.
Cholestatic Enzymes:
Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP or AP) and Gamma-glutamyl Transferase (GGT)
ALP is found in the bone and liver. Less amounts are present in the intestines, kidneys or white blood cells. ALP is not a huge marker of liver damage unless it is also present with other elevated liver enzymes.
Gamma-glutamyl Transferase (GGT)
GGT is found mostly in the liver. It's one of the biggest markers of liver function. GGT is very sensitive to hepatotoxic drugs (steroids). Elevated GGT in the presence of elevated AST and more ALT tell us to back off and give it a break for a while. You should have your blood tested before beginning another cycle, even after PCT. By doing this, you make sure that the liver has had a chance to regenerate itself before stressing it again.
These values are normal enzyme counts:
ALT normal 10-40 U/L (units per liter)
AST normal 15-50 U/L (units per liter)
ALP normal 37-116 U/L (units per liter)
GGT normal 3-60 IU/L (international units per liter)
Always look at AST and ALT, the GGT enzyme may not be on the test so you should ask your doctor or the lab running the test to mark this one as well. if your AST and ALT are both within the normal range, you can be 99% assured that nothing is wrong with your liver.
If AST and ALT are elevated out of the normal range, get on a PCT for a while and also stop your orals and Injectables. At this point get another blood test with GGT included to see wether or not your liver is under siege. The most accurate way to know if your liver is under fire is to look at the AST/ALT numbers and also the GGT. GGT is the most accurate prediction of liver stress when high levels of AST or ALT
So remember to also drink plenty of water and take your antioxidants; Take a liver test as well as a blood test because wether you believe it or not; AAS in injectable form can or will kill your liver; especially you guys taking over a gram of gear a week and think you are safe. You are not safe because injectables also effect your liver. Your liver was designed to filter NATURAL levels of test; and when we increase that by tenfold we also increase our risk(s)
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Wise words- also check cholesterol as that can be affected badly by oral use- use of supps won't really help while doing orals, but stopping that and using Fish Oils (Omega 3 particularly) and Niacin is helpful- don't get the non-flush Niacin as it's deemed less effective.
Good advice here, thanks IrishMack
This was a great read.. thanks
Bump since i cant copy
I'll never touch oral again. If I do it will be low doses. My liver and kidney values we're screwed up for a year. They are finally back to normal but it isn't worth it to me anymore. I'm glad I get blood tested often. I'm surprised how long it took to even out
Welcome to 802, Orals for me are always dosed low because I certainly do not need a fkd up liver for vanitys sake.
I figured this could use a bump since I am seeing so many people posting a ton of orals in their cycle lately
Great information.
+1
Very good read bro. Much truth. Thumbs up from me.
I just had my enzymes checked after like 3 or 4 weeks into my cycle and again at 8 weeks in my first test both my Ast and ALT were slightly elevated one was 50 something and the other 80 something respectively. Now at 8 weeks they both have dropped a few points. My doc knows nothing of a as use. In your opinion should I discontinue use and tell doc or finish last 3 weeks as the levels were on decline?
Those levels are bad. You are putting yourself at some serious risk for liver scarring that is permanent. If I were you I would end the cycle early as in right now and get your liver back in check. Trust me you do not want to damage your liver because down the road those problems will surface in other forms.
Your right bro. My doc didn't seem that alarmed at my enzyme levels but he also knows nothing of my AaS use. Im ending my cycle early. Thinking I'm also going to get honest with him and get this figured out. My life matters more then muscles.
whatever you do, stay safe.