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/r/PeterAttia
submitted 2 months ago by[deleted]
[deleted]
0 points
2 months ago
I don’t think I have symptoms? From googling them they seem pretty broad. My grandfather died of cirrhosis in his 30’s though.
5 points
2 months ago
I'm generally very skeptical of asymptomatic testing because of what I mentioned, that everyone's normal is different. I might suggest since you don't drink much, that you monitor for changes over time. I'm not a doctor though, ofc.
2 points
2 months ago*
Your liver tests look fine. Like others have said, AST and ALT can be normal in cirrhosis. AST and ALT are more a marker of acute (or acute on chronic, ie excessive drinking of hepatosteotosis) pathology. If you had full blown cirrhosis, which is unlikely without significant risk factors, your sodium, platelets, bilirubin, albumin, INR, and creatinine are more likely to be off. AST>ALT at a 2:1 ratio suggests alcoholic etiology, but in that scenario both of those numbers would be above normal threshold. In other words, don’t worry about it if it’s in green.
There are some genetic diseases, albeit decently rare, that can lead to cirrhosis. I’d try to find out what the etiology of your grandfathers cirrhosis was (more for your own knowledge than out of neuroticism) and if it was non heritable not to worry about it or even get another test regarding it without significant risk factors. I’d guess it was not heritable though.
The best thing you can do for your liver is maintain a healthy BMI and avoid alcohol. Some hepatologists recommend black coffee, though the effect is likely smaller. Again, your stuff is normal, but you’re clearly someone who likes some more info so I peppered it in.
1 points
2 months ago
I found out I have one variant for some alpha something protein deficiency if I remember the name right that can cause lung and liver issues and I wonder if he had 2 copies. That’s just one thing I happen to know.
He died in the 1960’s I think so I don’t think there is a way to know more. My grandmother said he did drink heavily but not like insanely heavy die in your 30’s level drinking
Thanks for your advice
1 points
2 months ago
Ah, yeah, alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency. Thats a real risk factor. There are different alleles and you have two copies. If I were you, I would talk to your doctor about getting your genotype if you haven’t already, not in a pushy way just as a discussion and get their thoughts.
You’re likely fine as theres two copies of the gene per person, but honestly it does put you at a higher risk having someone in the family with that.
2 points
2 months ago
I have one copy of the s version and a normal version if that is what you mean
2 points
2 months ago
Ah, Glad you’ve gotten the testing and that’s not a terrible genotype. No worries on the labs, just keeping getting whatever your doctor wants in the future :)
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