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Too much information

Received results from some interesting blood tests today. Some of which I haven't received in a long while, and some I'm not sure I've ever seen before.
CREATININE, SERUM
LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE (LDH)
AST (ASPARTATE AMINOTRANSFERASE), SERUM
ALT (ALANINE AMINOTRANSFERASE), SERUM
BILIRUBIN, TOTAL, SERUM
ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE
ERYTHROCYTE SEDIMENTATION RATE
TOTAL PROTEIN, SERUM

Creatinine and LDH are routine tests, both of which were in the normal range. But it was a different story for the remaining six tests.

Four of the six were in the normal range, but two, the ALT (ALANINE AMINOTRANSFERASE), SERUM, and the ERYTHROCYTE SEDIMENTATION RATE where outside the norm. The ALT being low, and the Sedimentation Rate high.

Now ALT by itself, being low, doesn't seem to be an issue (and according to my doctor, there really shouldn't even be a low range), but when you couple that with the AST, an AST/ALT ratio above 2 can be an indication of alcoholic liver disease. Mine is at 1.93, which got me a little concerned since, as you know, Edie and I do love our wine. But according to my doctor, as long as the ALT and AST are both in the normal range, there's no reason to be concerned. WHEW!

That one test alone was  enough to screw up my day, so I think I'll quit while I'm ahead. One problem is plenty to deal with let alone trying to add to that! Besides the Erythorcyte Sedimention Rate, can be the result of any number of factors, and since my neutrophils were also higher than usual, I'm choosing to ignore that. At least for now.

And my doctor agrees! Too much information is not always a good thing. Next time she won't order so many tests.:)
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Gerry said…
TMI TMI TMI Just ride and live your life.
Well off to the pool!
6:03 AM
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