Increased ALT Levels :(

[nzprasun]

Hi all,

We just got our medicals completed and the guys present in the medical centre told that my wife has slightly increased ALT level in Liver Function test. She also asked to take Hepatitis C antibody test to be on the safer side before going to immigration. Doctor will see the report only on Monday.

Normal level: 30
My wife had: 49

anyone have idea about this? any experiences?

Cheers

[happydave]

It could be any number of things. She may have eaten something high in iron prior to the test.
I had a similar result about 18 months ago (except the level was almost 70) turned out to be because I eat raw white cabbage as a snack.

I'm sure all will turn out fine.

[nzprasun]

thanks happydave

[harpreet]

hi there..
actually i applied for student visa. nd my co told me tht due to elevated sgpt count(77) my medicals are forwareded to ma nd told me it will take six week time. can ny bdy tell me what will happen now. will my case be rejected or something.. my panel doctor had sent me specialist reports also with other med cert.. pls guide mee..

[JandM]

The MA will look at the medical report, to judge whether these results matter very much, or not. (INZ does not usually admit to the country anyone whose treatment is going to cost the NZ Health Service more than $25,000.) The MA may ask you to have a consultation with another doctor, or more tests, or to send a report from your own doctor, to help to judge the case.

If you did not know you had a problem before this, it would be a good idea to go to your own doctor straight away, to ask if you should have some treatment, and, if so, to get started on it. That way, if the MA asks for a report, you will already have done something about the condition if necessary, and your doctor will be able to say what it is (so the MA could judge cost), and what effect it has already had on you. In fact, you could ask your doctor to write up his/her opinion and send that to the CO to pass on to the MA - this MIGHT speed up the whole process.

I looked up on Google about raised SGPT levels, and they NEED not be a sign of illness - they can be as a result of a minor infection, some medication you have taken, or of drinking alcohol shortly before the test.

[harpreet]

thanx a lot sir jandM for your reply.
can u pls tell me how much time does ma takes to review medical certificates...

[Sun777]

thanx a lot sir jandM for your reply.
can u pls tell me how much time does ma takes to review medical certificates...

Not sure how much is turnaround time for your processing branch but it took us 4-6 weeks.

[harpreet]

thanx for replying sir..very frustrating time...

[Carnegie]

I had heart surgery in 2008 to replace a valve and in 2010 developed diabetes. I did my medical in the UK in July 2011 and has raised liver functions (47 against 30-35) if I remember correctly. When I was referred to the MA in August he came back and requested further Liver Function tests (LFTS). I fasted and went mad depriving myself of alcohol, carbs, everything and had the test retaken. To my dismay I was still at 47 because it apparently takes ages to change.

My emigration consultant was very calm and relaxed. She told me to get a letter from my doctor saying that I had lost weight (have you since your last visit to the doctor or medical), was taking my health seriously and that I had very mild Fatty Liver Disease that was very unlikely to lead to further major health issues. This letter was returned to the MA on September 10th and I was given the green light a week later. Our whole application was approved at the end of September and my family and I are now happily settled outside Auckland.

As my GP said - if the rest of your blood tests are fine (as mine were) a raised level here or there is not indicative of any major problem - the GP's letter should cover the bases enough to put the MA's mind at rest.

I wish you the very best of luck.

[harpreet]

hmm thnax sir..as i my case panel dctr told me tht my other tests are normal. i dont drink and m veg. but dont knw hw was tht caused. nw m totally frustrated as its been about 5 weeks tht neither i recieved any call nor any reply from co... nd they even didnt asked any retest..