Raised liver ALT and AST were found during the administration of exogenous testosterone. What is the cause?

One of my friends used Test E to increase his testosterone level to build muscle mass. After a cycle, he have had a blood test and found both his ALT and AST levels are raised. He is quite worry about it and concerned if the exogenous testosterone is responsible for this phenomenon. In response to his problem, we consulted a number of professional users, and they told us several possible reasons.

• Normal adaptive rise

First, his ALT and AST levels were respectively 137 U/L and 64U/L, ref <50, on the high side, but not very high. It may be because he is just starting to use exogenous testosterone, and his body is still adjusting. Test E will cause a temporary increase in liver enzyme levels, but it will not have a major impact on the human body, and will gradually return to normal as the body ADAPTS to Test E. This is obviously what happens when people use drugs. The liver metabolize most drugs that entering the body, temporarily affecting the value of some liver enzymes, and the symptoms will disappear over time or when stop use.

• Infection caused the rise

Another professional wondered if he it cause by infection. Because his AST and ALT levels were 22-35 normally, after blood test, the AST rose to 147 and ALT is 143. He was later diagnosed with streptococcus.

• The rise caused by exercise

At this point, someone asked, “Did you exercise intensely before taking the blood test?” “Does exercise affect test results?” “Yes,” he said. Strenuous physical activity can cause muscle damage, and broken muscle fibers cause enzymes such as ALT, AST, etc. release into the blood stream, resulting in elevated liver enzyme levels in blood test results. Therefore, we should avoid exercising in the 2-3 days before the test. My friend confirms that he had run long distances and lifted weights before taking the blood test. After a full rest, you will find that all the values will return to normal.

• The drug caused the rise

In addition to the above, they also tell us that using other things like AI(aromatase inhibitors), creatine, etc. can cause a temporary increase in liver enzymes. It not necessarily cause by testosterone. In fact, some AAS do have hepatotoxicity, but the effect of testosterone on the liver is not obvious. However, this is not to say that testosterone does not affect liver enzyme values at all. One user who started using testosterone at a dose of 300mg per week saw his ALT and AST levels rise from 30 to 60. After that, he divided the weekly dose into two doses, and his ALT, AST levels remained around 40.

Therefore, the elevation of ALT and AST actually affecte by many factors, what we have to do is to do a good blood test, communicate with the doctor and seek professional advice in a timely manner, do not put yourself into a panic.