Abnormal Liver Enzymes: A Comprehensive Guide
If your blood contains high amounts of liver enzymes, you have elevated liver enzymes. Elevated levels of liver enzymes could be transient or indicative of a medical illness such as liver disease or hepatitis.
Proteins called liver enzymes quicken chemical events throughout your body. These chemical reactions include the breakdown of food and poisons, the production of bile and chemicals that aid in blood clotting, and the defense against infection.
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Get A Second OpinionFunctions and Types of Liver Enzymes
- ALP, or alkaline phosphatase.
- Transaminase of Alanine (ALT).
- Transaminase from aspartate (AST).
- GGT, or gamma-glutamyl transferase.
- Enzymes (mostly ALT or AST) are released into your bloodstream when your liver is harmed.
Symptoms of Elevated Liver Enzymes
- Stomach or abdominal ache
- Dark feces
- Lethargic sensation (fatigue)
- Burning
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes is called jaundice
- Pale stool color (poop)
- Appetite decline
- Vomiting as well as nausea
Treatment of High Liver Enzymes
- Monitoring and follow-up blood tests
- Imaging procedures like MRI, CT scan, or ultrasound
- Referral to a hepatologist (liver specialist)
- Treatment tailored to the underlying cause
Prevention of Elevated Liver Enzymes
- Alcohol moderation or abstinence
- Avoiding needle sharing and blood-contaminated objects
- Balanced diet
- Hepatitis A and B immunization
- Blood sugar control for diabetes
- Disclosure of all medications and supplements to healthcare provider
- Weight management through diet and exercise
Reasons for Abnormal Liver Enzymes
- Your doctor may use a liver panel or liver function test (LFT) to measure the levels of liver enzymes in your body. One kind of blood test is a liver function test. If you are experiencing symptoms or are at risk for liver illness or injury, your doctor may request an LFT during a routine examination.
- Infections, drugs, medical conditions, and liver disorders can bring on elevated liver enzymes.
Reasons for Increased Liver Enzymes
- Some medications, such as acetaminophen and statins, decrease cholesterol.
- Condition of hemochromatosis
- Hepatitis A, B, C, alcoholic hepatitis, and hepatitis caused by an autoimmune disease.
- Vitamin A, iron, chamomile tea, and scrub are examples of herbal and vitamin supplements.
Additional reasons for increased liver enzymes include:
- Deficit of alpha-1 antitrypsin
- Cancer
- Gluten intolerance
- Inflammation of the liver
- Hemolysis
- Syndrome of metabolism
- Muscular disorders, such as polymyositis
- Illness of the thyroid
- Wilson illness
- Cholangitis with sclerosing primary
Risk Factors for High Liver Enzymes
- You run the risk of having high liver enzymes for the following reasons:
- Drinking alcohol.
- Certain drugs, herbal remedies, and vitamin supplements.
- Diabetes.
- Liver disease in the family background.
- Exposure to or infection with hepatitis.
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