Abnormal liver enzymes usually refer to higher than normal levels of enzymes produced by the liver. The liver is responsible for producing several key enzymes, including alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT). Levels of these enzymes are typically measured during blood tests to determine liver function.
Elevated levels of these enzymes usually indicate that the liver is injured or inflamed. This can be caused by a variety of conditions, such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, fatty liver disease, alcohol abuse, certain medications, and other factors affecting liver health. However, it’s important to note that abnormal liver enzymes do not always indicate a serious liver problem. Some people may have increased liver enzymes without any apparent liver disease.
Symptoms might not always be present but could include fatigue, appetite loss, dark urine, yellow skin or eyes (jaundice), and more. It’s imperative to consult a healthcare provider if one shows signs of liver disease or has abnormal test results indicating high liver enzyme levels.
Causes of Abnormal Liver Enzymes
Abnormal liver enzymes might indicate damage or inflammation in your liver cells. Higher than normal levels of liver enzymes in your blood may suggest a problem with your liver. Here are the common reasons for increased liver enzyme levels:
1. Alcohol consumption: Chronic alcohol abuse is a common reason for elevated liver enzymes.
2. Hepatitis: Hepatitis A, B, and C viruses cause inflammation of the liver, resulting in elevated liver enzymes.
3. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): NAFLD is caused by the build-up of fat in the liver, which can inflame or damage liver tissue.
4. Obesity: Obesity is associated with a higher risk of developing liver disease which can result in abnormal liver enzymes.
5. Overuse of certain medications: Some medicines, such as over-the-counter pain relievers and statins used to control cholesterol, can increase liver enzyme levels.
6. Autoimmune liver diseases: In conditions like autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis, the immune system mistakenly attacks and harms the liver, causing liver enzyme levels to rise.
7. Metabolic or inherited liver diseases: Certain metabolic disorders, including Wilson’s disease, hemochromatosis, and Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, lead to abnormal storage of substances in the liver, resulting in liver damage.
Remember, having abnormal liver enzymes isn’t a disease itself but rather an indicator of potential problems. If liver enzyme levels are found to be high during a blood test, further testing might be recommended to identify the underlying cause. It’s always best to consult a healthcare provider for further examination and treatment.
Risk Factors of Abnormal Liver Enzymes
Abnormal liver enzymes can indicate inflammation or damage to cells in your liver. Inflamed or injured liver cells leak higher amounts of certain chemicals, including enzymes, into your blood, which can result in elevated liver enzymes on blood tests. Certain risk factors can contribute to abnormal liver enzymes:
1. Alcohol Consumption: Heavy, prolonged drinking can lead to cirrhosis, alcohol-related liver disease, liver failure, or liver cancer, causing an increase in liver enzymes.
2. Obesity: Overweight individuals are at a higher risk of developing fatty liver disease, a condition in which fat builds up in the liver, causing inflammation and damage, and subsequently leading to abnormal liver enzymes.
3. Hepatitis: Both viral (like hepatitis A, B, and C) and non-viral hepatitis (like autoimmune hepatitis) can lead to inflammation of the liver, resulting in abnormal liver enzyme levels.
4. Medications and Drugs: Certain medications, including over-the-counter pain medications, cholesterol-lowering drugs, and antibiotics can damage liver cells leading to raised liver enzyme levels.
5. Genetic Disorders: Certain inherited diseases like Wilson’s disease, hemochromatosis, or Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency can lead to abnormal liver enzymes.
6. Certain types of cancers: Liver cancer or cancers that spread to liver can lead to elevated liver enzymes.
7. Age: The risk increases with age due to longer overall exposure to environmental and dietary toxins, viruses, obesity, and alcohol.
8. Certain chronic conditions: Conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol, and triglycerides; autoimmune disorders; thyroid disorders; or celiac disease can lead to liver damage and result in elevated liver enzymes.
Doing regular health checkups and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help mitigate these risks. It’s crucial to seek prompt medical care if you’re experiencing signs of liver problems, such as abdominal pain or swelling, jaundice, dark urine, nausea, vomiting, or chronic fatigue.
Signs and Symptoms of Abnormal Liver Enzymes
Elevated liver enzymes might indicate inflammation or damage to cells in the liver and usually suggest liver disease even when there might be no visible symptoms initially. However, if symptoms do develop, they may include:
1. Jaundice: This condition can make the skin and the whites of the eyes look yellowish due to the accumulation of bilirubin, a byproduct of broken-down red blood cells.
2. Dark Urine Color: The urine may be dark yellow or brown due to the release of bilirubin into your kidneys.
3. Pale Stool Color: Stool can also turn light, chalky color, due to a decrease in bile.
4. Nausea and Vomiting: Your body might try to get rid of harmful substances which can result in feelings of nausea or physical sickness.
5. Fatigue and Weakness: The liver helps your body store energy; disease may make you feel tired or weak.
6. Abdominal Pain: Liver disease can cause pain in the upper right area of your abdomen.
7. Swelling in Legs and Ankles: Your liver helps create proteins needed for fluid balance. When it’s not working properly, fluid can build up in lower extremities causing swelling.
8. Itchy Skin: Liver disease can cause waste products to accumulate, leading to itchy skin.
9. Loss of Appetite or unintended weight loss
10. Changes in mental state: such as confusion or disorientation as toxins typically broken down by the liver enter the bloodstream and affect the brain.
Always remember, these symptoms don’t always occur with abnormal liver enzymes or liver disease. However, if any of these symptoms are noticeable and persistent, one should seek medical advice.
Diagnosis Abnormal Liver Enzymes
Abnormal liver enzymes are typically discovered during routine blood tests. They don’t have any symptoms of their own. Rather, they are an indicator that there may be an issue with your liver that needs further examination.
Liver enzymes, including alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST), are proteins that your liver cell produces to help with chemical reactions in the body. When levels of these enzymes are higher or lower than normal, it usually suggests that your liver is damaged or inflamed.
The cause for abnormal liver enzymes can be numerous, such as alcohol consumption, obesity, hepatitis, cirrhosis, celiac disease, heart failure, medications, or maybe even a tumor in the liver.
After finding abnormal liver enzymes, typically the next step would be for the doctor to try and find the cause through further tests and evaluation. Treatment then would depend on the underlying cause. It’s also worth noting that in some cases, the enzyme levels can normalize on their own without any specific treatment.
Treatment of Abnormal Liver Enzymes
The treatment of abnormal liver enzymes largely depends on the underlying cause of the abnormality.
1. Lifestyle changes: If the liver damage is due to alcohol or drug misuse, obesity, or an unhealthy diet, making certain lifestyle changes can help improve liver health. This may include quitting alcohol or drugs, losing weight, exercising regularly, and eating a healthy diet.
2. Medications: If a certain medication is causing abnormal liver enzymes, the doctor might adjust the dosage or switch to a different medication. Medications might also be used if the cause of the liver enzyme abnormality is a disease or condition, such as hepatitis or a metabolic disorder.
3. Treating underlying condition: Often, the abnormal liver enzymes are due to another underlying condition such as hepatitis, fatty liver disease, or cirrhosis. In these cases, treatment would focus on managing the underlying condition.
4. Surgery: In severe cases or in situations where a blockage is causing liver problems, surgery might be required.
In addition, regular monitoring of the liver enzyme levels will be necessary to determine if the treatment is working or if adjustments to the treatment plan are required.
Remember that only a health professional can determine the appropriate treatment for abnormal liver enzymes. Therefore, it’s important to discuss with your healthcare provider to address this issue accurately.
Medications commonly used for Abnormal Liver Enzymes
Abnormal liver enzymes usually indicate liver problems like Hepatitis, Cirrhosis, or Liver disease. Here are some medications often used to treat conditions that lead to abnormal liver enzymes:
1. Ursodeoxycholic Acid: Used to treat a variety of liver disorders such as primary biliary cirrhosis and gallstones. This medication works by decreasing the production of cholesterol and by dissolving the cholesterol in the bile so that it can’t form stones.
2. Prednisone and Azathioprine: These are types of steroids and immunosuppressants often used to treat autoimmune hepatitis, a disease in which the body’s immune system attacks liver cells.
3. N-acetylcysteine: Used to treat liver damage caused by an overdose of acetaminophen.
4. Ledipasvir-Sofosbuvir (Harvoni): A medication used to treat Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.
5. Lactulose: This is a type of sugar that’s broken down in the bowel into substances that draw water out from the body and into the bowel. Lactulose can also be used to treat accumulation of ammonia in the blood (hepatic encephalopathy), a complication of liver disease.
6. Beta Blockers: These reduce blood pressure and thus can prevent the onset of variceal bleeding – a complication of cirrhosis.
7. Cholestyramine, Colesvelam and Colestipol: These medicines are used to lower cholesterol levels by binding to bile acids which are produced by the liver to digest fats. This could help in certain liver conditions.
Please remember that these medications should only be taken under a doctor’s supervision. Always consult your doctor before starting any new medication. The doctor will consider the specific liver condition and its severity, other existing medical conditions and overall health before prescribing the most suitable regimen.
Prevention of Abnormal Liver Enzymes
Abnormal liver enzymes may indicate inflammation or damage to liver cells and can be a sign of liver disease. Maintaining liver health and preventing abnormal liver enzymes can be achieved through the following ways:
1. Healthy Diet: Healthy and balanced diet is essential for liver health. Consuming a lot of fruits, vegetables, grains, and lean proteins can keep your liver healthy. Limiting high-sugar foods, saturated fats, and processed foods can also help.
2. Regular Exercise: Regular physical activity can also help keep your liver healthy by aiding in weight management and promoting healthy liver function.
3. Limit Alcohol: Excessive consumption of alcohol can damage liver cells, causing fatty liver, cirrhosis, or other types of liver disease. Moderation or abstention from alcohol is advised.
4. Avoid Illicit Substances: Use of illicit substances can cause significant liver damage. Drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamines, heroin have adverse effects on the liver.
5. Use Medications Wisely: Overusing or misusing medications can cause liver damage. Always take medications as prescribed, and do not mix medications unless advised by a healthcare professional.
6. Avoid Exposure to Toxic Chemicals: Exposure to certain environmental toxins and industrial chemicals can damage the liver. Use safety precautions when in contact with such substances.
7. Regular Check-Up: Regular health check-ups with liver enzyme testing can help keep track of liver health and detect any abnormalities early, which is crucial for effective treatment.
8. Vaccinations: Getting vaccinated against hepatitis A and B can protect you from these viruses, which can cause severe liver damage when not treated.
Remember that maintaining overall health and wellbeing greatly contributes to the health of your liver. It is always advisable to consult with your healthcare provider regarding any health concerns or conditions.
FAQ’s about Abnormal Liver Enzymes
1. What are liver enzymes?
Liver enzymes are chemicals that are released into the bloodstream by the liver to help carry out different bodily functions. The two most common ones are Alanine transaminase (ALT) and Aspartate transaminase (AST).
2. What are abnormal liver enzymes?
Abnormal liver enzymes refer to higher or lower than normal levels of these chemicals in the blood. This can signal damage or disease in the liver.
3. What causes abnormal liver enzymes?
Abnormal liver enzymes can be caused by different conditions like hepatitis, cirrhosis, fatty liver disease, or alcohol abuse. They can also be caused by certain medications, age, obesity, or diseases in other parts of the body.
4. What are the symptoms of high liver enzymes?
Common symptoms include fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or swelling, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), dark urine, and light-colored stools.
5. How are abnormal liver enzymes detected?
Abnormal liver enzymes are typically found during routine blood tests. If they’re found, more thorough liver tests may be performed to identify the cause.
6. How are abnormal liver enzymes treated?
Treatment for abnormal liver enzymes focuses on addressing the underlying cause. This can involve lifestyle changes, medication, or in severe cases, surgery.
7. Can abnormal liver enzymes be prevented?
In many cases, yes. Lifestyle changes like maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding excessive alcohol, and managing underlying conditions can help.
8. Does having abnormal liver enzymes always mean I have liver disease?
Not necessarily. While it’s a common sign, abnormal liver enzymes can also be caused by conditions in other parts of the body or certain medications. It’s important to have any abnormalities fully investigated by a healthcare professional.
9. Are abnormal liver enzymes dangerous?
Abnormal liver enzymes themselves are not dangerous, but they can be a sign of a potentially serious underlying condition that needs medical attention.
10. Can abnormal liver enzymes return to normal?
Yes, with proper treatment and lifestyle changes, liver enzyme levels often do return to normal. It’s essential, however, to continue monitoring and treatment until a healthcare professional confirms this.
This information is only meant to be helpful and should not be used as actual medical advice. If you have concerns about your liver health or enzymes, it’s best to consult your healthcare provider.
Useful links
Abnormal liver enzymes often indicate inflammation or damage to cells in the liver. This is often detected through blood tests, and the elevated enzymes most commonly found include Alkaline phosphatase, Alanine transaminase, and Aspartate transaminase.
Here are some useful links from journals about Abnormal Liver Enzymes:
Please make sure to read the abstracts or summaries of these articles to assess their relevance to your specific needs. If necessary, consult with a healthcare professional.
Complications of Abnormal Liver Enzymes
Abnormal liver enzymes indicate damage, disease, or inflammation in the liver. The liver releases enzymes into the bloodstream when it is injured. The common liver enzymes that are usually checked are Alanine transaminase (ALT) and Aspartate transaminase (AST).
Here are some possible complications related to abnormal liver enzymes:
1. Liver Disease: High levels of liver enzymes may indicate various types of liver diseases such as fatty liver disease, hepatitis, cirrhosis, or cancer.
2. Gallbladder Disease: Abnormal liver enzymes may also indicate a problem with your gallbladder, such as gallstones.
3. Heart Disease: The liver is engaged in cholesterol production which can directly impact heart health. Abnormal liver enzymes may indicate a possible development of heart disease.
4. Medication Induced Damage: Certain medications could result in elevated liver enzymes. While most times it may be temporary, continual exposure to such medications could potentially lead to liver disease.
5. Metabolic Syndrome: Conditions like diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol can also cause elevated liver enzymes levels and subsequently cause complications such as insulin resistance and inflammation.
6. Alcohol Abuse: Chronic alcohol consumption can cause an increase in liver enzymes, which indicates the liver is under stress or damage due to the alcohol.
If untreated, high levels of liver enzymes can lead to serious and potentially lethal conditions. Therefore, it’s essential to have regular check-ups for liver enzymes, especially for individuals at risk for liver diseases such as those with a family history of liver diseases, chronic alcohol consumers or those exposed to hepatitis viruses. Changes in lifestyle habits, diet, or medication can often address abnormal liver enzyme levels. However, it is essential to consult with healthcare professionals to determine the best course of action.
Home remedies of Abnormal Liver Enzymes
Abnormal liver enzymes could indicate that your liver is suffering from diseases such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, or liver damage due to medications or alcohol. It’s important to know that serious medical conditions such as these require medical intervention; however, certain lifestyle changes and home remedies could help support liver health.
1. Healthy Diet: Consuming a liver-friendly diet can play a crucial role in maintaining overall liver health. This includes eating fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, high-fiber foods, and whole grains. Avoid processed foods, salty foods and fatty foods.
2. Limit Alcohol: Alcohol can damage or destroy liver cells. Cutting back or abstaining completely from alcohol can reduce the risk of liver problems.
3. Regular Exercise: Regular physical activity can keep the body’s metabolic processes, including those in the liver, running smoothly.
4. Stay Hydrated: Drinking water helps the liver to function properly.
5. Limit Over-the-counter Medications: Certain medications can cause liver damage if used too frequently or at high doses. For example, avoid excessive use of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs).
6. Weight Management: Keep your weight within a healthy range to prevent fatty liver disease, which is a condition characterized by excess fat build-up in the liver.
7. Herbal Supplements: Some natural herbs, such as milk thistle, turmeric, licorice root, and dandelion root, are said to be beneficial for liver health. But always speak to your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimens.
Remember that these tips are meant to support your liver’s health and do not replace proper medical care. For abnormal liver enzymes, it’s crucial to get the advice and treatment plan from your doctor. It might also be necessary to make specific changes in your medicines or diet based on the cause of abnormal liver enzymes.