Thursday, May 2, 2024

Why Would My Liver Enzymes Be Elevated 45-50-60-100-130-287? Should I Worry?

Elevated liver enzymes can be a sign of inflamed or damaged cells in the liver. 

That's why? When the liver is injured or inflamed, it may release certain substances into the bloodstream, including liver enzymes. These elevated levels of liver enzymes might indicate an underlying problem.

Types of Liver Enzymes:

There are several different liver enzymes that can be assessed through a blood test:

  • Alanine transaminase (ALT)
  • Aspartate transaminase (AST)
  • Serum alkaline phosphatase (ASP)
  • Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase
  • Lactic dehydrogenase
  • 5’-nucleotidase

These enzymes play a crucial role in liver function and metabolism2.

Symptoms of Elevated Liver Enzymes:

Most individuals with elevated liver enzymes don’t experience any symptoms. However, some signs of liver disease that may prompt testing include:

  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Changes in stool or urine color
  • Fatigue

Healthcare providers may also test liver function based on certain risk factors, such as a family history of liver disease, history of alcohol use disorder, or possible exposure to hepatitis.

Causes of Elevated Liver Enzymes:

There are several reasons why your liver enzymes might be elevated?

Liver Damage:

Viral Hepatitis: Infections like hepatitis A, B, or C can cause inflammation and damage to the liver, leading to elevated enzymes.

Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): This condition involves a buildup of fat in the liver, which can cause inflammation and elevated liver enzymes.

Alcoholic Liver Disease: Excessive alcohol consumption damages liver cells and can lead to significantly elevated liver enzymes.

Autoimmune Hepatitis: In this condition, the immune system attacks the liver, causing inflammation and elevated enzymes.

Drug-Induced Liver Injury: Certain medications or supplements can damage the liver and cause elevated enzymes.

Other Potential Causes:

Muscle Damage: Injuries or strenuous exercise can cause temporary spikes in liver enzymes as damaged muscle tissue breaks down.

Metabolic Syndrome: This cluster of conditions, including obesity, high blood pressure, and high blood sugar, can contribute to fatty liver disease and elevated enzymes.

Celiac Disease: This autoimmune condition affecting the small intestine can sometimes lead to elevated liver enzymes.

Congenital Conditions: Certain rare genetic disorders can affect the liver and cause enzyme elevation.

How to Read Elevated Liver Enzymes e.g. 45-50-60-100-130-287?

  • Mildly elevated over the upper limit of normal reference range Most often, mild elevated liver enzymes are temporary (e.g. constipation) and resolve on their own without treatment.
  • Moderately Elevated liver enzymes than the nominated normal range can also be a sign of medical conditions like hepatitis or other liver diseases.
  • Certain medications can cause elevated liver enzymes in range of 50 to 200.
  • Extreme high Liver AST and ALT enzymes can be a very strong marker of hepatitis 

When to Seek Medical Attention?

If you learn that your liver enzymes are elevated, it’s essential to consult me. I can determine the underlying cause and recommend appropriate steps for further evaluation and management


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