Elevated liver enzymes often indicate inflammation or damage to liver cells. The causes of this vary from simple and temporary factors to more serious conditions. Therefore, you should always see a doctor to discover the cause and treat it. (1)


What are liver enzymes?


Liver enzyme tests are among the most important liver function profile. Liver enzymes are known to be proteins mainly from liver cells, and they perform multiple functions in the body, such as digesting food and removing toxins. The most important of these enzymes are: (1)

 


1. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST).

2.Alanine aminotransferase (ALT).

3.Alkaline phosphatase (ALP).

4.Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT).


Liver enzymes are found in the blood in specific quantities, and their high levels, especially (AST and ALT), usually indicate their leakage from inflamed or damaged liver cells.


What are the symptoms of elevated liver enzymes?


People with elevated liver enzymes often do not show any symptoms.


However, in some cases, symptoms may appear especially in advanced stages, such as: (3)


  • Feeling constant unexplained fatigue.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes).
  • Nausea or vomiting.
  • Feeling pain and pressure in the upper right side of the abdomen.
  • Itchy skin.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Changes in the color of stool or urine; stool becomes pale and urine dark.


What are the causes of elevated liver enzymes?

Elevated liver enzymes often indicate inflammation or damage to liver cells. The causes of this vary from simple and temporary factors to more serious conditions, the most important of which are: (4)(2)


  • Steatohepatitis: Fatty liver is the most common cause of elevated liver enzymes, accounting for 25 to 51% of cases.
  • Viral hepatitis: Types A, B, C.
  • Liver fibrosis or cirrhosis: It is a chronic liver disease in which the patient suffers from the formation of permanent scars in the liver tissue.
  • Alcohol consumption: Excessive drinking of alcohol or drinking alcohol for long periods of time leads to elevated liver enzymes.
  • Autoimmune diseases: such as: autoimmune hepatitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), primary biliary cholangitis (biliary cirrhosis) (PBC).
  • Some medications: such as: some analgesics such as paracetamol, lipid medications, epilepsy medications, tuberculosis medications, and antidepressants.
  • Some other health problems: such as: Wilson's disease, hemochromatosis, celiac disease, thyroid diseases, Epstein-Barr virus that causes mononucleosis, and cytomegalovirus.


How does the doctor detect elevated liver enzymes?

The doctor discovers that you have elevated liver enzymes through a simple blood test, which the doctor often orders in the following cases: (5)(6)

  • If he notices that you are suffering from any of the previous symptoms of liver damage.
  • Part of the comprehensive routine tests to check on your health.
  • If you have a family history of liver disease.
  • If you are using certain medications that may damage the liver.
  • If you suspect that you have been exposed to hepatitis viruses.


How does the doctor manage elevated liver enzymes?

After 2-4 weeks, liver enzyme levels return to normal in about a third of individuals if the cause is a temporary and simple factor. If they continue to rise, the doctor will order more blood tests and imaging tests of the liver. Depending on the results of these tests, the doctor will determine the cause of the elevated liver enzymes and decide on the appropriate treatment. (6)




Worried about your liver test results?

Elevated liver enzymes don’t always mean something serious—but they should never be ignored. Book a consultation today with the Gastroenterology Department at Al-Ahli Hospital. Our expert team is here to identify the cause and provide personalized care to support your liver health.



Is it possible to recover from elevated liver enzymes?

Yes, elevated liver enzymes can be cured in many cases, especially since, as we mentioned, elevated liver enzymes do not necessarily mean a chronic or untreatable condition. In general, recovery from elevated liver enzymes depends on the cause. (4)


Here are the most important instructions that promote liver health and reduce the levels of these enzymes: (7)


  • Regular exercise.
  • Maintain an ideal weight and try to lose excess weight.
  • Follow a healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruits and whole grains and reduce drinks and foods rich in sugar.
  • Consult your doctor before taking any medications except those prescribed by your doctor, to ensure that they do not negatively affect your liver health.
  • Get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B.
  • Control your blood sugar levels by adhering to the treatments prescribed by your doctor.



 References