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Elevated Liver Enzymes – Causes, Symptoms, and Management

The liver, a vital organ, filters blood, breaks down toxins, and produces enzymes that accelerate chemical reactions. Excessive enzyme levels can damage the liver, signaling potential health issues. Monitoring these levels is crucial for early detection and treatment of liver conditions. Recognizing a spike in liver enzyme levels can prompt timely medical intervention, aiding in the prevention of further liver damage and ensuring overall health.

Elevated Liver Enzymes – Causes, Symptoms, and Management
Regular check-ups and liver function tests are essential for maintaining liver health.

Causes
Typically, a spike in levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) is observed. Certain liver diseases, other health conditions, infections, and existing treatment options can lead to elevated liver enzymes. Here are a few common causes:

Fatty liver disease: This is a prevalent condition that affects about 25% of the population. Those with type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome are at a higher risk of developing fatty liver disease. The condition causes inflammation and damage to the liver cells and is linked with elevation of liver enzymes. In some cases, fatty liver disease can contribute to the development of hepatitis, progressing to cirrhosis—a type of liver damage. 

Viral hepatitis: The condition, specifically Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, can also be the reason for elevated liver enzymes. The viral infection can result in chronic or acute liver inflammation, leading to changes in enzyme levels that can cause liver cell damage. 

Toxic hepatitis: This condition causes inflammation of the liver as a result of exposure to certain substances, like pesticides, industrial chemicals, and some prescription options that might have a negative impact on the liver.

Autoimmune hepatitis: When the immune system mistakenly attacks the liver, believing it to be infected with hepatitis, it is called autoimmune hepatitis. This attack is intended to save the organ, but the reaction does more harm than good, resulting in increased inflammation with the immune system attacking healthy liver cells. Elevated liver enzymes are common in those with autoimmune hepatitis.

Metabolic syndrome: Another reason for high levels of liver enzymes could be metabolic syndrome—a group of symptoms that elevate the risk of heart disease. These symptoms could be high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol.

Symptoms
High levels of liver enzymes are often a sign of an issue with liver function, leading to the following symptoms:

Jaundice: Jaundice is one of the most common signs of poor liver function. It is characterized by yellowing of skin and eyes. Here, it is the sclera (outer layer of the eyeball), skin, and nails that take on a yellowish appearance due to elevated levels of bilirubin in the bloodstream. Bilirubin is a waste product that would be filtered by a healthy liver. Jaundice may be accompanied by dark urine, pale stools, and itching, indicating impaired bile flow and poor liver function.

Fatigue: Another key sign of elevated liver enzymes is persistent fatigue, which does not go away even with enough rest. This symptom often develops with weakness, interfering with daily activities. Poor liver function compromises the body’s ability to metabolize nutrients and produce energy, leading to feelings of lethargy and exhaustion.

Loss of appetite: High levels of liver enzymes can change the digestion and metabolism process. The changes can eventually cause vomiting, nausea, and decreased or diminished appetite. The persistent nausea and aversion to food can also be triggered by the high concentration of toxins in the bloodstream due to the liver being unable to filter harmful substances with ease. Persistent loss of appetite can also result in nutritional deficiencies.

Abdominal pain and swelling: Liver inflammation or enlargement due to conditions like fatty liver disease, hepatitis, or cirrhosis can cause abdominal discomfort or pain. This pain is often localized in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen, where the liver is situated. Additionally, fluid retention in the abdomen, known as ascites, can lead to abdominal swelling and distension. It is important to keep an eye out for this sign, as pain or fluid buildup in the abdominal cavity can compress the lungs and cause respiratory distress.

Treatment options
A routine blood test can typically indicate high liver enzyme levels. Such a result is seen as a sign of an underlying condition. So, based on the results, doctors may order more tests to confirm the condition and its severity. Here are management options based on the condition:

– If fatty liver disease is the cause of elevated enzyme levels, doctors may recommend lifestyle changes and food plans to improve liver health and function and lower liver enzyme levels.

– If metabolic syndrome is the underlying condition, it can also be managed with lifestyle changes and prescription options. Doctors might also recommend keeping stress levels in check.

– When dealing with hepatitis, prescription-based treatment, along with ensuring proper fluid intake, rest, nutritious food, and exercise, can help manage the condition.

Timely diagnosis is essential to prevent underlying causes like cirrhosis from developing. With the right lifestyle changes and treatment, one can prevent liver damage and keep liver enzyme levels in check.

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