Elevated liver enzymes – Symptoms and Causes of Elevated Liver Enzymes

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What are the liver enzymes?

Liver enzymes are chemicals produced by the liver cells that help in the functioning of the liver. Now, maybe you are searching for symptoms and causes of Elevated Liver Enzymes, we will cover these all topics in this article.

What is the function of liver and liver enzymes?

The liver is the largest organ present inside the human body. It performs more than 500 functions where it plays a central role in the process of metabolism. It plays a role in protein, fat, and carbohydrate metabolism. It also synthesizes vitamins and helps in detoxification of substances like alcohol and medicines. click on the below button for more info and read the complete article to know about causes of Elevated liver Enzymes and symptoms of Elevated liver Enzymes.

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Whereas, the main function of the liver enzymes is to speed up the chemical reactions involved in the process of metabolism. There are multiple enzymes in the liver. Some of the commonly studied enzymes and symptoms and causes of Elevated Liver Enzymes you will get after the functions are given below:

• Alanine transaminase (ALT): also known as SGPT, is an enzyme present in the liver that helps to convert proteins into energy.

• Aspartate transaminase (AST): also known as SGOT, is an enzyme that helps to metabolize amino acids.

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What are the Causes of Elevated Liver Enzymes?

Elevated liver enzymes usually indicate damage or inflammation to liver cells. Inflamed or damaged liver cells leak out some chemicals, including liver enzymes into the blood which is then picked up by the blood tests as elevated liver enzymes levels. So, you should also keep remember the causes of Elevated Liver enzymes.

There are a number of causes of Elevated Liver Enzymes that can increase liver enzymes which are given below:

• Fatty liver disease is one of the commonest causes of elevated liver enzymes. Studies show that 25–51% of people with increased liver enzymes have a fatty liver.

• Drinking alcohol – this is also an commonest causes of elevated liver enzymes that you should remember.

• Obesity

• Metabolic syndrome, this causes of Elevated Liver Enzymes is a collection of risk factors such as high BP, blood glucose, weight, etc that increases the chance of developing a number of lifestyle diseases

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What are the signs and symptoms of elevated liver enzymes?

Elevated liver enzymes, don’t produce any signs or symptoms on their own. They indicate an underlying liver condition which may present with variety of symptoms of elevated liver enzymes, some of the signs and symptoms of Elevated liver enzymes are given below:

• Jaundice: yellowish discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes

• Dark urine

• Pale colored stools

• Nausea and vomiting

• Weakness

• Pain in abdomen

• Swelling in abdomen

• Low appetite

What is the test done to check liver enzymes?

As we have already talked about symptoms and causes of Elevated Liver enzymes, they are discovered by a lab test, called liver function test (LFT). The LFT can be done in routine health check-up or when the doctor suspects some underlying liver disease or risk factors such as:

• When a person drinks a significant amount of alcohol or abuses drugs.

• When other people in the family have a disease.

• Overweight

• Diabetes

How is the test done?

The blood sample for LFT is drawn with the help of a small needle which is usually inserted into a vein in your elbow pit. The needle is attached to a small tube that collects a small amount of blood. After the desired amount of blood is taken out, the needle is removed and soft pressure is applied at the site which is then covered by a small antiseptic tape. If you are facing any symptoms and causes of Elevated Liver Enzymes then this test should be done immediately.

The test is generally well tolerated by most of the people with usually no significant complications. Only mild to moderate short-lasting pain is felt to most people at the time of insertion of the needle.

What is done if you find any symptoms and causes of elevated liver enzymes?

If a person finds any symptoms and causes of elevated liver enzymes, he should contact a doctor to understand and evaluate the possible cause for it. Marginal elevation of liver enzymes with no symptoms usually doesn’t indicate any serious cause of worry. However, it is advisable to consult a doctor. Elevated liver enzymes with symptoms or significantly elevated enzyme levels warrant medical help.