Liver function test is the measurement of the levels of liver enzymes, alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase, the proteins that speed up chemical reactions in the liver. When the level of these liver enzymes becomes elevated, this may signify inflammation or damage of the liver cells. In a study conducted in January 2003 by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, the researchers noted that 7.9 percent of the American population tested positive for high levels of liver enzymes in the blood. Several factors increase the risk of high liver functions.
Alcoholic Liver Disease
Alcoholic liver disease is an alcohol-induced liver injury that may range from simple fatty deposition in the liver to frank liver cirrhosis, an end-stage liver disease that affects almost 33 percent of long-term heavy drinkers. Simple fatty deposition in the liver, or fatty liver, develops in patients who have a daily consumption of 60 g per day or more of alcohol. This can be asymptomatic. Fatty liver usually resolves within four to six weeks after abstinence. Alcoholic liver cirrhosis on the other hand is a condition wherein there is chronic and slow deterioration and malfunction of the liver resulting into scarring of liver tissues brought about by long-term use of alcoholic beverages. Symptoms may include fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, weight loss and abdominal pain or discomfort.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is another contagious and serious viral infection that affects the liver. Chronic cases of hepatitis B infection can develop into liver cirrhosis, liver cancer or liver failure. The hepatitis B virus can be transmitted through sexual contact with an infected person, sharing of needles among drug addicts, transfusion with blood contaminated with hepatitis B virus, and accidental pricks of needles in health care workers. Hepatatis B virus can also be transmitted from mother to infant during delivery. Symptoms of hepatitis B infection may include deep yellow to dark-colored urine, yellowish discoloration of skin and white part of the eye, joint pains, weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite and abdominal pain or discomfort.
Use of Statins
Statins, such as Simvastatin, a prescription medicine used to normalize increased cholesterol levels in the body, is commonly associated with high liver function test result. According to the study conducted in 2010 by the Department of Internal Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, this increase in liver enzyme level is due to transaminitis, a condition in which liver enzymes become increased in the absence of apparent liver toxicity, or liver cell poisoning. This condition is usually without any symptoms, reversible and dose-related.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Elevated Liver Enzymes
- "American Journal of Gastroenterology"; The prevalence and etiology of elevated aminotransferase levels in the United States; Clark, J.M. et al.; January 2003
- Mayo Clinic: Hepatitis B
- "Mayo Clinic Proceedings"; Statins in the Treatment of Dyslipidemia in the Presence of Elevated Liver Aminotransferase Levels: A Therapeutic Dilemma; Calderon, R.M. et al.; April 2010
- "The American Journal of Gastroenterology"; Alcoholic Liver Disease; O'shea, R.S et al.; November 2009
