When cells in the liver incur damage, blood levels of alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase, two liver enzymes, will be higher than they should be, according to the Mayo Clinic. Doctors use blood tests called liver function tests to assay liver enzyme levels. There are a number of diseases and conditions that can lead to elevated liver enzymes.
Hepatitis C
The MayoClinic.com website explains that hepatitis C is one of the diseases that can lead to elevated liver enzyme levels. Hepatitis C is a virus that infects the liver and can compromise liver function by causing inflammation. People may get hepatitis C when they come in contact with tainted blood. This is most likely to occur if needles are shared by those engaged in the use of illegal drugs. Infection with hepatitis C does not produce any symptoms initially. At later stages of the disease, the patient may develop muscle and joint pains, fever, fatigue, nausea and diminished appetite. The treatment regimen depends upon the severity of the disease. Patients who have only mild liver damage may not need treatment at all. In more serious cases, the patient's doctor may prescribe a combination of antiviral drugs that are administered over the course of several weeks.
Alcoholic Hepatitis
Alcoholic hepatitis is a possible cause of elevated liver enzymes. According to the Medicine Online website, continued use of alcohol can lead to liver damage called alcoholic liver disease. The damage from this disease occurs in three stages and alcoholic hepatitis is the second stage. It involves inflammation of the liver and death of liver cells.
Hemochromatosis
According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, hemochromatosis is a disease characterized by the accumulation of excessive amounts of iron in the organs of the body. In most cases, a defective gene is the cause of hemochromatosis. The liver, heart and pancreas are particularly susceptible to the deposition of iron, and if the patient does not receive treatment in the early stages of hemochromatosis, liver disease, heart problems or diabetes may occur. Liver disease takes the form of enlarged liver, liver failure, liver cancer or cirrhosis, and all of these conditions generally lead to elevated liver enzymes. Liver function tests are one of the blood tests that doctors use to diagnose hemochromatosis. Treatment includes therapeutic phlebotomy --periodic removal of about one pint of blood until iron levels return to normal -- and iron chelation therapy, which involves taking medication to remove excess iron.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Elevated Liver Enzymes: Definition: Causes
- Mayo Clinic: Hepatitis C: Definition: Symptoms: Treatment and Drugs
- Medicine Online: Alcoholic Hepatitis-Alcoholic Liver Disease
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: Diseases and Conditions Index: Hemochromatosis: What Is: Causes: Symptoms: Diagnosis: Treatment
