The liver is the body's largest solid organ, performing several hundred different functions that go beyond simply cleaning the blood. The liver is responsible for healthy metabolism and converting cholesterol in the body to bile acids for digestive use. Elevated liver enzymes, according to MayoClinic.com, are a sign that the liver is experiencing inflammation or damage. The weakened structure of the damaged liver allows the enzymes to seep into the bloodstream, where they show up in tests. Failing to acknowledge the severity of elevated enzymes can lead to further damage and liver failure.
The Facts
Elevated liver enzymes can be a sign of a temporary issue or a more permanent liver problem. They may also be a sign of no issue at all, as Medical News Today reports on a 2008 study published in "Hepatology" that approximately 10 percent of Americans have elevated liver enzymes with no underlying cause. This potential variation in causes means that finding elevated liver enzymes is not a final diagnosis of a problem, but merely a symptom that needs further investigation.
Identification
Elevated liver enzymes are generally detected during a liver function test. MayoClinic.com notes that there are two enzymes that are the most common identifiers of a problem in the liver. They are alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST).
Health Considerations
Elevated liver enzyme levels can have serious clinical implications, or mean nothing at all. In a 1994 study done by "Annals of Surgery," laproscopic procedures led to elevated liver enzyme levels, but levels returned to normal after 72 hours. In other cases, elevated enzyme levels can be a sign of fatty liver disease, a reaction to statin dugs, a response to obesity, or a sign that hepatitis A, B, or C has taken hold in the liver.
Possible Prevention Methods
Preventing elevated liver enzymes involves caring for the liver and protecting your own health. Eating a balanced diet, avoiding alcoholic drinks that can damage and stress the liver, and practicing safe sex to avoid hepatitis are all possible preventions for elevated enzyme levels.
Therapeutic Responses
Therapeutic response options for elevated liver enzymes depend on the cause of the elevation. Where the levels can be linked to a reaction to statins, they may be discontinued. Fatty liver disease can also be treated. For hepatitis sufferers, medication and monitoring can help control enzyme levels and preserve liver function.
