Hepatitis C can increase your liver enzymes and cause damage to your liver. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3.2 million people in the United States have chronic hepatitis C infection. Educate yourself about the liver enzymes in your body and how hepatitis C can affect them.
Hepatitis C
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hepatitis C is a contagious liver disease that results from infection with the hepatitis C virus. The disease is spread by blood. The virus is most commonly spread by sharing needles during illegal drug use. It can less commonly be spread via blood transfusions, sexual activity and tattoo needles that have not been sterilized. The disease becomes chronic in most cases, resulting in permanent liver damage that may lead to liver cancer and the need for a liver transplant. To prevent the disease, do not engage in high-risk behaviors such as sharing needles because there is no cure or vaccine available.
Liver Enzymes
Liver enzymes are proteins in the liver that speed up chemical reactions in the liver. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states patients with chronic hepatitis C have liver enzyme levels that go up and down, with periodic returns to normal or near normal levels. The liver enzymes are aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, known together as transaminases. Alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transferase are cholestatic liver enzymes.
Transaminases
Alanine transaminase helps the body use protein. The Mayo Clinic reports when the liver is damaged, alanine transaminase is released in the bloodstream and levels increase. Aspartate transaminase helps the body use alanine. An increased level may indicate liver damage or disease. Higher levels of transaminases cause additional damage to the liver cells and can cause cell death.
Cholestatic Liver Enzymes
Alkaline phosphatase is an enzyme in the liver and bile ducts as well as other tissues in the body. Increased levels indicate bile duct or liver damage. Gamma-glutamyl transferase is produced in the bile ducts. Increased levels of alkaline phosphatase and gamma-dlutamyl transferase indicate bile duct damage or inflammation and may be a sign of a blockage in the bile ducts.
Considerations
Hepatitis C causes the liver enzymes to increase due to the liver damage it causes. Since there is no cure for hepatitis C, the goal of treatment is keeping the disease under control. Have your liver enzymes checked frequently by your doctor. The sooner you know that your liver enzymes are rising the better chances you have at minimizing liver damage through treatment.
