What causes increased liver enzymes in humans?

Have you ever had a blood test and found out that your liver enzymes are high? Well, don’t panic, because in this article we will dive deep into the causes of increased liver enzymes in humans. So put on your lab coat and let’s get started!

Introduction

The liver is an incredibly important organ responsible for many vital functions within the body such as detoxifying harmful substances, metabolizing drugs and making proteins to clot blood. To perform these tasks efficiently, the liver produces certain chemicals called ‘enzymes’. But sometimes people experience elevated levels of these enzymes which can indicate underlying liver damage.

Types of Liver Enzymes

Before going any further it’s important to know some basics about different types of liver enzymes:

Enzyme Name Shortened Version Normal Levels
Alanine Aminotransferase ALT 7–56 units per liter (U/L)
Aspartate Aminotransferase AST 10–40 U/L
Gamma-glutamyl transferase GGT Up to 45 U/L
Alkaline phosphatase ALP (M)under120 U/L    (F)under104 U/L

The most common ones tested are alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase(GGT), alkaline phosphatise(ALP).

Alanine Aminotransferases – The Mischievous One!

We’re all familiar with mischief-makers at school or work but did you know there is also one among your liver’s enzyme collection? Alanine transaminases or ALTs are often known as the ‘main’ mischief-maker as the levels spike alarmingly in people suffering from liver damage. With their elevated presence, ALTs alert us to a problem — such as hepatitis or cirrhosis — before most other blood tests can sense any danger.

Aspartate Aminotransferases – The Common One!

Aspartate aminotransferases or ASTs are present in the higher concentration within heart muscle and liver cells than anywhere else so they used primarily for detection of injury to these organs which sets them readily apart among other enzymes produced by the liver.

Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase – The Smoker One!

For smokers reading this article wondering whether smoking impacts your “liver friends”, GGT’s will definitely be up there with some regularity among those tasked with processing harmful toxins related to alcohol abuse and smoking in particular. Elevated GGT level signal either fatty deposits on the liver or bile duct problems.

Alkaline Phosphatise – Strengthening Your Bones

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) assists not only our livers, but also healthy bones by oscillating at different rates as required during necessary bone growth spurts i.e childhood and adolescence

With that out fo way let’s explore what may cause high levels of these important enzymes?

Causes of Increased Liver Enzymes:

Several things can lead to increased production of liver enzymes! This includes health disorders, hereditary factors, lifestyle choices, medications amongst others many causes.

Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

More commonly known as NAFLD is a term used for extra fat build-up in your Liver, courtesy various unhealthy eating habits including but not limited to overconsumption sugar/fructose-rich food options coupled with questionable daily activities included excess screen-tie & minimal exercise time!

Alcohol Consumption

Though it’s already been established earlier that alcohol isn’t the only source responsible for GGT elevation it certainly is a hazardous agent causing ALT’s to shred havoc more than any other and an after-effect of elongated periods of excessive alcohol consumption.

Obesity

Apart from regularly socializing with friends Jacks, Margaritas, Sangrias & Mojitos being overweight can adversely effect your liver too. As we put on weight, our livers accumulate fat cells itself leading to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in many cases

Medications

Drug toxicity also has led significantly to elevated levels where drugs such as antibiotics(traditionally attributed with harmful effects on liver enzymes) could harm your liver!

Symptoms

Symptoms of mild increase in liver enzyme level usually go unnoticed but clinical significance starts setting in when you begin experiencing elevated blood pressure or skin yellowing even manifested through black stool by which time what was once subclinical action should already have confined damage(hepatitis virus!)to tolerable limits within the body.

Diagnosis

Several tests are available for evaluating increased Liver enzymes issues such sonoelastography(AIMS), sonography(LUS), MRI amongst others depending upon what triggers incidentally causes them ex: elevated alanine transaminase (ALT).

On larger intent,a tissue biopsy remains most definitive means ensuring accurate diagnosis wherein a small piece cut from concerned organ is then checked under electron microscope view.

However diagnostic quality largely relies majorly dependent on analyst’s skillset/experience behind microscope.

So if you ever happen to gain awareness about increasing levels ask suspected affected individual get their self diagnosed so that effective treatment intervention/be instituted before damage becomes permanent!

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