The causes of elevated liver enzymes are varied, so don't panic immediately if you received liver enzyme test results on the high side.
Most liver function tests are designed to identify abnormalities in levels of four enzymes: apartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). All four of these enzymes are usually present in the blood, but high levels of these enzymes can indicate liver damage or malfunction.
AST and ALT are both referred to as transaminases. Transaminases usually indicate liver injury or inflammation of the liver. However, these numbers are also temporarily elevated after you drink alcohol or do something that temporarily damages your liver. These enzymes are not always produced when you have a damaged or poor functioning liver, making them difficult to rely upon. For example, let's say you were a heavy drinker for 10 years, and in those 10 years, you seriously damaged your liver. If these tests were performed back when you drank a lot, you probably would have seen a high number of AST and ALT enzymes show up on your blood tests. However, if you've been drinking responsibly for the past decade, your AST and ALT levels might come out looking normal, even though your liver is still damaged and is not functioning at a proper level. This makes it impossible to exclusively use these tests for a liver problem diagnosis.
GGT and ALP are both referred to as cholestatic liver enzymes. High levels of GGT or ALP are usually indicators that there is a problem related to bile production or bile duct function or bile distribution. Both of these enzymes are also temporarily affected by alcohol consumption, certain prescription medications and life style choices such as fasting or smoking.
Concerning Numbers
Doctors take a second look when the following numbers show up on your liver function tests. This does not necessarily mean you have liver problems; it simply means it's worth taking a deeper look at the cause of these liver enzymes levels. If your doctor does not find these numbers concerning, he may know something about your demographic, ethinicity, prescription medication use, lifestyle or test conditions that make these numbers less concerning.
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