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Definition Elevated liver enzymes often indicate inflammation or damage to cells in the liver. If this buildup is due to alcohol consumption, it is called alcoholic fatty liver disease. When alcohol is not a causative factor, the buildup of fat in the liver is called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease NAFLD. Fatty liver disease may sometimes cause tiredness and pain on the right side of the abdomen, but it often causes no symptoms.
A doctor may test someone with alcohol use disorder or metabolic syndrome for elevated liver enzymes to check for fatty liver disease. Learn about what to eat to help manage fatty liver disease here. Metabolic syndrome is a group of symptoms that increase the risk of heart disease. These symptoms include:. Hepatitis is a virus that leads to liver inflammation.
The symptoms of all of the strains are similar. Liver inflammation due to alcohol consumption is called alcoholic hepatitis. When drugs are the underlying cause, doctors call it toxic hepatitis. The symptoms of alcoholic and toxic hepatitis are similar to those of other strains of hepatitis. If a person is experiencing symptoms of alcohol or drug use disorder, the doctor may check their liver enzyme levels and offer various forms of treatment and support.
Cirrhosis is a type of liver damage. A person with cirrhosis has permanent scarring of the liver, which can prevent it from working properly. Cirrhosis may eventually lead to liver failure. Cirrhosis symptoms include fatigue and skin itching. People are at risk of cirrhosis if they do not receive treatment for hepatitis or fatty liver disease.
A blood test can show elevated liver enzymes. The blood test checks for raised levels of AST and ALT, which are enzymes that the liver releases when it becomes inflamed or damaged. If a doctor finds that a person has raised AST or ALT levels, they are likely to carry out further tests to determine the underlying cause. The treatment for elevated liver enzymes will focus on managing the underlying condition causing the increased levels. The doctor may advise a person to make lifestyle changes to lose weight, such as:.
Speaking with a nutritionist or even a personal trainer can help someone stay on track with their weight loss plan. If a person has fatty liver disease due to alcohol consumption, the doctor will support them in reducing their alcohol intake.
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Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Friedman LS. Approach to the patient with abnormal liver and biochemical function tests. Accessed Jan. Kwo PY, et al.
ACG clinical guideline: Elevation of abnormal liver chemistries. American Journal of Gastroenterology. Lab Tests Online.
Liver panel. Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic.
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