Liver enzymes elevated how long

Contact afpserv aafp. Want to use this article elsewhere? Get Permissions. Read the Issue. Sign Up Now. Nov 1, Issue. Am Fam Physician. What are liver enzymes? People with mild elevations usually do not have any symptoms. What will my doctor do? How is it treated? What if my liver enzymes stay elevated? Read the full article. Get immediate access, anytime, anywhere. Choose a single article, issue, or full-access subscription.

Earn up to 6 CME credits per issue. Inflamed or injured liver cells leak higher than normal amounts of certain chemicals, including liver enzymes. Symptoms of mild to moderate elevation of liver enzymes may vary from no symptoms to the following:. The human liver contains thousands of enzymes, which are special types of protein cells that help necessary chemical reactions to take place.

A wide range of health problems can lead to elevated liver enzymes:. To determine if your liver is damaged, several blood tests will be conducted to check the type and amount of Liver Enzymes in the blood. If elevated abnormal liver enzymes are present, it could indicate liver damage, as these enzymes are normally only found within the liver.

The liver helps maintain good health and is important for many body functions including digestion, metabolism, detoxification and blood clotting. Liver Enzymes are proteins that help to speed up reactions, and elevated levels are signs of a liver impairment that must be treated.

While a variety of conditions and some medications can cause enzyme imbalances in the liver, diet also plays a crucial role. Board-Certified physicians Dr. Ranvir Singh , Dr. Stephen Rashbaum , Dr. Nitin J. Parikh , Dr. Long B. 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. Treatments for hepatitis depend on whether it is acute or long term. A doctor may recommend the following treatments for acute hepatitis:.

Anyone who feels as though their alcohol or drug use is causing health problems or interfering with their everyday life should speak to their doctor.

Cirrhosis is permanent liver damage, so it is not always treatable. However, the underlying cause of liver damage is usually responsive to treatment.

The conditions that we discussed above may all lead to cirrhosis. Treatments such as a modified diet, weight loss, and reduced alcohol consumption can all reduce the risk of further liver damage. The prompt diagnosis and treatment of conditions that affect the liver can help prevent cirrhosis. Elevated liver enzymes are a sign that a person has an inflamed or damaged liver. Many conditions may cause liver inflammation or damage. Doctors use a blood test to check for elevated liver enzymes.

They may test anyone with symptoms of one of the conditions that they know to raise liver enzyme levels. Once they make a diagnosis, the doctor will recommend suitable treatments. Fatty liver disease is the most common cause of elevated liver damage. People with fatty liver disease can manage their condition by losing weight, if necessary, or reducing their alcohol consumption.

Other causes of liver inflammation are also treatable.