High Liver Enzymes

As the name suggests, liver enzymes are present within the cells of the liver. High liver enzymes is a warning sign of liver damage. In this condition, a liver injury forces these enzymes to move out of the liver and enter the bloodstream. As a result, the enzyme levels in the blood increases considerably.

Liver Blood Test
A liver blood test can help to determine whether the blood contains certain liver enzymes in large amounts. When the liver gets damaged due to an underlying liver disease, the concentration of liver enzymes increases in the blood, which can be easily detected by undergoing a liver blood test. This blood test is also useful to evaluate the patient's health in addition to diagnosing any liver disease.

Causes of High Liver Enzymes

Liver damage may occur due to a number of reasons. Causes of elevated liver enzymes in the blood are generally associated with liver injury, and can occur mainly due to the following factors:

Alcohol Abuse: Excessive alcohol consumption is the main cause of high liver enzymes. Too much alcohol intake can have a negative impact on the liver function. Daily consumption of alcohol is strongly associated with rise in liver enzymes in the blood. Heavy drinkers are likely to develop liver disease which may lead to elevated high liver enzymes.

Tumors: Tumors of the liver (liver cancer) or other liver diseases can interfere with liver function and eventually cause liver enzymes to leak into the bloodstream.

Obesity: Obesity can cause fatty liver, which ultimately may trigger increased liver enzymes.

Medications: Medicines used for treating various ailments can raise liver enzymes in the blood. For instance, use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can contribute to high liver enzymes. Some of these may include:

• Drugs that lower high cholesterol levels, such as niacin.
• Medicines used to control seizures, such as valproic acid, phenytoin, and carbamazepine.
• Pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and aspirin.
• Cardiovascular medicines like hydralazine, amiodarone, and quinidine.
• Tricyclic antidepressants

High Liver Enzymes Symptoms

Elevated levels of liver enzymes in the bloodstream can cause headache and severe body aches. People with gallstone disease are likely to have elevated liver enzymes. Gallstones are pieces of hard matter that form in the bile (a digestive fluid released by the gallbladder). Gall bladder is a organ situated in the abdomen, below the liver. Studies have shown that presence of gallstones is related with increased liver enzymes.

High Liver Enzymes Treatment

The treatment plan will be decided by the doctor depending upon the cause of high liver enzymes. In case intake of alcoholic beverages is responsible for this condition, then abstaining from alcohol consumption would help improve health. If use of prescription drugs is giving rise to high liver enzymes, then immediately discontinuing the medicines is a must. People suffering from obesity need to avoid fatty foods, and focus more vegetables and fruits. Daily exercise, such as brisk walk and jogging, can also help to improve blood circulation and reduce weight.

Medical products such as Liv-52 and Milk Thistle are also used for the treatment of high liver enzymes. Milk thistle is basically a herb that promotes healthy liver cells. This herb is available in almost health and drug stores, and one should include it in the diet to restore normal liver function.