High liver enzyme levels may be temporary, or they may be a sign of a medical condition like hepatitis or liver disease. Certain medications (allopathic) can also cause elevated liver enzymes.
Liver enzymes are proteins that speed up chemical reactions in our body. These chemical reactions include producing bile and substances that help our blood clot, breaking down food and toxins, and fighting infection.
Common liver enzymes include:
- Alkaline phosphatase (ALP).
- Alanine transaminase (ALT).
- Aspartate transaminase (AST).
- Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT).
If a person’s liver is injured, it releases enzymes into the bloodstream (most commonly ALT or AST).
What are liver enzymes?
There are three main lab values that are commonly evaluated in relation to liver health:
- Aspartate aminotransferase (AST),
- Alanine transaminase (ALT),
- Alkaline phosphatase (ALP).
AST and ALT are markers of liver cell injury. ALP is linked to injury of the bile ducts — a series of tubes that carry the bile produced by the liver cells and empty into the intestines.
Although considered liver injury tests, elevation in any or all of these enzymes does not necessarily mean a person have liver damage. These enzymes are produced by other organs as well. For example, AST increases with muscle damage such as in a heart attack or muscle trauma. ALP is also produced by bone and in the placenta during pregnancy. ALT is the most specific enzyme to the liver itself.
Typical ranges can vary between the sexes, based on age and at different laboratories. Generally speaking, the upper limit of typical for AST and ALT for men is 35 to 40 units per liter (U/L) and for women is 25 to 30 U/L. The upper limit of typical for ALP is around 115 U/L for men and 100 U/L for women.
What does it mean if my liver enzymes are elevated?
Mild to moderate elevation in liver enzymes often means there is some type of inflammation within the liver. This matters because if the inflammation continues unabated for long enough, patient could develop scarring in the liver (fibrosis). Stages of fibrosis range from 0 to 4:
- Stage 0 means there is no scarring.
- Stage 1 means there is mild scarring.
- Stage 2 means there is moderate scarring.
- Stage 3 means there is advanced scarring.
- Stage 4 is advanced liver disease, known as cirrhosis.
It’s best to evaluate liver enzymes early to hopefully prevent any progression of scarring, especially to cirrhosis. Generally, if your patient has not reached stage 4, fibrosis is reversible especially with Homeopathic treatment it is very easy and short time, economic and safe.
What causes liver enzymes elevation?
Alcohol, allopathic drugs and street drugs are major causes of liver damage. But there are many other causes of elevated liver enzymes, for example: 
- Viral hepatitis (A, B, C, D).
- Autoimmune disease (autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis etc).
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. This means that there are too much inflamed liver veins/arteries due to which fat stored in the liver cells and can be linked to obesity and diabetes. As the name implies, this disease can be independent of alcohol use.
- Genetic causes such as the inherited condition alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency or hemochromatosis.
Elevated liver enzymes could also be the result of allopathic medication. Both prescription and nonprescription medications can cause abnormalities in the liver enzymes for example an overdose of acetaminophen (Tylenol) can destroy half of a person’s liver cells in less than a week. Sometimes the liver gets overwhelmed and can’t repair itself completely, especially if it’s still under attack from a virus, drug, alcohol, carbonated drinks, fast food, caned/processed food, food colors, allopathic drugs especially supplements, etc. Scar tissue develops, which becomes difficult to reverse, and can lead to cirrhosis.
Liver failures
Liver failure is a distinct medical condition, and it’s divided into two different categories: acute and chronic, which means liver failure has been ongoing for years. Both can come with signs and symptoms such as confusion, an inability to form blood clots appropriately, and yellowing of eyes and skin known as jaundice.
What happens next after an elevated liver enzymes result?
Typically, the initial step is an evaluation beginning with a thorough history and physical exam looking for any signs or symptoms that could relate to chronic liver disease.
Additionally, a number of non-liver causes of liver enzyme elevations should be considered for example abnormalities of the thyroid or gastrointestinal tract, such as celiac disease or gallstones.
A good doctor will typically order a series of laboratory tests to look for specific causes of elevated liver enzymes and request an abdominal ultrasound to look for any structural abnormalities of the liver.
If the labs or imaging confirm a diagnosis of underlying liver disease, create a specific management plan for your patient. However, in a small percentage of people, diagnosis will remain elusive despite persistent elevation in liver enzymes. In this group, a liver biopsy may be needed to gather more information.
P. S: This article is only for doctors having good knowledge about Homeopathy and allopathy, for learning purpose(s).
For proper consultation and treatment, please visit our clinic.
None of above-mentioned medicine(s) is/are the full/complete treatment but just hints for treatment; every patient has his/her own constitutional medicine.
Dr. Sayyad Qaisar Ahmed (MD {Ukraine}, DHMS), Abdominal Surgeries, Oncological surgeries, Gastroenterologist, Specialist Homeopathic Medicines.
Senior research officer at Dnepropetrovsk state medical academy Ukraine.
Location: Al-Haytham clinic, Umer Farooq Chowk Risalpur Sadder (0923631023, 03119884588), K.P.K, Pakistan.
Find more about Dr Sayed Qaisar Ahmed at:
https://www.youtube.com/Dr Qaisar Ahmed
https://www.facebook.com/ahmed drqaisar
https://www.drqaisarahmed.com.
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