Elevated Liver Enzymes: Functions and Causes

Liver enzymes are special proteins made by the liver. They help with digestion, remove harmful substances, and keep your body healthy. But when your liver enzymes are too high, it could mean your liver is stressed or damaged.

This article explains what liver enzymes do, the causes of increased liver enzymes, and how to lower liver enzymes naturally.

What Are Liver Enzymes?

Your liver does over 500 jobs to keep you healthy. It makes liver enzymes to help with those tasks. When your liver is healthy, these enzymes stay in the liver. But if thereâ€™s damage, they leak into your blood. This shows up in a liver enzyme test or liver function test enzymes.

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The main liver function test enzymes are:

Alanine Transaminase (ALT)

ALT is an enzyme that helps convert proteins into energy for the liver cells. Elevated levels of ALT can indicate liver cell damage.

Aspartate Transaminase (AST)

Similar to ALT, AST is involved in amino acid metabolism. High levels of AST can also suggest liver damage, but it is not as specific to the liver as ALT since AST can also be found in the heart, kidneys, and muscles.

Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)

ALP is an enzyme related to the bile ducts; high levels in the bloodstream can suggest bile duct problems or bone disease.

Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT)

GGT is involved in the transfer of amino acids and peptides into cells and is an indicator of bile duct problems when elevated.

Why are liver enzymes elevated?

There are many causes of increased liver enzymes, such as:

Alcohol and Drug Use: Excessive alcohol consumption and certain drugs can damage liver cells, leading to elevated enzyme levels.
Obesity and Fatty Liver Disease: Obesity increases the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), where fat accumulates in liver cells, causing inflammation and elevated enzymes.
Hepatitis and Other Infections: Viral infections like hepatitis A, B, and C can cause liver inflammation and elevated enzyme levels.
Medications: Some medications, like statins, can cause liver enzyme levels to rise as a side effect.
Autoimmune Disorders: Conditions such as autoimmune hepatitis can cause the bodyâ€™s immune system to attack liver cells.

How to Reduce Liver Enzymes?

To lower elevated liver enzymes, it is essential to address the underlying cause. Here are some general tips to help reduce liver enzyme levels:

Maintaining a healthy weight to reduce liver fat.
Limiting alcohol intake and avoiding harmful substances.
Using medications responsibly and consulting your doctor about side effects.
Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Exercising regularly to support liver health and weight management.

These steps help people with high liver enzymes, especially if you're wondering altered liver enzymes how to treat them.

Understanding Elevated Liver Enzymes ICD 10 Codes

The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) is a coding system used to classify and code all diagnoses, symptoms, and procedures. For elevated liver enzymes, the ICD-10 code is R74.0, which helps healthcare providers and insurers process and track medical diagnoses and treatments.

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Conclusion

Liver enzymes help show the condition of your liver. When these enzymes are high, it may signal liver problems that need attention. Understanding liver enzymes and keeping them in balance supports your liver health. If you notice symptoms or concerns, consult a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. Taking care of your liver helps prevent enzyme issues and keeps you healthy.

Frequently Asked Questions

High liver enzymes can indicate liver stress, damage, or inflammation. It is essential to work with a healthcare provider to determine the exact cause and appropriate treatment.

Yes. With the right treatment and lifestyle changes, those with high liver enzymes can bring them down.

Chronic stress can indirectly contribute to conditions that may elevate liver enzymes, such as increased alcohol consumption or exacerbation of autoimmune disorders.

Risk factors for elevated liver enzymes include drinking alcohol, taking certain medicines or supplements, having diabetes, a family history of liver disease, and hepatitis infection or exposure. These factors can cause liver stress or damage, leading to higher enzyme levels in the blood.

When ALT is much higher than normal, stays elevated, or comes with symptoms like fatigue or jaundice.