Medical Screening Test for Elevated Liver Enzymes

Elevated liver enzymes are an early sign of possible liver damage. The liver plays an important role in digesting food, absorbing nutrients and eliminating toxic substances from the body. Left untreated, liver damage can cause serious complications, including liver failure. The most common cause of elevated liver enzymes is prescription medication, particularly statin drugs meant to control cholesterol levels.
A person with slightly to moderately elevated liver enzymes typically experiences no symptoms, so a medical screening test is important, especially if you're taking statin drugs for cholesterol management.

What Are Elevated Liver Enzymes?

An enzyme is a protein that acts as a catalyst for chemical reactions. Two main enzymes are located in liver cells: alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). When liver cells are injured or become inflamed, these enzymes leak into the bloodstream.

Who is at Risk for Elevated Liver Enzymes?

You may be at risk for elevated liver enzymes if you're taking any of the following cholesterol-lowering medications:
  • Advicor®
  • Caduet®
  • Crestor®
  • Gemfibrozil®
  • Lescol®
  • Lipitor®
  • Lopid®
  • Lovastatin®
  • Mevacor®
  • Nicotinic acid
  • Pravachol®
  • Pravastatin®
  • Simvastatin®
  • Tricor®
  • Vytorin®
  • Zocor®.

How Does Elevated Liver Enzymes Screening Work?

The medical screening test for elevated liver enzymes is a quick, simple finger-stick blood test. You don't need to fast or otherwise prepare for this test. After taking a sample of blood, a lab technician will analyze it for liver enzymes. High liver enzymes may indicate a liver problem. The numbers of enzymes that imply damage vary depending on the type of enzyme as well as the patient's gender:
ALT, for males:
  • Desirable: 10 to 40 U/L (units per liter)
  • Possible liver damage: more than 120 U/L
  • Possible severe liver damage: more than 200 U/L.
ALT, for females:
  • Desirable: 7 to 35 U/L
  • Possible liver damage: more than 105 U/L
  • Possible severe liver damage: more than 175 U/L.
AST, for males:
  • Desirable: 15 to 40 U/L
  • Possible liver damage: more than 120 U/L
  • Possible severe liver damage: more than 200 U/L.
AST, for females:
  • Desirable: 13 to 35 U/L
  • Possible liver damage: more than 105 U/L
  • Possible severe liver damage: more than 175 U/L.
If you're taking cholesterol-lowering medication, get a medical screening test for elevated liver enzymes to monitor potential liver damage.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Nutrition & Cystic Fibrosis

Image
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that affects the body's exocrine glands, including the various mucus and sweat glands found throughout the body. Since cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease, most people with the disease are usually diagnosed by their first birthday. The most common problems due to cystic fibrosis are related to the lungs and the digestive system. In the lungs, the mucus produced by the various exocrine glands is abnormally thick, creating obstructions in the breathing passageways and, eventually, damage to the lungs. Furthermore, the thick mucus creates an ideal breeding ground for various bacteria and other organisms, which results in frequent lung infections, damage to the lungs and, ultimately, respiratory failure. Cystic fibrosis also affects the pancreas. The pancreas is responsible for producing various enzymes to aid in digestion, but in cystic fibrosis the pancreas is unable to excrete sufficient amounts of pancreatic enzymes to help digest foo
Keep reading

Pernicious Anemia: Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Image
Anemia  is a blood disorder in which the number of red blood cells or the amount of hemoglobin is lower than normal. With fewer red blood cells or hemoglobin, insufficient oxygen is delivered to the body 's cells. Pernicious anemia  is a type of anemia caused by a deficiency in vitamin B12. In pernicious anemia, the lack of vitamin B12 is due to the body 's inability to produce enough  intrinsic factor , a protein necessary for the absorption of vitamin B12. Pernicious anemia is a type of  megaloblastic anemia . Megaloblastic anemia is defined as, "a blood disorder characterized by anemia, with red blood cells that are larger than normal, usually resulting from a deficiency of folic acid or of vitamin B12 .  " (U.S. National Library of Medicine) Pernicious anemia by any other name . . . Pernicious anemia is known by a number of other names, including: macrocytic achylic anemia congenital pernicious anemia juvenile pernicious anemia vitamin B12 deficienc
Keep reading

Atresia of the Gastrointestinal Tract

Atresia , a closure or absence of a natural passage or orifice in the body, is a birth defect that can affect many parts of the body. In the case of gastrointestinal atresia, the passage of food through various digestive organs can be blocked, preventing the body from processing and extracting nutrients from food, and from excreting waste. Several types of gastrointestinal artresia have been identified. Esophageal Atresia The esophagus is the tube that connects the mouth and throat to the stomach. When you chew and swallow food, it travels down the esophagus for digestion in the stomach. Several types of esophageal atresia exist. In some cases, the esophagus narrows significantly, making it difficult for food to pass through. In most cases, however, the esophagus ends and does not connect to the stomach. Some babies with esophageal atresia may also have a tracheoesophageal fistula, or an abnormal connection between the esophagus and the trachea (windpipe). A baby may choke du
Keep reading