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Elevated Liver Enzymes Infections

An elevation in liver enzymes may have various causes but is often indicative of an infection in the liver.

  1. Significance

    • The liver is crucial to the body's overall health, as this large organ is responsible for performing more than 400 functions daily, according to the University of Southern California Department of Surgery. An infection of the liver threatens serious consequences, including fatal liver failure.

    Liver Function Test

    • A liver function test is used to measure the blood levels of the most significant liver enzymes. Elevated levels of these enzymes, or combination of enzymes, implies that the liver is functioning abnormally, which requires further evaluation or testing to determine the presence of an infection.

    Types of Enzymes

    • Of the enzyme levels measured in liver function tests, three of the most significant include alanine aminotransferase, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase and alkaline phosphatase. High levels of these enzymes are related to liver inflammation and disease.

    Hepatitis

    • If a liver test reveals elevated enzymes and the doctor excludes other causes (such as hormonal medication), the infection of the liver that causes its inflammation and damage is hepatitis. Hepatitis is caused by one of the hepatitis viruses--typically hepatitis A, B or C, which vary in prognosis and treatment options.

    Acute Versus Chronic

    • Acute hepatitis is the first stage of the liver infection, when the virus can be treated and rid from the body within six months (although this is not a cure, since the virus can reoccur and progress, especially if a patient begins drinking heavily). Untreated acute hepatitis leads to chronic hepatitis, which occurs when the virus is present for more than six months and has many more potential complications and risks, including cirrhosis (end-stage liver disease).

    Alcoholism

    • Heavy drinkers may produce liver function test results that reveal elevated enzyme levels. Alcohol abuse is a cause of liver disease, and can worsen hepatitis, risking liver failure.

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