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Possible Causes of Elevated Liver Enzymes

A blood test for liver problems will check for liver enzymes in the blood. The enzymes that are usually looked for include aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). AST may be found in the liver, muscle, heart, brain and kidney. ALT is primarily found in the liver. Elevated levels of AST and/or ALT may indicate muscle damage, injury to the liver or liver disease.

  1. Hepatitis A, B or C

    • Hepatitis is a viral infection in your liver. Hepatitis A is the most common. It is spread through the feces of an infected person. Improper hand washing can spread the illness, as well as eating raw oysters or uncooked clams. Symptoms include fatigue, nausea, pain on the right side of your stomach under your rib cage, fever, sore muscles and lack of appetite. It goes away on its own in two to three months.

    Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

    • Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease can eventually lead to cirrhosis of the liver, which is a common cause of liver failure and the need for a transplant. It can be treated with insulin-sensitizing medications such as Avandia, Actos and Glucophage. Diet and exercise, resulting in weight loss, can reverse it.

    Obesity

    • Obesity can lead to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

    Medications

    • Certain medications may cause elevated liver enzymes such as acetaminophen and naproxen, prescription medications for high cholesterol, anti-seizure medications, antibiotics and cardiovascular medications.

    Less Common Causes

    • Less common causes of elevated enzymes are alcoholic hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, cirrhosis, celiac disease, cytomegalovirus infection, liver cancer, heart attack, dermatomyositis, gallbladder inflammation, Epstein-Barr Virus, mononucleosis, muscular dystrophy, hemochromatosis and hypothyroidism.

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