Cause of High Liver Function

The liver is a vital organ that plays many roles in the human body. The liver is necessary for the metabolic system of a human being to function normally; it is the storage place of glycogen, a form of glucose (carbohydrate) that is necessary for daily energy expenditure. The liver is also responsible for protein synthesis, such as the recycling or wasting of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the "bad" cholesterol. Finally, the liver is key in detoxification of the blood; it acts as a filter through which body fluids travel. Increased liver function is a health problem that can devastate the liver's operation; it is important to know the causes and treatment options. Actually, it is medically correct to call increased liver function increased liver enzyme function, as it is actually the enzymes in the liver, and not the liver itself, that change their natural function level.

Physiological Description

• When a liver is damaged or distressed, the enzymes that are stored in the cells of the liver may be secreted. The most common liver enzymes are called aminotransferases; there are several different kinds of aminotransferases, all with a different function corresponding to bodily functions. These enzymes are crucial to the normal operation of the liver and the body in general, as they proceed and increase the rate of the liver's processes.
  A high liver function is generally caused by the secretion of these enzymes from their cells into the interstitial, or extra-cellular, fluid. Normal levels vary depending on the type of aminotransferase but do not exceed 56 units per liter of blood. There are many health problems that can cause this disturbance, but some common causes are alcohol abuse, obesity, thyroid disorders and hepatitis.

Symptoms

• Higher levels of aminotransferases can be an indicator of liver damage or disease, although high levels are in and of themselves not conclusive. Common symptoms include jaundice, where areas of the epidermis may turn more yellow in color, and itching, due to the inability of the liver to detoxify and filter out unnecessary substances from the body. Darker than usual urine is also a telltale symptom.

Testing

• Liver function tests can be completed in a laboratory to give more information on the level of aminotransferases in the blood. Several different tests can yield specific information about the amounts of the different kinds of aminotransferases in the bloodstream, which can give more specific information on what kind of liver problems there are and, perhaps, the cause of these problems.

Prognosis and Treatment

• Because elevated liver enzymes are indicative of another health problem, it is important to seek treatment for the health issue at hand and not just elevated liver enzyme levels. However, eating healthier (to minimize risk of obesity or to lose weight, if already obese) and drinking less are not just fables; they truly do seem to help.

Where to Seek Treatment

• If you or someone you know is concerned about high liver function, visit your nearest physician for a referral to the nearest medical lab. Remember, it is incorrect to ask about high liver function; it is appropriate and medically correct to ask about high liver enzyme activity.