Liver enzymes how long

The liver is one of the most important organs in the body, and is responsible for a number of functions that keep the body working as it is designed. The liver detoxifies your blood, produces proteins that help with clotting, handles cellular waste, processes nutrients, stores vitamins, and helps your body make glucose. Liver Enzymes are proteins within the liver that help to speed up certain chemical reactions.

If any of these processes are inhibited it could lead to serious complications. Elevated liver enzymes may indicate inflammation or damage to cells in the liver. Inflamed or injured liver cells leak higher than normal amounts of certain chemicals, including liver enzymes. Symptoms of mild to moderate elevation of liver enzymes may vary from no symptoms to the following:.

The human liver contains thousands of enzymes, which are special types of protein cells that help necessary chemical reactions to take place. A wide range of health problems can lead to elevated liver enzymes:. To determine if your liver is damaged, several blood tests will be conducted to check the type and amount of Liver Enzymes in the blood. If elevated abnormal liver enzymes are present, it could indicate liver damage, as these enzymes are normally only found within the liver. This content does not have an English version.

This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. Request Appointment. Symptoms Elevated liver enzymes. Sections Basics Definition Causes When to see a doctor. Definition Causes When to see a doctor. Products and services. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. People are at risk of cirrhosis if they do not receive treatment for hepatitis or fatty liver disease.

A blood test can show elevated liver enzymes. The blood test checks for raised levels of AST and ALT, which are enzymes that the liver releases when it becomes inflamed or damaged.

If a doctor finds that a person has raised AST or ALT levels, they are likely to carry out further tests to determine the underlying cause. The treatment for elevated liver enzymes will focus on managing the underlying condition causing the increased levels.

The doctor may advise a person to make lifestyle changes to lose weight, such as:. Speaking with a nutritionist or even a personal trainer can help someone stay on track with their weight loss plan. If a person has fatty liver disease due to alcohol consumption, the doctor will support them in reducing their alcohol intake. Treatments for hepatitis depend on whether it is acute or long term. A doctor may recommend the following treatments for acute hepatitis:.

Anyone who feels as though their alcohol or drug use is causing health problems or interfering with their everyday life should speak to their doctor. Cirrhosis is permanent liver damage, so it is not always treatable. However, the underlying cause of liver damage is usually responsive to treatment.

The conditions that we discussed above may all lead to cirrhosis. Treatments such as a modified diet, weight loss, and reduced alcohol consumption can all reduce the risk of further liver damage. The prompt diagnosis and treatment of conditions that affect the liver can help prevent cirrhosis.

Elevated liver enzymes are a sign that a person has an inflamed or damaged liver. Many conditions may cause liver inflammation or damage. Doctors use a blood test to check for elevated liver enzymes. See related article on mildly elevated liver transaminase levels. The liver releases several substances when it is injured. About three out of 10 people will have normal levels again if blood tests are repeated in two to four weeks. Medical conditions such as hepatitis swelling of the liver , nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, the metabolic syndrome, and alcoholic liver disease are the more common causes.

Certain medicines can also cause elevated liver enzymes. Your doctor will ask you questions and examine you to try to find out why your enzymes are elevated. He or she may do another blood test to make sure the results weren't wrong. If these tests are also positive, your doctor will do other tests to find out what is causing the problem. Treatment depends on what is causing your liver enzymes to be elevated.

If your doctor thinks you have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or the metabolic syndrome, you will need to watch your diet, stop drinking alcohol, lose weight, and control your cholesterol. If your liver enzymes are still elevated after six months, your doctor may do more blood tests or an ultrasound. He or she also might want you to see another doctor who specializes in the digestive system.