Elevated Liver Enzymes

Elevated Liver Enzymes

Liver enzymes are common screening tests in health check. Elevation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) indicates liver cell inflammation; whereas elevation of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) reflects bile duct inflammation or obstruction.

Liver enzyme elevation usually indicates disease in the liver, but sometimes it can be secondary to other systemic infection or illness. Elevated liver enzymes do not provide information on the nature of liver disease and further investigations are therefore needed. The commonest liver diseases are chronic hepatitis B, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and alcohol-related liver disorder. Less common causes include chronic hepatitis C, autoimmune hepatitis, drug induced liver injury, and metabolic disorders. Patients with liver cirrhosis or liver cancer may not have elevated liver enzymes.