A high liver enzyme count is in an indication of liver damage or injury. A high liver enzyme count is over 40 units per liter of serum (the liquid part of the blood) for AST (SGOT) and over 56 units for ALT (SGPT).
Under normal circumstances, liver enzymes (proteins) live in the cells of the liver. When the liver is damaged for any reason, the enzymes are spilled into the bloodstream. The liver blood test detects the presence of the enzymes in the blood. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST or SGOT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT or SGPT) are the most sensitive and widely used enzymes.
While a high liver enzyme count indicates liver damage or injury from different types of disease, it does not necessarily mean that there is a liver problem. There are other causes, such as muscle damage. The liver count enzyme count has to be considered with an entire clinical evaluation.
The highest level of liver enzyme count is found with disorders that cause the death of the liver cells, such as acute viral hepatitis A or B. Levels can reach thousands of units per liter. Much more common are mild to moderate elevations. Examples of causes include fatty liver (often caused by alcohol abuse) and chronic hepatitis C. Some medications can cause abnormal liver enzymes levels. Examples include pain relief medication such as ibuprofen and aspirin, anti-seizure medication such as phenytoin, antibiotics such as fluconazole and tetracyclines, cholesterol lowering drugs such as fluvastatin, cardiovascular drugs such as quinidine, and antidepressant drugs of the tricyclic type. If caused by medication, the count usually normalizes within weeks of stopping the medication.
Other tests may also be used to confirm the diagnosis of a disorder or to monitor the activity. These include blood clotting tests, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT or gamma GT) and immunology. The latter identifies viruses, antibodies and auto-antibodies. A biopsy and/or ultrasound scan may also be needed.
You should consult your doctor for professional medical advice.
Under normal circumstances, liver enzymes (proteins) live in the cells of the liver. When the liver is damaged for any reason, the enzymes are spilled into the bloodstream. The liver blood test detects the presence of the enzymes in the blood. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST or SGOT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT or SGPT) are the most sensitive and widely used enzymes.
While a high liver enzyme count indicates liver damage or injury from different types of disease, it does not necessarily mean that there is a liver problem. There are other causes, such as muscle damage. The liver count enzyme count has to be considered with an entire clinical evaluation.
The highest level of liver enzyme count is found with disorders that cause the death of the liver cells, such as acute viral hepatitis A or B. Levels can reach thousands of units per liter. Much more common are mild to moderate elevations. Examples of causes include fatty liver (often caused by alcohol abuse) and chronic hepatitis C. Some medications can cause abnormal liver enzymes levels. Examples include pain relief medication such as ibuprofen and aspirin, anti-seizure medication such as phenytoin, antibiotics such as fluconazole and tetracyclines, cholesterol lowering drugs such as fluvastatin, cardiovascular drugs such as quinidine, and antidepressant drugs of the tricyclic type. If caused by medication, the count usually normalizes within weeks of stopping the medication.
Other tests may also be used to confirm the diagnosis of a disorder or to monitor the activity. These include blood clotting tests, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT or gamma GT) and immunology. The latter identifies viruses, antibodies and auto-antibodies. A biopsy and/or ultrasound scan may also be needed.
You should consult your doctor for professional medical advice.
