Elevated liver enzymes

[phorsenuf]

My DH just got a call about blood work he had done and he has to have more done because of elevated liver enzymes. Any thoughts on why?????

 

[Keli]

Were all his liver enzymes elevated or just one? My dd has one liver enzyme that is continually elevated. They've run thousands of dollars worth of tests and there have been no clear results so unfortunately we still don't have a diagnosis. She feels fine though and so it's been hard to get her to do more follow up tests, she's busy and just doesn't want to make time for them. The Dr. did say if they can't find any reason for it they may have to decide that this is normal for her and that if there is no underlying cause that it's not particularly dangerous.

 

[Blondy876]

I don't know if it was liver enzymes that were elevated but I did have a ton of blood work showing something was wrong with my liver. I even had to get an ultasound. It turned out that I had damaged my liver by taking too much Advil. I was having very severe migraines and just to function I was taking 4 to 6 tablets a day for about three weeks straight. Apparently that is bad. I'm fine now and I got a good long lecture from my doc. Good luck to your dh in whatever it turns out to be.

 

[grinningghost]

I had elevated liver enzymes when my I had my severe gallbladder attack. After they took it out, my liver enzymes went back to normal.

 

[justhat]

Elevated liver enzymes, depending on which are elevated, can be due to a variety of causes. If his ALT/AST are high (transaminitis) can be due to alcohol, hepatitis (whether this is A, B, or C), gall bladder disease, or medicine's he's taking (lipitor??). If it were gall bladder disease, you might see more of different enzymes elevated also, like alk phos or something. Is there any pain in his right upper belly? Does he look yellow (jaundiced)?
In addition, there are other liver enzymes that can be elevated and mean absolutely nothing like Gilbert's syndrome. I'm not sure exactly which enzymes are elevated, but be sure to follow up!! Hope this little bit helps.

mr justhat (about to graduate medical school--doesn't mean I know everything though!!!!)

 

[tinaluis]

My DD's liver enzymes were elevated just before she was dx with ulcerative colitis. I don't know what the connection between the elevation and dx was, but her DR was very concerned when her enzymes were elevated. Good luck to your DH.

 

[4nana]

No doctor here....but as mentioned, in many cases elevated liver enzymes are not necessarily a serious problem, some people have elevated readings for no reasons. However, if your DH has always had normal, your dr is wise for being thorough. Things such as meds, vitamins, overweight, triglycerides, virus, inflamation or even a fatty liver can be the culprit. In more serious cases, problems w/gall bladder, cirrhois, hepatitis, diabetes, etc. In my Mom's case, her liver enzymes were elevated on repeated tests and a liver biopsy unfortunately confirmed she had PBC (primary biliary cirrhosis), a slowly progressive autoimmune disease that gradually destroys the bile ducts.

Good luck and think positive, will surely keep him in my prayers for a postive outcome.

 

[DisGirl94]

I had elevated liver enzymes (900) when I was pregnant. I was taking Aldomet for hight blood pressure. I was in the hospital for five days. I stopped the Aldomet and the enzymes came down to normal. Good luck!

 

[AmyBeth68]

Many times it is related to a medication being taken.....cholesterol meds are known for this, as are many other types of meds.

 

[phorsenuf]

Thank you for all the great responses. He has to retake the blood test in a couple of weeks. He doesn't take any type of medication. I have no idea about any other past results because he doesn't go to the Dr. unless its by ambulance! LOL

Typical male. I think it took my about 3 years to finally get him to go get a physical done!

 

[paigevz]

DH also has an autoimmune liver illness...........they just call it autoimmune hepatitis. His own antibodies destroy his liver tissue.

But, it took a LONG time to get that diagnosis, and on the way to it, we heard of many, many possibilities for his troubles including medication (he didn't take any), alcoholism (was a social drinker, but not enough for that, they said........now he can't drink AT ALL, poor thing), and HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS...........so be sure if he's taking anything to have him try stopping for a while to see what happens.