What May Cause Elevated Liver Enzymes?

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease seems to be another trigger for elevated liver enzymes. This disease may occur when fat cells accumulate in the liver. However, it does not appear to be the result of alcohol consumption. Instead, possible causes may include high blood sugar, insulin resistance, obesity, and high triglycerides. Risk factors seem to include sleep apnea, high cholesterol, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes. Patients may be diagnosed during a blood test done for another reason. This may be because it does not always trigger visible symptoms. The blood test, however, may reveal their elevated liver enzymes. Other diagnostic tests seem to be liver biopsies, CT scans, and abdominal ultrasounds.

The standard treatment for this condition appears to be weight loss. Patients may be asked to lose up to ten percent of their weight. However, benefits may start appearing when they have lost five percent. This disease seems to trigger cirrhosis of the liver when it is left untreated. Patients in these circumstances may require a liver transplant.

Continue reading to discover another potential cause of this condition now.