Abnormal Liver Enzymes (Aminotransferases)

Testing enzymes in the liver is an early step in detecting liver damage. Certain enzymes are usually present within the walls of the liver, but if the liver is damaged these enzymes will be detected in the blood.
One of the most widely used of these enzymes are aminotransferases – enzymes that catalyze chemical reactions in cells. Specifically a type of aminotransferase is known as ‘alanine aminotransferase’ (ALT) or as serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT). These specific enzymes are largely found in the liver and released into the bloodstream following some kind of injury to the liver, which is why it is such a good indicator of liver damage.

Higher levels of the ALT enzyme, as well as another animotransferase enzyme ‘aspartate aminotransferase’ (AST) or serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), should not always be linked to liver disease, as they do not always mean that there are definite liver problems. Also, the exact levels of AST or ALT enzymes also not represent the severity of the condition.

What liver diseases cause rises in the enzyme levels?

High numbers of these enzymes are usually found in disorders which cause the death of liver cells, such as hepatitis. However, moderate elevations in these enzymes are common and can often be found in healthy people. Fatty liver is the most common cause of these moderate elevations, which can be down to factors such as alcohol abuse and diabetes as well as obesity.

There are also a number of medications that affect enzyme levels, ranging from some antibiotics to anti-depressants, so it is important to discuss this with your doctor. In most cases the enzyme levels will return to normal a few weeks after stopping the medication.

There are also less common causes of increased enzyme levels which will all be explored bv your doctor following tests.