Liver Function Tests Are Often Ignored By Doctors!

Many patients with treatable or communicable liver diseases are not receiving treatment because abnormal liver function tests are not being properly investigated. It is important to know that even slightly elevated liver enzymes can indicate serious liver diseases. A UK study found that 11% of patients with elevated liver enzymes over 6 months were found to have serious liver diseases, which were not picked up!

If your liver enzymes are found to be elevated on a blood test for liver function then this test should be repeated by 6 weeks.

Common causes of elevated liver enzymes include –

• Fatty liver
• Excess alcohol causing alcoholic liver disease
• Early cirrhosis
• Viral hepatitis
• Hemachromatosis (hereditary iron overload)
• Drug side effects on the liver – the most common drug culprits are statins (cholesterol lowering drugs), analgesics, Non Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), antibiotics, anti-epileptics, and immune-suppressant drugs. NSAIDs are available over the counter and will soon require a warning that they can be liver toxic and prolonged use is not advised. Also it is good to remember that acetaminophen (also known as paracetamol) can be very liver toxic.

Elevations of the liver enzyme GGT (gamma glutamyltransferase usually indicate alcohol or drug side effects.

Elevations of ALT or AST (alanine amino transferase or aspartate aminotransferase) usually indicate inflammation due to hepatitis, toxic injury from drugs or iron overload.

Elevations of ALP (alkaline phosphatase) may indicate slow bile flow or infiltration of the liver with cancer. ALP may also come from the bone.

If liver enzymes remain elevated over several months, further tests must be done and these include, blood iron studies, hepatitis virus tests, blood copper levels, auto-antibody levels and an ultrasound of the liver. A Fibroscan of the liver can be done to check for cirrhosis and in some cases a liver biopsy may be needed. It is wise to also consult a liver specialist (hepatologist).

Elevated liver enzymes indicate inflammation of liver cells and thus damage to liver cells. It is important to stop this inflammation to prevent cirrhosis of the liver.

Essential nutrients to support healthy liver function and to reduce liver inflammation include –

• NAC
• Selenium
• A comprehensive liver formula such as Livatone Plus which contains activated B vitamins to increase methylation
• A raw juice to heal the liver can be made from kale, cabbage, mint, parsley, lime, lemon, orange, carrots and ginger
• The diet should be high in fruits and vegetables and easily digested protein such as bone broth, grass fed red meat, nuts and seeds. Avoid sugar and processed foods containing trans-fats.
• If you have autoimmune liver disease such as autoimmune hepatitis, Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC) or Sclerosing Cholangitis it is vital to follow a gluten free diet.

If liver disease is picked up early, and before end stage cirrhosis sets in, it is usually possible to reverse it and restore a healthy liver.

Of all the organs in the body, the liver is most able to regenerate itself

Reference

BMJ 2001; 322:276-78

The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.