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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffElevated liver enzymes indicate inflammation or damage to cells in the liver. Inflamed or injured liver cells may leak higher than normal amounts of certain chemicals, including liver enzymes, into the bloodstream, resulting in elevated liver enzymes on blood tests.
The specific elevated liver enzymes most commonly found are:
- Alanine transaminase (ALT)
- Aspartate transaminase (AST)
Elevated liver enzymes may be detected during liver function tests. In most cases, liver enzyme levels are elevated mildly and temporarily. Most of the time, elevated liver enzymes don't signal a chronic, serious liver problem.
- Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2009. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:1434.
- Feldman M, et al. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2006:1575.
- Wilkinson JM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Jan. 8, 2009.
- Green RM, et al. AGA technical review on the evaluation of liver chemistry tests. Gastroenterology. 2002;123:1367.
