Elevated liver enzymes: What does it mean?

A laboratory report of elevated liver enzymes is common. It doesn't indicate a specific disease. However, it may be due to a liver disorder, even if you don't have any symptoms of liver problems. To determine the underlying cause of elevated liver enzymes, your doctor may recommend further testing.

Liver enzymes help maintain a variety of chemical and metabolic processes that occur in the liver. Normally, only very small amounts of these enzymes are present in your blood.

Common causes of elevated liver enzymes include:

• Medications, such as certain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, cholesterol-lowering medications, antibiotics and anti-seizure medications
• Drinking too much alcohol
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Elevated triglycerides
• Infection, such as viral hepatitis and mononucleosis
• Autoimmune disorders of the liver and bile ducts, such as autoimmune hepatitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis and primary biliary cirrhosis
• Metabolic liver disease, such as hemochromatosis and Wilson's disease
• Excessive use of certain herbal supplements, such as kava, comfrey, pennyroyal and skullcap
• Tumors of the liver or bile ducts

Treatment of elevated liver enzymes depends on the underlying cause. It is important to tell your doctor about any nutritional or herbal supplements you are taking.