Description

Elevated liver function tests can indicate liver damage or inflammation. This can be caused by a number of possible conditions, including infections, toxins, certain medications, and other medical conditions. 

Causes

  • Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): The liver has more fatty tissue than normal 
  • Alcoholic liver disease: Regular or heavy alcohol use can damage the liver 
  • Hepatitis B or C: These viral infections can cause liver enzyme levels to rise 
  • Medications: Some prescription and over-the-counter medications, including statins and acetaminophen (Tylenol), can increase liver enzymes 
  • Toxic hepatitis: An inflammation of the liver caused by exposure to chemicals, alcohol, drugs, or supplements 
  • Wilson's disease: A genetic disorder that can cause elevated liver enzyme levels for more than six months 
  • Mononucleosis: Can cause elevated liver enzymes 
  • Heart failure: Can cause elevated liver enzymes 
  • Obesity: Can cause elevated liver enzymes 

The following test are included:

Ceruloplasmin

Hemoglobin A1C (HgA1C)

Hepatitis B Surface Antigen

Hepatitis C Antibody with Reflex to PCR Blood Test

Ferritin

Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4)

Mitochondrial M2 antibody (AMA-M2)

Fasting not required.

Additional information about each test is listed below:

An elevated ceruloplasmin level along with elevated liver enzymes is important because it can be a strong indicator of a copper-related liver disease, most notably Wilson's disease, where the body accumulates too much copper in the liver and other organs, potentially causing significant damage if left untreated; high ceruloplasmin levels can signify excessive copper in the bloodstream, which is a key feature of this condition. 

An elevated Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) level alongside elevated liver enzymes is important because it can indicate a potential link between uncontrolled blood sugar levels (diabetes) and liver damage, potentially signifying a higher risk for developing complications related to both conditions, like liver fibrosis or cardiovascular disease; monitoring both markers is crucial for managing overall health, especially if you are at risk for either diabetes or liver disease.

Elevated liver enzymes in conjunction with a positive Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) test is important because it indicates an active Hepatitis B infection, potentially signifying liver damage caused by the virus, and warrants further medical evaluation and monitoring to assess the severity of the infection and determine the need for treatment. 

An elevated liver enzyme level and a positive hepatitis C antibody test with a reflex to PCR blood test are important because they can indicate a hepatitis C infection. Early detection and treatment can help prevent serious health problems. 

Elevated liver enzymes alongside a high ferritin level can be significant because it often indicates an underlying issue with iron overload or liver inflammation, potentially related to conditions like non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), hemochromatosis (genetic iron overload), or other liver diseases, making further investigation necessary to identify the cause and manage the problem effectively. 

The Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) test is a non-invasive blood test that estimates the amount of scarring in the liver. It's used to determine if a patient needs further evaluation for liver disease. 

Elevated liver enzymes in conjunction with a positive Mitochondrial M2 antibody (AMA-M2) test is significant because it strongly indicates the presence of Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC), an autoimmune liver disease, as the AMA-M2 antibody is highly specific to PBC and its presence alongside abnormal liver function tests suggests damage to the bile ducts within the liver, a key feature of the disease; therefore, further investigation and management for PBC are crucial when these markers are detected.