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14 Causes For Elevated Liver Enzyme Count

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Having elevated liver enzymes is normally a sign that someone’s liver is not working the way it should. When the liver cells are damaged or inflamed, they release enzymes into the bloodstream, which can then be detected by a blood test. When the count is elevated, a doctor will try to figure out the possible underlying causes, normally investigating by doing additional blood tests or asking about a patient’s dietary habits or their lifestyle.
But what exactly are liver enzymes in the first place and why is their count so important? According to Cleveland Clinic, ‘liver enzymes are proteins that speed up chemical reactions in your body. These chemical reactions include producing bile and substances that help your blood clot, breaking down food and toxins, and fighting infection.’
In this article, you will find out about the possible reasons behind high liver enzyme counts and the symptoms of certain conditions that at times, can even lead to liver damage.

1. Fatty Liver Disease

According to research, fatty liver disease is the most common reason for elevated liver enzymes. Studies show that 25-51% of people suffering from elevated liver enzymes is due to a fatty liver. Fatty liver happens due to fat build up within the liver, normally caused by too much alcohol consumption. Although alcohol alone is not necessarily the culprit, the fat buildup in the liver can become nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, or NAFLD. Quite often, patients that have metabolic syndrome are also at a higher risk of having NAFLD.

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