What could it mean If I was told I have increased liver function?

Question

I was told I need an Abdominal Ultrasound, but I'm curious what ailments could come from having Increased Liver Function.

* I also have Gilbert's Syndrome which I'm told 5% of Americans have and is harmless. My Doc said the level of increase is still a concern to him though.

Answer 1

Elevated liver enzymes could be caused by many things: medication, viruses, disease, alcohol, etc. If they're sending you for an ultrasound, then I'm guessing you weren't on any medication that is suspect or they would have taken you off and retested your enzymes after a month or so.
So in that case, one of the most common reasons I've seen for high enzymes are exposure to viral hepatitis. Hopefully your doctor already did a hepatitis panel (Hep A, B, & C and others depending on where you live- some types of hepatitis are more prevalent in other parts of the world). If you've had any risk factors for hepatitis, that may explain your blood test results.
Hep A- transmitted by fecal/oral route (poor handwashing after using the bathroom). Spread by food preparation, MSM sex, rimming. (Sorry to be blunt, but you should know)
Hep B- transmitted by bodily fluids and blood to blood . The risk factors are : sex, blood transfusions before 1972, tattoos, piercings, IV drug use even if only one time back in the day, snorting drugs & sharing a straw or dollar bill, sharing toothbrushes or razors with someone who is infected even if they aren't diagnosed yet.
Hep C- blood to blood transmission- blood transfusions before 1992, tattoos, piercings, IV drug use even one time many years ago, snorting drugs & sharing a straw or dollar bill, kidney dialysis, pnuematic vaccinations through the military, blood exposure or needlesticks through work in the medical field, unsterilized instruments used through medical or dental procedures, and risky sex if blood is exchanged (as in rough sex, anal sex, kinky [pins or needles stuck into the skin, etc], MSM sex), sharing razors or toothbrushes with someone infected. Sexual transmission among stable, monogamous hetero couples has less than a 4% chance of transmission.
I hope this is not the case, but at least now you are aware of how this disease that strikes more than 4 million Americans is transmitted. Best wishes to you.

Answer 2

"Liver function" refers to the liver enzymes levels measured in your blood. And it's the other way around-the increased liver tests can come from the ailment-if indeed you have one at all.This can be from inflammation of the liver causing these enzymes to be released into the bloodstream. If significantly elevated your doctor may refer to that with the general term "hepatitis"=liver inflammation. The most common cause is excessive alcohol intake. Boozer's beware! Viral hepatitis (types A,B,C, and even D) contracted from another person is relatively common as well. Some medications and substances taken into your body can also increase the LFTs (Liver Function Tests). If the elevation is mild and your ultrasound is normal you may have a benign genetic condition (Gilbert's, Rotor's, wierd syndromes named after old dead doctors from the past). Talk with your doc after your ultrasound. If it's normal and tests for viral hepatitis (A,B, and C can be tested for) are negative-good. If you're drinking too much-lay off the sauce.
Good luck and hope this helps.

Answer 3

It means that you may have early liver failure. Increased liver function may come from taking medications for high cholesterol or anti-inflammatories for a long period of time. These things will destroy your liver as will drinking alcohol to excess. If your diagnosis was made from a blood test and you had been drinking heavily for the previous week, the test could be a little skewed. Get the ultrasound and then talk to your Doc about what life style changes you may need to make. This is a very serious problem as you need a liver to function! Good luck.

Answer 4

an elevated liver function can be a sign of liver damage most often caused by heavy alcohol use but can also be from being dehydrated for long periods of time or in my case a high a1c level (type 2 diabetes) ive been told that sometimes it can just be high for no reason too. if you are concerned go see your dr, and get your a1c checked and if that's ok drink more water. if you do all that and still dont know... you may just be one of those types who have a high alt(liver function)

Answer 5

Elevated liver function means that there are higher than normal amounts of enzymes in your blood that have been produced by the liver in response to something. Liver disease, alcohol consumption or simply diet can all have an effect. If you are getting an ultrasound done, it could be to check whether your liver is enlarged.

Answer 6

here:Cirrhosis
A serious disease of the liver caused by chronic damage to its cells and the eventual formation of scar tissue (fibrosis). The most common symptoms are mild jaundice, fluid collection in the tissues, mental confusion, and vomiting of blood. If left untreated, cirrhosis lead to liver failure and death.


Hemolytic disease of the newborn
Also known as erythroblastosis neonatorum, this is a condition in which a newborn's red blood cells are destroyed by antibodies that have crossed the placenta from the mother's blood. (Hemolytic disease begins in the fetus, in whom the disease is called erythroblastosis fetalis). Severe anemia caused by hemolytic disease is treated in the same way as other anemias, but when jaundice appears due to increased bilirubin, the jaundice is treated by exposing the infant to bright lights. In severe cases, exchange transfusion is required or brain damage may result.


Hepatitis
An inflammation of the liver, with accompanying liver cell damage or cell death, caused most frequently by viral infection, but also by certain drugs, chemicals, or poisons. May be either acute (of limited duration) or chronic (continuing). Symptoms include jaundice, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, tenderness in the right upper abdomen, aching muscles, and joint pain. In severe cases, liver failure may result.


Hepatic encephalopathy
Also called liver encephalopathy or hepatic coma, this is a disorder in which brain function deteriorates because toxic substances, which would normally be removed by the liver, accumulate in the bloodstream due to liver damage or disease. Early symptoms include subtle changes in logical thinking, personality and behavior. As the disorder progresses, signs of drowsiness and confusion increase until eventually the patient loses consciousness and lapses into coma.


Reye's syndrome
A rare disorder characterized by brain and liver damage following an upper respiratory tract infection, chickenpox, or influenza, almost entirely confined to children under age 15, and often related to aspirin ingestion for a viral infection. Symptoms include uncontrollable vomiting, often with lethargy, memory loss, disorientation, or delirium. Swelling of the brain may cause seizures, coma, and in severe cases, death.
For Your Information

Answer 7

It's actually impaired liver function.
It is due to infections like hepatitis, fatty necrosis/cirrhosis due to alcohol or drugs causing hepatotoxicity.
They may find fatty liver, if it is enlarged due to alcoholism.
Good luck with your tests.

Answer 8

it means u can drink more alcohol and have it go thru ur system quicker than for most ppl..