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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
slightly elevated liver count
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
KevinMD.com
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
slightly elevated liver count
by beach girl, Apr 13, 2004 12:00AM
I am an extremely active (working) sixty-some woman. I take purienthal and colazar for colitis and a small amount of aceon for mildly elevated blood pressure. About a monty ago I had a bout of infections (walking pneumonia and UTI) and was treated with antibotics for two weeks. On my recent regular checkup with my gastro doctor, I had a blood check and was told that I have very slightly elevated liver counts. Should I be worried or is there some immediate action that I can take? I seldom drink alcohol, do not smoke, and do exercise. I am also slightly anemic. What am I doing wrong?
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Apr 14, 2004 12:00AM
, Apr 14, 2004 12:00AM
There are many reasons for an elevated liver count. They can include lab error, medications, hepatitis, fatty liver amongst other things.
If you do not drink alcohol, you may want to consider whether the medications are causing the elevation in the enzymes. Antibiotics can cause this as well, so repeating the tests at a later date may be considered.
To evaluate for anatomical causes of the liver and gallbladder, you can consider an abdominal ultrasound. Viral hepatitis can be tested for via a simple blood test.
If everything is negative, there is a subset of the population who just have a benign elevation of the liver enzymes and requires perioding monitoring.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
If you do not drink alcohol, you may want to consider whether the medications are causing the elevation in the enzymes. Antibiotics can cause this as well, so repeating the tests at a later date may be considered.
To evaluate for anatomical causes of the liver and gallbladder, you can consider an abdominal ultrasound. Viral hepatitis can be tested for via a simple blood test.
If everything is negative, there is a subset of the population who just have a benign elevation of the liver enzymes and requires perioding monitoring.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
Member Comments (1)
by sandybliv, Apr 13, 2004 12:00AM
If your enzymes are slightly elevated as mine were, I would repeat the test in about 3 mos and monitor it. If they should go higher after having more blood work, I would have a scan. My enzymes flucuated from slighly elevated to extremely elevated. I am waiting on test results to determine if the elevation was caused by med's I was taking, a viral infection or something else. If the elevation is only a few degrees above 40 I would not be too concerned. Good luck.
by wesleyg, May 22, 2008 01:47PM
A related discussion, Slightly Elvated Liver Enzyme Count was started.
by chrissie81, Jul 14, 2008 01:42PM
A related discussion, high liver count was started.
