Hepatitis
The next most common cause of elevated liver enzymes is viral hepatitis, such as hepatitis A, B, or C. Of these three types, hepatitis A, which is contracted through contaminated food, is the only one that does not cause long-term liver injury.
When elevated liver enzymes are caused by hepatitis B or C, it can lead to long-term liver injury and, eventually, cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is the severe scarring of the liver that can happen as a result of chronic inflammation. Because hepatitis C is so common and can cause such severe damage, it’s recommended that anyone born between 1945 and 1965 be screened for the disease.
It’s important to understand that both hepatitis B and C are treatable. With prompt treatment, elevated liver enzymes caused by these diseases can be brought down to a healthy level, which can help prevent further damage to the liver.
When liver enzymes are elevated, it’s essential to consider a broad differential diagnosis. For example, the elevated enzymes could be due to hepatic injury, but they could also be due to injury that’s not hepatic in origin. Therefore, it’s essential to consider all the possible causes before diagnosing and proceeding with treatment.
