Causes of Elevated Liver Function Tests

Elevated liver function tests are conducted on patients to determine, whether their liver is functioning properly. These tests are conducted to diagnose chronic or metabolic liver diseases. Here, in this article, I will put in front of you the causes of elevated liver function tests.

Diagnosis of liver problems caused by any disease is not a simple task. Generally, liver problems are detected during the diagnosis of some other ailment. Thus, the situation may become very crucial. Elevated liver function tests can prove to be an answer to this question. Here, in this article, I am listing down for you the different causes of elevated liver funtion tests. It is advisable that a person suffering from any of these problems should go for these tests, to avoid any health complications.

Obesity

These tests are commonly conducted on obese people. Obesity is often considered as one of the primary reasons that causes malfunctioning of the liver. Diseases like diabetes, which affect the liver, is often a consequence of high fat accumulation.

Liver Injury

The elevated liver function tests may also be conducted on a person who is very likely to have suffered a liver injury, during an accident.

Medication

Consumption of a certain medicine over a prolonged period of time, may cause the liver to function abnormally. Drugs like aspirin and ibuprofin, if taken on a regular basis, can raise the chances of elevated liver functions. People suffering from high cholestrol problems are often prescribed drugs like statins to lower their cholestrol. These drugs if consumed on a regular basis, can cause elevated liver functions.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a disease that affects your liver. The virus causing this disease generally causes inflammation of the liver. Hence, it is not necessary to mention, that a patient suffering from this disease is often subjected to elevated liver function tests.

Viral Infections

A patient suffering from disorders in the immune system, is very likely to suffer from elevated liver function problems. If your immune system is not strong enough to resist viral infections, then in the long run, your liver becomes susceptible to these viral infections. This is one of the primary causes of an elevated liver function.

Alcohol

Now, we come down to the most common cause of elevated liver function tests, alcoholism. Regular consumption of alcohol in large quantities causes the liver to stop its normal functioning. This results in elevated liver functioning, and the impact on the liver caused by alcohol can only be diagnosed by an elevated liver function test. Consumption of medicines which contain alcohol, on a regular basis, may also prompt your doctor to suggest you, to go for an elevated liver function test.

What I have listed above are the primary and general causes of elevated liver functioning. However, there are numerous uncommon ailments too, which can cause the same problem. Hemochromatosis and Wilson's disease are two of these ailments which can result in the malfunctioning of the liver.