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What Causes Elevated Liver Enzymes?

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Posted on Mon, 20 Oct 2014
Question: Dear doctor

I am a obesse 35 year old man.

We type 2 diabetes. I ahbe for the last 10 days taking metformin slow release.

My hbac1 was on the elevated side hence why taking tabs.

However my blood test were done and slightly abnornal liver test came back:

Ast 53

Alanine tranferase 63

All others were normal.

However i was takinh simisvatin 40mg for around 7 days prior to test but stopped takinh them arkund 5 days beofre test due to side affects.

I drink very rarely and i dont smoke.

What coukd this be?

doctor
Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Likely XXXXXXX and METABOLIC SYNDROME

Detailed Answer:
Good day,
Welcome to health care magic.
You have mentioned that you are obese and have Type 2 diabetes. What is your height and weight?

Your liver enzymes are elevated, but not alarmingly high. This is most likely due to Fatty liver and XXXXXXX ( NAFLD). XXXXXXX stands for non alcoholic steato hepatitis.
This is a common condition among obese diabetic patients. Together with obesity and diabetes and high cholesterol, this pattern of liver enzymes could be part of a condition called " METABOLIC SYNDROME"

However, simvasttin could also be contributing to some elevation in liver enzymes.
Why did you stop it ? what side effects did you experience from it ? We dont stop lipid medicines unless liver enzymes are more than 3 times the upper range of normal. Yours was just arond 2 times. Infact cholesterol lowering medicines will reduce XXXXXXX and will improve this conditions.
I must say that Simvastatin is a weak drug and instead of taking 40 mg of simvastatin, you could start with 10 mg Rozuvastatin a day.

You may have to do a hepatitis serology ( Hep B, Hep C ) and and ultrasound of liver tto look for other causes of enzyme elevation.

If ultrasound shows fatty liver or steatosis, then you should consider stopping alcohol completely and start exercise and weight loss. Exercie and weight loss are the 2 most importnant things which will improve both diabetes and fatty liver.

Wish you good health

Regrds
Binu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (28 hours later)
Weight is 130kg and i am dieting and losing weight.

Height is just under 6ft.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (2 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Weight loss will help

Detailed Answer:
In that case, fatty liver resulting in XXXXXXX is the likely cause of altered liver function. Please get an ultrasound done. Weight loss and exercise is the best way to reduce liver enzymes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (2 minutes later)
So nothing serious like cancer?

Thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (3 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Ultrasound

Detailed Answer:
In cancer, the enzyme levels will be much higher. If you are worried, please get an utrasound done
Note: For further follow-up, discuss your blood glucose reports with our diabetologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai

Endocrinologist

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 1438 Questions

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What Causes Elevated Liver Enzymes?

Brief Answer: Likely XXXXXXX and METABOLIC SYNDROME Detailed Answer: Good day, Welcome to health care magic. You have mentioned that you are obese and have Type 2 diabetes. What is your height and weight? Your liver enzymes are elevated, but not alarmingly high. This is most likely due to Fatty liver and XXXXXXX ( NAFLD). XXXXXXX stands for non alcoholic steato hepatitis. This is a common condition among obese diabetic patients. Together with obesity and diabetes and high cholesterol, this pattern of liver enzymes could be part of a condition called " METABOLIC SYNDROME" However, simvasttin could also be contributing to some elevation in liver enzymes. Why did you stop it ? what side effects did you experience from it ? We dont stop lipid medicines unless liver enzymes are more than 3 times the upper range of normal. Yours was just arond 2 times. Infact cholesterol lowering medicines will reduce XXXXXXX and will improve this conditions. I must say that Simvastatin is a weak drug and instead of taking 40 mg of simvastatin, you could start with 10 mg Rozuvastatin a day. You may have to do a hepatitis serology ( Hep B, Hep C ) and and ultrasound of liver tto look for other causes of enzyme elevation. If ultrasound shows fatty liver or steatosis, then you should consider stopping alcohol completely and start exercise and weight loss. Exercie and weight loss are the 2 most importnant things which will improve both diabetes and fatty liver. Wish you good health Regrds Binu