Definition

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Elevated liver enzymes often are a sign of inflamed or damaged cells in the liver. Inflamed or injured liver cells leak higher levels of certain chemicals into the bloodstream. These chemicals include liver enzymes that may appear higher than usual on blood tests.

The most common elevated liver enzymes are:

  • Alanine transaminase (ALT).
  • Aspartate transaminase (AST).
  • Alkaline phosphatase (ALP).
  • Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT).
Elevated liver enzymes might be found during routine blood testing. In most cases, liver enzymes are only mildly raised for a short time. This usually doesn't signal a chronic, serious liver problem.

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March 29, 2024