Liver values too high? You usually don't notice it

What does it mean if your liver values are too high?

Elevated liver values can indicate that liver cells are irritated or damaged, but a single elevated value does not immediately reveal the cause. This is why different liver values are usually assessed together.

When liver cells are irritated or damaged, certain enzymes can be released into the bloodstream in greater amounts. Blood tests may detect this as an elevated liver value.

An elevated result does not necessarily mean that the liver is seriously damaged. In many cases, the abnormality is mild or temporary. Its significance depends on factors such as which value is elevated, how much it deviates from the normal range and what the other test results show.

Why do elevated liver values often cause no symptoms?

Elevated liver values can be present without causing clear symptoms. The liver has a large functional reserve, meaning that the healthy part can often continue to perform its functions sufficiently when some liver cells are irritated or damaged. Changes can therefore occur in the liver without you noticing them.

Online, this is sometimes referred to as “symptoms of an overworked liver”. However, an overworked liver is not a recognised medical diagnosis. In medical terms, it is more appropriate to refer to elevated liver values, impaired liver function or liver damage, depending on what has actually been identified.

The absence of symptoms is also one reason why elevated liver values are often discovered by chance, for example when blood tests are performed for other symptoms or as part of a broader health check.

What signs can indicate liver damage?

Mild liver damage often causes no specific symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they may include fatigue or a vague feeling of pressure or discomfort in the upper right abdomen.

These signs are not specific to the liver and can have many other causes. For example, fatigue combined with abnormal liver values does not automatically mean that the liver is causing the fatigue. Symptoms alone are therefore not sufficient to determine whether liver damage is present.

What exactly are liver values?

Liver values are different substances measured through blood tests to provide information about the liver and bile ducts. There is therefore no single ‘liver value’: doctors look at several values and, in particular, at the pattern they show together.

Commonly measured liver values include ALT, AST, gamma-GT, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin and albumin. They do not all provide the same information.

ALT (alanine aminotransferase) is an enzyme found mainly in liver cells. When liver cells become damaged or irritated, more ALT can be released into the bloodstream.

AST (aspartate aminotransferase) is also an enzyme that can be released when cells are damaged. However, AST is not only found in the liver, but also in other tissues.

Gamma-GT (GGT) is an enzyme found in the liver and bile ducts, among other tissues. Elevated gamma-GT levels can have various causes and are therefore assessed in combination with other values.

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is another value that can provide information about the bile ducts, among other things. ALP is also found in other parts of the body.

Bilirubin is produced during the breakdown of red blood cells and is processed by the liver. The amount of bilirubin in the blood can therefore provide information about how it is processed and excreted.

Albumin is a protein produced by the liver. It provides different information from liver enzymes and can, among other things, indicate how well the liver is able to produce certain proteins.

What is considered a normal liver value varies depending on the laboratory and measurement method used. Always refer to the reference ranges provided with your own blood test results. A universal table with a single normal value for ALT, AST or gamma-GT, for example, can therefore be misleading.

How is liver damage or impaired liver function diagnosed?

Blood testing is often a first step in assessing liver health, but an abnormal blood test result does not always provide a diagnosis on its own. If the results indicate a possible problem, further testing may be needed to determine why the values are elevated.

A liver test or liver function test measures several substances in the blood. The pattern of values such as ALT, AST, gamma-GT, ALP, bilirubin and albumin can help with the assessment.

A doctor does not look at the individual values alone. The degree of elevation, the relationship between different values, previous test results, symptoms, medication use and other health factors may also be relevant.

If blood tests do not provide sufficient clarity, or if there is a reason to examine the liver itself, additional testing may be recommended. Imaging techniques such as ultrasound or MRI can be used to examine the liver and surrounding structures.

Blood tests and imaging therefore provide different types of information. Blood tests measure substances and enzymes in the blood, while imaging shows the physical appearance and structure of the liver.

Would you like to have your liver values checked?

An elevated liver value on its own is usually no reason to panic, but an abnormal result should be taken seriously and properly assessed. Its significance depends on which values are elevated, how much they deviate from the reference range and the possible underlying cause.

Laboratory testing can be used to assess various blood values. An MRI of the upper abdomen can provide images of the liver, among other organs. A liver MRI is also part of the Prescan Pro body scan, while the Prescan Elite body scan also assesses the liver as part of the MRI Body Composition examination.

Would you like more insight into your liver health and the factors associated with it? Find out which examination best suits your situation.