Elevated transaminases

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Elevated transaminases
Synonyms	Elevated liver enzymes, transaminitis
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Often asymptomatic, fatigue, nausea, jaundice
Complications	Liver disease, cirrhosis, liver failure
Onset	Variable
Duration	Depends on underlying cause
Types	N/A
Causes	Hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, medications, autoimmune hepatitis, hemochromatosis, Wilson's disease
Risks	Obesity, diabetes, alcohol consumption, viral infections
Diagnosis	Blood test for alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST)
Differential diagnosis	Viral hepatitis, alcoholic hepatitis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis
Prevention	Healthy lifestyle, avoiding excessive alcohol, managing weight
Treatment	Addressing underlying cause, lifestyle changes, medication
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	N/A
Frequency	Common
Deaths	N/A

Elevated transaminases refers to the condition where the levels of transaminases, a type of enzyme, are higher than normal in the body. This condition is often indicative of liver damage or inflammation, as transaminases are typically found in the liver.

Causes

Elevated transaminases can be caused by a variety of conditions, including hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Other potential causes include heart failure, celiac disease, and mononucleosis. Certain medications, such as statins, can also cause elevated transaminases.

Symptoms

In many cases, elevated transaminases do not cause any symptoms. However, if the elevation is due to liver disease, symptoms may include jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.

Diagnosis

Elevated transaminases are typically discovered during routine blood tests. If elevated levels are found, further testing may be done to determine the cause. This can include additional blood tests, imaging studies, or a liver biopsy.

Treatment

Treatment for elevated transaminases depends on the underlying cause. This may involve lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, medication, or in some cases, surgery.

See also

• Liver function tests
• Alanine transaminase
• Aspartate transaminase