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What do elevated liver enzymes tell us about our national health?
Julkaistu 12.03.2010 00.01
Unexplained liver enzyme elevations are an increasingly common reason for referral of patients to liver clinics. Overweight and alcohol consumption together are potent inducers of elevated liver enzyme activities, and increasing alcohol consumption and the increasing prevalence of obesity in our society have led to elevated liver enzyme activities to such an extent that the upper reference limits for such enzymes have had to be set at higher levels. Recent studies have indicated that liver enzyme activities can be used not only as indicators of hepatic disease but also as indicators of general health and the status of oxidative stress. Elevated ALT and GT levels can predict insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, mortality from coronary heart disease and even mortality from all causes. If the upper reference limits for liver enzymes were to be defined based on the data obtained from normal weight abstainers, the clinical value of liver enzyme tests as screening tools and in patient follow-up could be significantly improved.
Onni Niemelä M.D., Professor Medical Research Unit, University of Tampere and Seinäjoki Central Hospital Laboratory
Email: onni.niemela@epshp.fi
Päivikki Alatalo
Finnish Medical Journal 2010;65:903–906
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