Index
Medical definition:
In medicine, elevated levels of transaminases can indicate liver damage. Transaminases are enzymes that have metabolic activity in cells. These enzymes are present in various tissues (liver, heart, kidneys, and muscles) that reflect the movement of the liver and the heart.
The liver has transaminases to synthesize and break down amino acids and convert energy storage molecules, also called plasma, at typically low levels.
However, if the liver is damaged, the membrane of liver cells (hepatocytes) becomes more permeable, and some enzymes escape the bloodstream.
Elevated levels are sensitive to liver injury, which means you are likely to be present if there are injuries. However, they can also be elevated in other conditions, such as thyroid disorders, celiac disease, and muscle disorders.
The measurement of high transaminases is used to diagnose heart attacks, although they have been replaced by new tests of enzymes and proteins that are more specific for heart damage.
The possible causes of high levels are inflammation of the liver (hepatitis A, B, C, infectious mononucleosis, acute viral fever, alcohol, pancreatic disorder), injury to the muscles (trauma, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, insufficiency binding renal), and many toxins and drugs.
Treatment for High Transaminase
- Antiviral drugs reduce hepatic enzymes elevated by hepatitis C.
- Take diuretics as prescribed by the doctor. The doctor can prescribe antibiotics
- Stop drinking alcohol immediately. Please do not drink alcohol after it has recovered.
Attention
The results of a blood test are never enough to make a diagnosis, regardless of the dose taken. Only the doctor can dictate a diagnosis after comparing these results with the questioning of the patient, the clinical examination, and other possible test results.
On the other hand, there are high transaminases with chronic elevation when evidence of levels higher than 1.5 times the upper limit of normal.
Do not worry; without getting your doctor’s opinion, he is the one who can tell you if there is any complication.
The increase in transaminases does not necessarily reflect an anomaly. It is necessary to carry out other exams. A blood test of liver activity is also usually done, including at least the blood test, alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin.
Low Transaminases
A decrease in transaminases may be related to pregnancy or vitamin B6 deficiency.
Elevation of Transaminases
An increase of transaminases in the blood occurs when the liver cells are destroyed, which occurs in all the liver diseases: viral, infectious or toxic hepatitis, and liver cancer. These high transaminases can also be related to autoimmune disease, obesity, overweight, alcoholism, myopathy, myocardial infarction, parasites, or pancreatitis.
It should be noted that muscular efforts or muscle trauma can increase transaminase levels. People over 60 may also have high blood levels of transaminases.
Pharmaceutical products
Contraceptives and anti-epileptic medications can alter transaminases in the blood.