Victoria Booth
Liver Problems
See also Gall Bladder Problems
Question Received:
Response:
My husband has recently had 2 blood tests which both times have shown ‘abnormal liver enzymes’- he is not overweight, and does not drink heavily and smokes very moderately (approx 2 per day), what could these results be suggesting is wrong with him as he may have to undergo a liver biopsy – he also has been experiencing back pain of late, could this be connected?
4th April 2024
Many chemical reactions are carried out in the liver, and its cells contain thousands of enzymes, which are specialised proteins that catalyse specific reactions. Some of the enzymes are unique to the liver, while others are present in other tissues too. If liver cells are damaged, or for some reason begin to produce more of a particular enzyme than usual, enzymes can leak into the bloodstream. This might include transaminases (which are involved in the metabolism of amino acids), alkaline phosphatase, and lactic dehydrogenase. Detection of these enzymes can give a useful insight into the functioning of the liver and helps to pinpoint any problems. However, this evidence alone may not be enough to make a diagnosis, and other complementary approaches will be needed. There will need to be careful consideration of family history, occupation, environmental factors, rate of onset of the problem, symptoms, and so on.
Further tests on blood, urine, and stool may be called for, and as you mention, a liver biopsy. It is possible that a needle biopsy will be sufficient at this stage – this can be carried out under local anaesthetic using CT scanning to place the needle if a sample is needed from a specific location in the liver. The back pain that your husband is experiencing may or may not be related to a liver problem – pain arising from the liver tends to be experienced in the mid to right upper abdomen, but in problems relating to the biliary system (gall bladder, bile duct) pain may be felt in the right shoulder, neck, or close to the right shoulder blade (scapula). We are not in a position to speculate about possible liver problems, of which a wide range is possible. Continue to discuss the situation with your husband’s doctor and ask for an explanation of any test that is required or result that occurs.
