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Could Hepatitis-A Lead To Elevated Liver Enzymes?
Posted on
Wed, 2 May 2018
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Wed, 2 May 2018
Answered on
Tue, 24 Oct 2023
Last reviewed on
Question : i got a blood test and it said I have elevated liver enzymes. I am 24 years old, female, 5'4" and 119 lbs. all other blood work was normal. I have a fairly good diet and only about 5 drinks per week. I work in a shelter with migrants from central XXXXXXX and 3 weeks before the blood test there was a stomach virus going around. is it possible I got hepatitis A? could this be the cause of my elevated liver enzymes? My doctor did not say I needed to redo blood work but I am worried. What should my next steps be?
Brief Answer:
Get a usg abdomen and serology test done.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for query my dear.
Initially would suggest you following tests to rule out the cause of fatty changes at young age.As there is history of alcohol intake there is possibility of fatty liver.The amount of fatty acid in the liver depends on the balance between the processes of delivery and removal.As the age increases the number of transporter cells which carry fat from liver to peripheral parts(for utilization decreases);Causing increased deposition of these fatty acids in liver.In a normal person age is usually the factor however alcohol and smoking can cause early fatty changes in him/her.
Hepatitis A usually present as yellow skin or eyes (jaundice), nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue and fever.
Lastly in a asymptomatic patient elevation of liver enzymes more then 3 times is significant.Mild elevation is clinically not significant.
Next step should be get an ultrasound abdomen done and a hepatitis serology test done.
Follow up with reports.
Thanks.
Get a usg abdomen and serology test done.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for query my dear.
Initially would suggest you following tests to rule out the cause of fatty changes at young age.As there is history of alcohol intake there is possibility of fatty liver.The amount of fatty acid in the liver depends on the balance between the processes of delivery and removal.As the age increases the number of transporter cells which carry fat from liver to peripheral parts(for utilization decreases);Causing increased deposition of these fatty acids in liver.In a normal person age is usually the factor however alcohol and smoking can cause early fatty changes in him/her.
Hepatitis A usually present as yellow skin or eyes (jaundice), nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue and fever.
Lastly in a asymptomatic patient elevation of liver enzymes more then 3 times is significant.Mild elevation is clinically not significant.
Next step should be get an ultrasound abdomen done and a hepatitis serology test done.
Follow up with reports.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
Answered by
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