Blood Drug Testing

A blood test has shown my liver function to be slightly up - why?

I have just emerged from a flu - like viral episode. Whilst still sweating at the end of the period of illness I went to the doctor who took bloods. It came back that my liver function, at the time I gave the blood sample, was slightly up. What would the most likely cause of this be? I am 34 years old. I should add, the result was given over the telephone today - I have an appointment for 10.40 am tomorrow at which I will discuss the results in full.

Public Comments

1. it could be a form of hepatitis, most likely hep A. it should completely resolve and they'll normalize. if you took a lot of medications, such as tylenol, while you were sick it could have elevated them as well.
2. well you should have asked the doctor while you were there.
3. tylenol is notorious for elevating liver function tests, and if you had the flu and used any otc medications, you probably got a lot of tylenol (acetaminophen) in your system, it is metabolised by the liver, thus the elevated functions. And if you used Nyquil, it not only has tylenol in it, it is about 90 proof alcohol, also metabolised in the liver and again elevating liver function. Recheck in two months.
4. Funnily enough I had an ultrasound scan today which came back with my liver 'looking a bit bright'. Apparently abnormalities in the liver can result from medication, so it could be that all that Lemsip you swallowed had a slightly adverse affect on it. Hope that's all it is, anyway. It's also affected by poor diet - white bread, pasta, you know the sort of thing, keep off the pastries and the curries as well for a while. The good news is that the liver is very good at repairing itself!
5. I had that after I'd had a virus. Also when I had a few gall stones. There are a number of reasons for it. Mine has gone back to normal now. Go back and ask what could be causing it ,for your peace of mind. When my enzyme levels were up, there was no panic about it. I just went back every now and then to keep an eye on it.
6. Many of my patients present with this. Elevated LFTs (liver function test) can be caused from viral infections, medication, drugs, alcohol, diet and pathology (these are most common). Drs generally order ultrasounds to rule out liver masses and then monitor your food and med intake.