Elevated Liver Enzymes: Causes, Risk Factors & What to Do

Question
During a recent physical, my doctor said that my blood tests came back showing elevated liver enzymes, and that I may need to see an endocrinologist in the future.  What can elevated liver enzymes be related to/indicate?  

I am 55 yrs. old; drink only occasionally (once a month or less).  I have taken an extensive amount of Aleve over the years & have had cortisone shots and oral meds for relief of nerve pain (can they be a contributing cause?).

Answer
Sandi,

Several things can cause elevated liver enzymes.  It depends on which ones are elevated.  For example a chronically mildly elevated Bilirubin may be a benign process called Gilbert's Disease.  But elevated AST and ALT can be caused by excessive alcohol, several medications (statin drugs, over use of tylenol, ...)and of course infectious etiologies such as Mono, Hepititis A, B, C, acute or chronic.  It may also be caused by problems in the GI tract such as pancreatitis and gallbladder disease and stones.  You should see a Gastroenterologist or Hepatologist rather than an endocrinologist unless the root cause is from some endocrine disorder.

JP Saleeby, MD