What are the implications of elevated transaminase levels?
Generally, elevated transaminase levels may cause symptoms such as mild fatigue, loss of appetite, skin itching, jaundice, and chest tightness. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Mild Fatigue
Elevated transaminase levels may affect energy metabolism, leading to insufficient energy supply in the body and causing mild fatigue. Patients may feel physically weak and tired easily, even experiencing exhaustion during routine daily activities.
2. Loss of Appetite
Bile is a crucial substance for fat digestion. Transaminase levels may influence bile secretion and excretion. When transaminase levels are high, insufficient bile secretion may lead to poor digestion of food and affect appetite. Patients may lose interest in food, eat less, or even develop anorexia.
3. Skin Itching
Elevated transaminase levels may affect liver function, leading to bile stasis. In such cases, bile salts in the bile may enter the subcutaneous tissues through the bloodstream, stimulating skin nerve endings and causing skin itching.
4. Jaundice
When transaminase levels rise, the liver's ability to metabolize bilirubin is affected, causing bilirubin accumulation in the blood and subsequently triggering jaundice. Patients may experience yellowing of the skin and sclera, and their urine may become darker.
5. Chest Tightness
Cardiac cells also contain certain levels of transaminases. Elevated transaminase levels may impair heart function, causing symptoms like chest tightness associated with cardiovascular diseases.
It is recommended to maintain a healthy lifestyle, avoid excessive alcohol consumption and high-fat diets, and engage in appropriate physical exercise to enhance immune function. Regular health checkups also help maintain liver health.