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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- Journal of the American Board of Family Medication; The Relationship of Hepatitis Antibodies and Elevated Liver Enzymes with Impaired Fasting Glucose and Undiagnosed Diabetes; A.G. Mainous III et al.
- Journal of the American Board of Family Medication; The Relationship of Hepatitis Antibodies and Elevated Liver Enzymes with Impaired Fasting Glucose and Undiagnosed Diabetes; A.G. Mainous III et al.
- The Biochemical Journal; Adaptive Behaviour of Some Enzymes Involved in Glucose Utilization in Rat Liver During the Weaning Period; R.G. Vernon and D.G. Walker
- The Biochemical Journal; Adaptive Behaviour of Some Enzymes Involved in Glucose Utilization in Rat Liver During the Weaning Period; R.G. Vernon and D.G. Walker
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
Elevated Glucose and Liver Enzymes
One of the primary jobs of the liver is to break down and process carbohydrates in blood glucose. According to MayoClinic.com, elevated liver enzymes may be indicative of inflammation and damage to liver cells, which can be linked to a variety of other health conditions. For best results, ask your doctor for a blood test to determine your current level of liver enzymes.
Relationship
Liver cells that become inflamed or injured leak higher quantities of chemicals into the bloodstream, such as the alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase liver enzymes. Since glucose management is one of the key functions of the liver, damage or inflammation of the liver cells is likely to cause spikes and dips in blood glucose levels that may negatively impact your insulin levels. In addition to feeling hyper, dizzy and energetic, elevated glucose can cause prolonged stress on your nervous system due to the constant release of concentrated sugars into the blood.
Glucose and Liver Enzymes
High Liver Enzymes & High Blood Sugar
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When a healthy liver receives a large amount of carbohydrates, it stores the excess blood glucose in muscle deposits called glycogen. When your blood sugar levels begin to drop, your liver and pancreas release the glycogen and revert it back to glucose for immediate energy for your muscles, brain and organs. If you have been diagnosed with elevated liver enzymes, you may experience erratic spikes in glucose caused by the random processing of unneeded glycogen deposits. Unfortunately, this can also result in stark drops in glucose, resulting in symptoms of hypoglycemia such as headaches, drowsiness and weakness. In order to regulate your blood sugar levels, you may need to receive a diagnosis of your liver condition from a medical professional and follow a recommended treatment under doctor supervision.
- When a healthy liver receives a large amount of carbohydrates, it stores the excess blood glucose in muscle deposits called glycogen.
- If you have been diagnosed with elevated liver enzymes, you may experience erratic spikes in glucose caused by the random processing of unneeded glycogen deposits.
Studies
According to a study published in a 2008 issue of the “Journal of the American Board of Family Medication,” undiagnosed diabetes and impaired fasting glucose have a significant effect on your liver function 24. The study found that individuals with undiagnosed diabetes were twice as likely to exhibit elevated quantities of the liver enzyme called alanine transaminase 2. In similar fashion, conditions of impaired fasting glucose were linked with higher occurrences of the liver enzyme gammaglutamyl transaminase. The consistent relationship between elevated liver enzymes and blood sugar issues may suggest that liver complications may be a contributor to some diabetic and hyperglycemic patients.
Safety Concerns
What Causes the Blood Glucose Level to Increase in Liver Damage?
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Elevated liver enzymes may be a symptom of a more serious condition, and should be examined and treated under the supervision of a medical professional. Try avoiding high glycemic foods such as soft drinks, candy, white bread and other simply carbohydrates that may aggravate your high glucose levels.
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References
- Nursing Times; Understanding the Process Behind the Regulation of Blood Glucose; Pat James, Ph.D., and Roger McFadden, MSc
- Journal of the American Board of Family Medication; The Relationship of Hepatitis Antibodies and Elevated Liver Enzymes with Impaired Fasting Glucose and Undiagnosed Diabetes; A.G. Mainous III et al.
- The Biochemical Journal; Adaptive Behaviour of Some Enzymes Involved in Glucose Utilization in Rat Liver During the Weaning Period; R.G. Vernon and D.G. Walker
- American Diabetes Association: Elevated Liver Function Tests In Type 2 Diabetes
- Stellpflug SJ. Transaminitis: the lab test that has inflammation. J Med Toxicol. 2011;7(3):252-3. doi:10.1007/s13181-011-0161-7
- Radcke S, Dillon JF, Murray AL. A systematic review of the prevalence of mildly abnormal liver function tests and associated health outcomes. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2015;27(1):1-7. doi:10.1097/MEG.0000000000000233
- Shah NJ, John S. Acute and chronic liver failure. In: StatPearls. Updated April 7, 2019.
- American Association for Clinical Chemistry. Alanine Aminotransferase. Updated September 24, 2019.
- Oh RC, Hustead TR, Ali SM, Pantsari MW. Mildly elevated liver transaminase levels: causes and evaluation. Am Fam Physician. 2017;96(11):709-715.
- Kibirige D, Kiggundu DS, Sanya R, Mutebi E. Cholestatic hepatic injury due to a thyroid storm: a case report from a resource limited setting. Thyroid Res. 2012;5(1):6. doi:10.1186/1756-6614-5-6
- Al-Busafi SA, Hilzenrat N. Mild hypertransaminasemia in primary care. ISRN Hepatol. 2013;2013:256426. doi:10.1155/2013/256426
- Romero-Gómez M, Zelber-Sagi S, Trenell M. Treatment of NAFLD with diet, physical activity and exercise. J Hepatol. 2017;67(4):829-846. doi:10.1016/j.jhep.2017.05.016
Writer Bio
Based in the Appalachian Mountains, Brian Connolly is a certified nutritionist and has been writing professionally since 2000. He is a licensed yoga and martial arts instructor whose work regularly appears in “Metabolism,” “Verve” and publications throughout the East Coast. Connolly holds advanced degrees from the University of North Carolina, Asheville and the University of Virginia.