Side Effect of High SGPT SGOT during Pregnancy
SGPT (serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase) and SGOT (serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase) are liver enzymes that help convert food into energy. These enzymes are predominantly produced by the liver but can also be found in the cells of the brain, heart, and kidneys. SGOT and SGPT are also known as AST (aspartate aminotransferase) and ALT (alanine transaminase), respectively.
If high amounts of SGOT and SGPT are present in the blood, it can either be a result of leakage of the enzymes from the liver cells or excess production of these enzymes by the liver due to damage. This is why SGPT and SGOT levels are also indicators of the liver’s health. High SGPT and SGOT in pregnancy can be life-threatening for the mother and the foetus.
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Rise of SGPT SGOT During Pregnancy
So, the rise in SGPT and SGOT may not be directly linked to pregnancy but may indicate a liver disease caused due to pregnancy or pre-existing disease that flared during the pregnancy (these diseases are discussed in detail below).
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What Are the Normal Levels of SGPT and SGOT?
Slightly increased levels of SGPT and SGOT are usually considered normal during pregnancy, but if these levels are high, they may indicate a liver disease which can be dangerous for both the mother and the foetus.
Side effects of high SGOT and SGPT during pregnancy depend on the type and severity of liver disease in the patient.
Here are some of the liver diseases that may occur or worsen during pregnancy:
Acute Fatty Liver of Pregnancy (AFLP)
It is a rare complication of pregnancy that occurs in less than 0.1 % of pregnant women. AFLP occurs due to a deficiency in the enzyme (3-hydroxy acyl-CoA dehydrogenase) that helps break down the long chains of fatty acid.Symptoms
The symptoms of AFLP are usually observed during the third trimester. However, the symptoms can vary in different individuals. They may include:-
- A feeling of fullness in the upper right side of the belly
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea and loss of appetite
- Jaundice
- Weight loss
- Fatigue and weakness
Fatty liver can harm both the mother and the foetus during the pregnancy. If left untreated, it can lead to the following complications:
- Bleeding tendency
- Intrauterine death
- Delayed foetal growth
- Premature delivery
- Increased risk of patient mortality
Chronic Liver Damage (Cirrhosis)
Cirrhosis may be present before pregnancy and may worsen during the pregnancy. If someone is already suffering from liver cirrhosis, doctors usually advise not to continue with the pregnancy as it increases the risk of:- Intrauterine death
- Patient’s mortality
- Variceal bleeding (swelling and bleeding in the veins present on the lining of the oesophagus) during the second or third trimester.
- Swelling in the abdomen
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Weight loss
- Easy bruising
- Jaundice
- Itching on the skin
- Confusion or memory loss
- Blood in stool
- Swelling in the legs, feets, and ankles
Viral Hepatitis E
Viral hepatitis E (HEV) is found to be more common in the underdeveloped and developing countries of Asia and Africa. It is transmitted through the faecal-oral route. In 50% of cases, the infected mother passes on HEV to her newborn child. It can be prevented by washing hands responsibly.Hepatitis A, B, and C usually don’t involve any risks during pregnancy and can be easily managed in most cases. But Hepatitis E can harm both the mother and foetus, especially during the second and third trimesters.
Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of viral hepatitis E resemble those noticed in other types of acute hepatitis infections and liver injury. These may include:
- Mild fever
- Loss of appetite
- Jaundice (dark urine and pale stool)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Enlarged and tender liver
Viral hepatitis E can get severe in rare cases resulting in life-threatening conditions. Women who are in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy are more exposed to the risk of the following complications:
- Acute liver failure
- Loss of foetus
- Premature delivery
- Patient’s mortality
- Autoimmune Hepatitis
Symptoms
- Nausea and vomiting
- Jaundice
- Fatigue
- Itching
- Rashes
- Joint pain
- Risks and Complications
- Premature delivery
- Low-birth-weight infants
- Loss of foetus
- Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy
- Preeclampsia and Eclampsia
- HELLP (haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet count) syndrome
- Hyperemesis Gravidarum
How to Bring Back SGPT and SGOT levels to normal?
Simple Ways to Maintain Healthy SGOT and SGPT levels in Your Body
A lifestyle that includes smoking, excessive alcohol use, and lack of physical activities can lead to fat deposition in the liver, increasing the risk of liver diseases. Including a proper diet and incorporating healthy lifestyle changes in your daily routine can help prevent liver-related problems, thus, avoiding high SGOT and SGPT in pregnancy. Here are some simple tips to follow:
- Maintain Healthy Food Habits
Include a more organic and nutrient-rich diet in your routine, if you consciously make decisions about your diet plan, it can significantly decrease the risk of liver disease. - Tips for a healthy diet
- Eat food rich in vitamin D, including eggs, oranges, soy milk, tofu, dairy products, liver oil, mushrooms, etc.
- Colourful and leafy vegetables, such as cabbage, broccoli, carrot, spinach, and potatoes, have high antioxidants, so incorporate more of them into your diet.
- Reduce the intake of oily, deep fried, processed, and junk food. Aerated drinks are also not good for liver health.
- Only take those medications that the doctor prescribes. Don’t self-medicate. Medicines contain chemicals that can be harmful to the liver and the foetus.
- Changes in Lifestyle
The following lifestyle changes can also help in enhancing liver health:- Avoid the use of alcoholic beverages.
- Smoking is bad for overall health. Passive smoking should also be avoided.
- Include physical exercises like jogging, brisk walking, cycling, swimming, etc. in your daily routine which can help prevent obesity, therefore reducing the risk of liver diseases.
- Avoid exposure to harmful chemicals using gloves, masks, and other protective devices.
- Regular Health Checkups
- High SGOT and SGPT in pregnancy can be used as indicators of liver health. But liver diseases often don’t show any symptoms until they progress to a chronic stage. This is why going for regular health checkups is important to diagnose the damage at an early stage so that it can be managed in time. An SGOT test is one such test carried out to get the liver profile of the patient.
- High SGOT and SGPT in pregnancy can be used as indicators of liver health. But liver diseases often don’t show any symptoms until they progress to a chronic stage. This is why going for regular health checkups is important to diagnose the damage at an early stage so that it can be managed in time. An SGOT test is one such test carried out to get the liver profile of the patient.
So, along with taking care of your diet and including physical activities in your routine, you should also consider full body checkups at regular time intervals to prevent serious liver damage and avoid high treatment costs. Choosing a trusted healthcare organisation is also necessary to get accurate and reliable test results.
The expert team at Hexa Health can help you find the best health care organisation around you for a medical checkup.
In case you want to ask any doubts about the side effects of high SGOT and SGPT levels during pregnancy, feel free to contact our Hexa Health experts for further knowledge. They will also guide you to reduce your SGOT and SGPT levels effectively.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the function of SGOT?
What is the function of SGPT?
What happens if SGPT and SGOT are high in pregnancy?
What causes high SGPT in pregnancy?
What is the normal range of SGPT and SGOT in pregnancy?
What are the elevated levels of SGOT and SGPT?
How can I reduce SGOT and SGPT in pregnancy?
- Consuming a diet rich in vitamin D, such as oranges, eggs, and dairy products
- Including leafy and colourful vegetables in the daily diet as they have high antioxidants.
- Avoid high amounts of salt and sodium-rich food.
- Do regular exercises to maintain the overall health of the body.
What are the symptoms of high SGPT?
- Nausea and vomiting
- Jaundice
- Easy bruising
- Problem in breathing
- Weakness and fatigue
- Excessive bleeding
- Swelling in the leg area
What are the simple home remedies to lower your SGPT and SGOT levels in the blood?
- Regular exercises, such as swimming, brisk walking and jogging can help prevent obesity.
- Avoiding smoking (even passive smoking) and use of alcohol that may cause harm to the liver.
- Avoiding junk food
- Staying away from harmful chemicals
Will the levels come back to normal after delivery?
Updated on : 10 August 2023
Reviewer
A specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology with a rich experience of over 21 years is currently working in HealthFort Clinic. She has expertise in Hymenoplasty, Vaginoplasty, Vaginal Tightening, Labiaplasty, MTP (Medical Termination...View More
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HexaHealth Care Team
HexaHealth Care Team brings you medical content covering many important conditions, procedures falling under different medical specialities. The content published is thoroughly reviewed by our panel of qualified doctors for its accuracy and relevance.
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