6 Most Common Symptoms of High SGPT in Blood

Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), also known as alanine transaminase (ALT), is an enzyme primarily found in liver cells. It plays a crucial role in various liver functions and is commonly measured in blood tests to assess liver health. 

SGPT levels are a valuable indicator of liver damage or dysfunction, allowing healthcare providers to evaluate the liver's overall condition.

The normal range of SGPT levels in the blood can vary slightly depending on the laboratory and testing methods used. However, generally accepted reference ranges for SGPT in adults are around 0 to 33 units per litre (U/L) for males and 0 and 25 U/L  for females. 

When liver cells are damaged or inflamed, SGPT is released into the bloodstream, leading to elevated levels. Recognizing the symptoms of high SGPT is crucial for early detection and timely intervention.

Symptoms of high SGPT levels in the blood are not specific to SGPT elevation alone, as they can vary depending on the underlying cause. Elevated levels may indicate liver damage or dysfunction

However, it's important to note that high SGPT levels do not always present noticeable symptoms and may only be detected through blood tests. Here are some potential symptoms that may be associated with high SGPT levels:

1. Weakness and Fatigue: Feeling unusually tired or lacking energy can be a symptom of high SGPT levels, which significantly lowers the quality of life. Liver damage or dysfunction can affect the body's ability to metabolize nutrients and toxins, leading to fatigue.

2. Nausea and Vomiting: Elevated SGPT levels can sometimes cause digestive disturbances, including nausea and vomiting. These symptoms may be more pronounced after eating fatty or greasy foods.

3. Abdominal Pain: Notably, pain from liver cirrhosis usually starts in the upper right abdomen or under the lower right ribs. This can range from mild to severe and may be accompanied by bloating or a feeling of fullness.

4. Jaundice: As liver function deteriorates and waste can no longer be removed from the body effectively, the bile pigment known as bilirubin can accumulate in the bloodstream resulting in jaundice, a condition characterized by yellowing of the skin and eyes. 

5. Excessive Bleeding and Bruising: You may bleed and bruise more readily if your liver is damaged because it generates fewer of the proteins required for blood coagulation.

6. Dark urine and Pale Stools: Liver dysfunction can affect the production and excretion of bile, leading to changes in urine and stool color. Dark urine and pale or clay-colored stools may be observed.

Elevated levels of SGPT in the blood can indicate liver damage or injury. Several factors can contribute to high SGPT levels. Here are some common elevated SGPT causes:

Liver-related Causes of High SGPT

Here are some common liver-related causes of high SGPT levels:

1. Hepatitis: An ALT blood test is often done as part of a group of liver function tests. Viral infections are frequent causes of hepatitis. While hepatitis A and E cause acute viral hepatitis, viral hepatitis B, C, and D can result in chronic hepatitis.
   Hepatitis can also be brought on by a number of different viruses, such as HIV, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and cytomegalovirus (CMV).

2. Hepatic Steatosis: The next stage of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) develops as a result of hepatic inflammation. Here, hepatic steatosis brought on by NAFLD has a typical biochemical pattern where SGPT levels are higher than aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels. 

3. Ischemic Hepatitis: Acute viral hepatitis and ischemic hepatitis have many of the same clinical characteristics. Although prothrombin time, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase are only slightly abnormal, AST, SGPT, and LDH are significantly high.

4. Fatty Liver Disease: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alcoholic liver disease (ALD) are conditions characterized by the accumulation of fat in the liver. These conditions can lead to liver inflammation and injury, resulting in increased SGPT levels.

5. Drug-induced liver injury: Certain medications, including some antibiotics, anti-seizure drugs, and cholesterol-lowering drugs, can cause liver damage and elevated SGPT levels in some individuals. It's essential to use medications as directed and be aware of any potential liver-related side effects.

6. Liver Cancer: Malignant tumours in the liver can also lead to elevated SGPT levels. Liver cancer disrupts normal liver function and can cause SGPT to leak into the bloodstream.

Non-Liver Causes of High SGPT

Here are some common non-liver-related causes of high SGPT levels:

1. Medications: Patients who were on salicylates in addition to methotrexate (MTX) and those on hydroxychloroquine usually had the most elevated SGPT values. Combining MTX and salicylates medications led to significantly higher cases of abnormal liver enzyme values. 

2. Thyroid Disorders: According to a recently released comprehensive study and meta-analysis by Scappaticcio et al., between 55% and 60% of patients with undiagnosed hyperthyroidism had at least one abnormal liver function test result. 

1. Amongst the hyperthyroid patients, the prevalence of abnormal liver function test results for SGPT, aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (BIL), and glutamyltransferase (GGT) was 33%, 23%, 44%, 12%, and 24%, respectively.

3. Muscle Damage: SGPT is not only found in the liver but also in other tissues, particularly in muscle cells. Therefore, conditions that cause muscle damage, such as intense physical exercise, muscle trauma or injury, and certain muscle diseases, can result in elevated SGPT levels.

4. Kidney Disease: Impaired kidney function can contribute to high SGPT levels. The kidneys are crucial in filtering waste products from the blood, including SGPT. When the kidneys are not functioning properly, SGPT levels can rise. 

1. Conditions such as chronic kidney disease, kidney infections, and kidney damage can be associated with elevated SGPT levels.

Lifestyle factors can have a significant impact on SGPT levels in the blood. Some lifestyle factors can affect SGPT levels:

1. Alcohol Consumption: It is extremely predictive of patients with cirrhosis and alcoholic hepatitis to have an SGPT ratio of 2 or higher. However, only 26% of patients with postnecrotic cirrhosis, 8% of patients with chronic hepatitis, and 4% of patients with viral hepatitis experience it.

2. Unhealthy diet: The damage to the liver and increased SGPT levels can be attributed to a diet high in processed foods, saturated fats, and refined sugars.

3. Obesity: Increased SGPT levels are linked to a condition known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is brought on by too much body fat, especially in the area around the belly. 

4. Smoking: Smoking harms the liver and the lungs by increasing inflammation and oxidative stress. Thus having negative impacts on the liver's health and raising SGPT levels. 

5. Stress: Chronic stress and excessive emotional strain can impact liver health and contribute to elevated SGPT levels. Finding healthy coping mechanisms for stress, such as exercise, meditation, and relaxation techniques, can help support liver function.

Speaking with a healthcare professional is crucial to identify the underlying cause of high SGPT levels and receive proper care. Regular liver enzyme testing can also help early detection of liver diseases and mitigate long-term harm. 

Further, these are some of the lifestyle changes that need to be followed to maintain healthy SGPT levels:

1. Increase the Consumption of Vitamin D: Increased vitamin D consumption lowers SGPT levels and aids in protecting the liver from harm. Excellent sources of vitamin D include soy milk, apples, oranges, mushrooms, tofu, eggs, fortified cereals, oysters, cod liver oil, dairy items, and green leafy vegetables.

2. Consume a Balanced Diet: Plant-based and organic diets are ideal for your liver's health. Limit your intake of salty and high-sodium foods.

3. Have Fruits and Vegetables Rich in Antioxidants: The liver benefits from foods high in antioxidants, such as spinach, carrots, pomegranates, papayas, kiwis, and bell peppers.

4. Avoid Eating Fried and Junk Food: Avoid consuming junk food like pizza, burgers, and deep-fried items. Avoid excessive quantities of pork, chicken, cheese, bacon, or butter. 

5. Consume Alcohol in Moderation and Quit Smoking: Alcohol is the most harmful substance for the liver. If your report suggests that “SGPT high in liver function test,” then overindulging in alcohol can harm the liver and create toxins, which increases the level of SGPT.
   Additionally, give up smoking because it can harm the liver.

6. Exercise Regularly: Exercising is crucial for keeping the liver healthy. Also, it boosts energy levels while lessening the strain on the liver.
   Besides, obesity, one of the risk factors for liver problems, can be avoided by exercising regularly.

7. Go for Routine Medical Examinations: Attend routine medical exams because liver impairment may not usually have symptoms.
   Don't let symptoms develop for too long. Routine preventive screening is one way to determine whether the liver is working well. 

Consult your doctor straight away if you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above. If the reports reveal elevated SGPT levels, then this may be a sign of diseases such as hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and inflammation.

Therefore, you should immediately seek medical attention by consulting a doctor or other health care provider. The more healthy tissue you can save and the more likely your liver will be to regenerate, the sooner you can stop the course of liver disease.

SGPT or ALT is a vital liver enzyme that maintains healthy liver function. And SGPT blood tests help to assess the condition of your liver. It is important to consult a doctor if you experience any of the symptoms of high SGPT levels.

If you need any assistance with the diagnosis and treatment of liver issues, then you can contact the experts at HexaHealth. They will answer all your queries and help you find the right medical experts.

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