The cause of high liver enzymes for pregnant women
The changes that occur to a woman during pregnancy are endless, some of which do not cause concern, and some that must be paid attention to, as it may be an indication of something that must be examined. Get to know in this article The cause of high liver enzymes for pregnant women And how to prevent it and many other information, so follow us.
liver function in the body
The liver is considered the largest organ among the organs of the body, as it weighs between 1.4 and 1.6 kilograms. It is also considered the largest endocrine gland in the human body. It manufactures and secretes chemicals in the blood, so that these substances have different effects on the organs of the body. The liver plays an important role in the process of digestion and absorption of fats, in addition to its role in processing the blood coming from the intestines, and it also has a role in helping to transport fats through the body. The liver also rids the body and blood of toxins and harmful substances.
The cause of high liver enzymes for pregnant women
Pregnancy usually has little effect on liver function tests, including most levels of liver enzymes. Therefore, when liver enzymes are elevated during pregnancy, it usually indicates a liver disorder. Some reports indicate that liver disease accounts for 3% of pregnancies. There are many liver disorders associated with pregnancy and elevated liver enzymes such as hyperemesis gravidarum, intrahepatic cholestasis, acute fatty liver during pregnancy and elevated liver enzymes, which we will present as follows:
Hyperemesis gravidarum
Hyperemesis gravidarum is a feeling of nausea or vomiting that may occur frequently in pregnancy, which usually occurs between the fourth and tenth week of pregnancy and resolves by the twentieth week, and can lead to dehydration and weight loss. Reports indicate that 1 in 200 pregnant women suffer from hyperemesis gravidarum and 50% of these numbers are found to have elevated liver enzymes.
Intrahepatic cholestasis
It is a disorder that results in poor secretion of bile acids in the liver, which causes elevated liver enzymes. It also causes some itching, especially in the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. It usually occurs in the second half of pregnancy and goes away after childbirth.
Acute fatty liver
One of the reasons for high liver enzymes is also, which is rare, but it occurs when fat accumulates in the liver.
Hepatitis
Hepatitis also leads to elevated liver enzymes during pregnancy. These diseases affect everyone, but they are more severe for pregnant women.
Eclampsia
Speaking of the cause of high liver enzymes for pregnant women, one of the most important reasons for high liver enzymes during pregnancy is the occurrence of preeclampsia, and its symptoms include high blood pressure and swelling with the presence of protein in the urine.
Gallbladder and elevated liver enzymes in pregnancy
Hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy may affect the function of the gallbladder inside the body, which increases the risk of developing gallstones, and the symptoms are similar between pregnant and non-pregnant women in this case, and may include abdominal pain on the right side, nausea, vomiting, and fever, as the gallbladder dysfunction leads to Elevated liver enzymes during pregnancy.
How to prevent elevated liver enzymes during pregnancy
After we talked about the reason for the rise in liver enzymes for pregnant women, we must talk about how to prevent the occurrence of this rise:
- You should stay away from processed foods and rely on fresh foods free of any preservatives.
- Do not take any medications during pregnancy without consulting your doctor.
- Exposure to chemical cleaners that are used to clean the house should be avoided.
- Reduce exposure to cigarette smoke or paint.
At the end of this article, after you got to know me The cause of high liver enzymes for pregnant women And how to prevent this, you should consult a doctor in the event of any strange symptoms appearing during your pregnancy.