What is the role of elevated liver enzymes in Hepatitis?

Elevated liver enzymes serve as an important biomarker for liver damage, particularly in conditions like hepatitis. In hepatitis, the liver becomes inflamed, leading to cell injury and, consequently, the release of liver enzymes into the bloodstream. The most commonly measured enzymes in this context are alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). When levels of these enzymes rise above normal ranges, it signals that the liver cells are compromised, indicating active liver inflammation or injury. Therefore, elevated liver enzymes are a crucial part of diagnosing and monitoring the severity of liver conditions, making it clear that they reflect liver damage rather than dehydration, improvement in liver function, or a reduced risk of chronic illness.