What Are Liver Enzymes?
Liver Enzymes are made by cells throughout the body but are found in highest concentrations in liver cells. These enzymes are found inside liver cells, so when the concentration is elevated in the blood, usually indicates liver cells (hepatocytes) are inflamed, damaged for dying. Below is a list of the four common liver enzymes that are routinely tested on an annual basis or monitored due to certain medications, such as Statin drugs and acetaminophen.
Liver Enzymes:
Liver Enzyme Reference Range: (Quest Diagnostics)
|
Liver Enzyme Test |
Male | Female |
|
AST |
10 – 40 U/L | 10 – 35 U/L |
|
ALT |
9 – 46 U/L |
6 – 29 U/L |
| ALP | 40 – 115 U/L |
33 – 130 U/L |
|
GGT |
3 – 95 U/L |
3 – 70 U/L |
Something we have consistently observed with our patients over the past ten years is slightly elevated liver enzymes. Specifically, a slight elevation to AST and ALT.
For example, on a routine Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP), a woman will have an AST level of 54 U/L and an ALT level of 47 U/L. Both enzymes are slightly outside the normal range, but this often gets blown off by the primary care physician because the liver enzyme levels are not high enough to indicate major a concern. However, if the enzymes levels were in the hundreds, then the doctor would do some follow-up testing for some liver disease like Hepatitis.
Slightly elevated liver enzymes is an indication of having a fatty liver. Most people do not even know they have a fatty liver. And it is found incidentally on an ultrasound. A typical scenario is having a gallbladder attack. You wake up in the middle of the night with terrible stomach pain, radiating to the right side or even the right scapula. Many people have ended up in the emergency room in the middle of the night for a gallbladder attack. In the emergency room, an ultrasound of the abdomen is done. The doctor will tell you that you have gallstones and schedule you for surgery. Then in passing they will remark that you have a fatty liver and that is the last you will hear of that.
Conventional Approach:
If your liver enzymes are slightly elevated, your doctor will most likely not even address it. Below is a list of the conventional approaches that are taken when the liver enzymes are just outside the normal ranges.
If your liver enzymes are elevated, then you have, or you are on the way to having a fatty liver. When the liver enzymes are found elevated on blood work, most doctors will ask how much are you drinking and tell you to cut down. People with NAFLD have a fatty liver, but it is not due to alcohol intake. I have had many patients say their doctor will not believe they don’t drink. This is called Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, abbreviated as NAFLD (pronounced Na-Fold’).
One of the most significant contributors to fatty liver is high levels of insulin. Having a diet high in sugar will raise insulin. Insulin is supposed to tell the body to store fat in adipocytes (fat cells). When there is a lot of insulin, the liver will start storing the fat into the hepatocytes (liver cell). Over time the liver becomes fatty, and the liver enzymes will begin to rise.
The liver metabolizes fructose. Having a lot of high fructose corn syrup is especially hard on the liver. Because high fructose corn syrup will skyrocket insulin and the liver has to work extra hard at metabolizing it. NAFLD usually gets dismissed by doctors. I think that is because there is no medication for fatty liver. If there is not a medication for it, then most docs do not know how to treat it.
People often ask me:
One of the major consequences of fatty liver disease is liver cancer. That is a clear indication that fatty liver and slightly elevated liver enzymes should be addressed.
Other issues that occur with a fatty liver:
The liver is an extremely powerful organ. It has over 600 different functions such as detoxifying metabolites and making proteins important for our blood, role in hormone production, the list goes on. If the liver is burdened and not able to function efficiently, this can impact our quality of life and our health.
As mentioned above, there is no medication to take for a fatty liver disease. Because of this many conventional doctors do not treat fatty liver. And most people are dismissed to watch and wait. Fatty liver is very treatable. But it is a multifactorial process.
Treatment Approach for Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD):
The process takes time and effort. But the effort is worth it. By healing fatty liver, people reduce the risk of liver cancer and live healthier and more energetic lives. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below or send an email to [email protected].
The post What Does Slightly Elevated Liver Enzymes Mean? PYHP 041 appeared first on .
Discover the common and unfamiliar symptoms that you might be experiencing. Get access to cases of real women with hormonal conditions.
Hormone Coaching App: 👉 http://hormonenavigator.com/ Progress Your Hormones Community: 👉 https://www.progressyourhormones.com/ Menopausal women everywhere are asking the same question: “What’s the RIGHT starting dose for testosterone?” In this episode, hormone experts break down why testosterone dosing is NOT one-size-fits-all, and why starting too high could trigger acne, hair loss, anxiety, or even irreversible side effects. You’ll learn: The safest starting testosterone dose for menopausal women Why some women tolerate higher levels better than others The hidden connection between testosterone, DHT, acne, and hair shedding Why libido problems are more complicated than most people think The truth about pellets vs testosterone cream The side effects doctors watch for FIRST How testosterone impacts motivation, muscle mass, energy, and bone density If you’ve ever wondered whether testosterone therapy could help your menopause symptoms, this episode explains the risks, benefits, and biggest mistakes women make when starting HRT. 🔔 Subscribe for more episodes on bacterial vaginosis, hormones, menopause, heart health, thyroid, and longevity with Dr. Valorie & Dr. Maki. 👍 Like and share this video if it helped you 📩 Comment below with your top takeaway or question Disclaimer: Educational content only; not medical advice. Please discuss your labs and care plan with your clinician.
Hormone Coaching App: 👉 http://hormonenavigator.com/ Progress Your Hormones Community: 👉 https://www.progressyourhormones.com/ Are you taking the right HRT dose… or just the common one? In this episode, we break down a growing problem in hormone therapy: 👉 Younger women are overdosing 👉 Menopausal women are being underdosed And the real issue? Most practitioners treat different hormone types like they’re the same when they’re not. You’ll discover: Why estradiol patches vs creams are NOT equal The hidden mistake when switching HRT types Why “low dose” might actually be hurting you How absorption changes everything Why lab numbers alone don’t tell the full story The real difference between perimenopause vs menopause dosing This isn’t just about numbers; it’s about precision, personalization, and feeling like yourself again. 💡 If your labs are “normal” but you still feel off… this might explain why. 🔔 Subscribe for more episodes on bacterial vaginosis, hormones, menopause, heart health, thyroid, and longevity with Dr. Valorie & Dr. Maki. 👍 Like and share this video if it helped you 📩 Comment below with your top takeaway or question Disclaimer: Educational content only; not medical advice. Please discuss your labs and care plan with your clinician.
Hormone Coaching App: 👉 http://hormonenavigator.com/ Progress Your Hormones Community: 👉 https://www.progressyourhormones.com/ Think menopause ends when symptoms fade? Think again. In this episode, we break down “deep menopause,” a phase rarely discussed but critical for long-term health. While hot flashes and mood swings may disappear, deeper issues like bone loss, muscle decline, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular risk can quietly accelerate. Discover: Why feeling “fine” can be misleading The hidden risks after age 60 How hormone therapy should be approached differently The real reason muscle loss speeds up aging What most doctors overlook about long-term menopause care This is where prevention becomes reversal, and strategy matters more than ever. If you’re serious about longevity, energy, and protecting your future health, this is the conversation you can’t afford to miss. 🔔 Subscribe for more episodes on bacterial vaginosis, hormones, menopause, heart health, thyroid, and longevity with Dr. Valorie & Dr. Maki. 👍 Like and share this video if it helped you 📩 Comment below with your top takeaway or question Disclaimer: Educational content only; not medical advice. Please discuss your labs and care plan with your clinician.
Hormone Coaching App: 👉 http://hormonenavigator.com/ Progress Your Hormones Community: 👉 https://www.progressyourhormones.com/ Is it normal to feel worse years after menopause, even when your labs look fine? In this episode, doctors break down the hidden phase called middle menopause—the stage no one explains, where symptoms shift from hot flashes to something more confusing and frustrating. You’ll learn why: Your cholesterol suddenly increases (without changing your diet) You feel more tired, inflamed, or even pre-diabetic Weight gain seems uncontrollable Intimacy becomes painful Your body no longer feels like your own This isn’t just “aging.” It’s a hormonal recalibration phase that most doctors overlook. Discover the real reason behind: Rising LDL cholesterol Insulin resistance & blood sugar spikes Vaginal dryness and urinary symptoms Increased stress sensitivity despite a “better” life Plus, learn how lifestyle, hormones, and modern tools like personalized hormone tracking can help you take back control. 👉 If you’ve ever thought: “Why do I feel worse now than before?” — this episode is for you. 🔔 Subscribe for more episodes on bacterial vaginosis, hormones, menopause, heart health, thyroid, and longevity with Dr. Valorie & Dr. Maki. 👍 Like and share this video if it helped you 📩 Comment below with your top takeaway or question Disclaimer: Educational content only; not medical advice. Please discuss your labs and care plan with your clinician.
Hormone Coaching App: 👉 http://hormonenavigator.com/ Progress Your Hormones Community: 👉 https://www.progressyourhormones.com/ Are you experiencing symptoms of menopause, but not quite there yet? There’s a confusing phase most women go through that isn’t clearly defined: the transition between late perimenopause and full menopause. This stage is often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or completely overlooked. What you’ll learn: The REAL difference between perimenopause, “in-between,” and entering menopause Why your estrogen levels suddenly feel like they’ve “left the building” The surprising symptoms no one warns you about (brain fog, night sweats, mood shifts) How your body tries to rebalance itself and why it feels chaotic What your lab results (FSH, estradiol) actually mean during this phase If you’ve ever felt like your body changed overnight or your symptoms don’t match what you’ve been told, this is the clarity you’ve been missing. 👉 Plus: Learn how to track your symptoms and understand your hormonal phase with precision. 🔔 Subscribe for more episodes on bacterial vaginosis, hormones, menopause, heart health, thyroid, and longevity with Dr. Valorie & Dr. Maki. 👍 Like and share this video if it helped you 📩 Comment below with your top takeaway or question Disclaimer: Educational content only; not medical advice. Please discuss your labs and care plan with your clinician.
Hormone Coaching App: 👉 http://hormonenavigator.com/ Progress Your Hormones Community: 👉 https://www.progressyourhormones.com/ You’ve been told your labs are “normal”… but you still feel exhausted, moody, gaining weight, and not like yourself. So what’s really going on? In this episode, we break down one of the biggest misconceptions in women’s health: why “normal” lab results don’t always mean optimal health, especially during perimenopause and menopause. Discover why symptoms like brain fog, poor sleep, weight gain, and mood swings are often ignored… and how traditional lab testing can miss the full picture. We also reveal how tracking patterns over time and combining symptoms with deeper hormone insights can unlock real answers and personalized solutions. If you’ve ever felt dismissed, confused, or stuck… this conversation will change how you look at your health forever. What you’ll learn: ● why normal blood tests don’t show hormone imbalance ● How to read hormone labs in perimenopause ● early signs of perimenopause in your late 30s ● What hormones to test for women over 40 ● why you feel bad even with normal lab results ● How to track hormone changes over time ● best lab tests for female hormone health ● The difference between normal vs optimal lab ranges ● How hormones affect sleep mood and weight ● How to create a personalized hormone health plan 🔔 Subscribe for more episodes on bacterial vaginosis, hormones, menopause, heart health, thyroid, and longevity with Dr. Valorie & Dr. Maki. 👍 Like and share this video if it helped you 📩 Comment below with your top takeaway or question Disclaimer: Educational content only; not medical advice. Please discuss your labs and care plan with your clinician.
