Treatment for High SGOT and SGPT Levels: All you need to Know?

Understanding the Importance of Treatment for high SGOT and SGPT

The liver is one of the most important organs in the human body and plays a vital role in maintaining overall health and well-being. It performs a wide range of functions from detoxifying harmful substances to producing important proteins. To better understand liver health, it is important to know about two important enzymes: SGOT (serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase) and SGPT (serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase), also known as AST (aspartate aminotransferase) or ALT (alanine aminotransferase). In this blog we will learn more about the Treatment for high SGOT and SGPT Levels in detail.

Important Roles of the Liver

The liver is located in the upper right abdomen, just below the diaphragm. The liver is responsible for many important processes, including: Detoxification: The liver filters and removes toxins, such as alcohol, drugs, and metabolic waste products, from the blood.

• Metabolism: Metabolizes carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, converting them into energy and important molecules.
• Protein synthesis: The liver produces important proteins such as albumin and clotting factors, which are necessary for blood clotting and fluid balance. 
• Storage: Stores vitamins and minerals such as iron, copper, and the fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E,  K) for later use.
• Bile production: The liver produces bile, which helps digest and absorb fats in the small intestine.
• Immune function: Regulates the immune response and helps fight infection. Given these important functions, maintaining liver health is essential for overall health

What does high SGOT and SGPT indicate?

SGOT (AST) and SGPT (ALT) are enzymes found in the liver and other tissues that play a key role in amino acid metabolism. 

• SGOT (AST): AST is found in the liver, heart, muscles, kidneys and brain. It helps convert aspartate and alpha-ketoglutarate to oxaloacetate and glutamate. Elevated levels of AST in the blood may indicate liver damage. However, it  also occurs in other tissues, so it may also indicate problems in other parts of the body.
• SGPT (ALT): ALT is found primarily  in the liver and is important in the conversion of alanine and alpha-ketoglutarate to pyruvate and glutamate. Elevated ALT levels  are more specific for liver damage and are a more accurate indicator of liver health compared to AST.

Why is monitoring SGOT and SGPT levels important?

• Early detection of liver disease: Regular monitoring of SGOT and SGPT levels helps in early detection of liver diseases such as hepatitis, fatty liver, and cirrhosis, allowing  timely intervention and treatment.
• Assessment of Liver Function: These enzymes provide valuable information about the  functional state of the liver and help healthcare professionals determine the severity of liver damage and monitor the effectiveness of treatment.
• Drug Management: Certain drugs can cause liver damage. Monitoring SGOT and SGPT levels allows us to assess the effect of these agents on the liver and adjust  or discontinue dosage if necessary.
• General Health Indicators: Elevated liver enzymes may also indicate other health issues, such as heart problems or muscle damage, providing a more complete picture of a patient’s overall health.

Understanding High SGOT and SGPT Levels

The liver is a very important organ that keeps our body healthy. It filters toxins, supports digestion, and performs many other important functions. Two important enzymes that help  understand the health of your liver  are SGOT (AST) and SGPT (ALT). High levels of these enzymes can indicate liver problems. Let’s analyze what these enzymes are, what their normal levels should be, and what causes their elevated levels.

What are SGOT and SGPT?

• SGOT (AST): This enzyme is found in the liver, heart, muscles, and other tissues. It helps metabolize amino acids.
• Normal Range: SGOT levels in the blood should be  5 to 40 units per liter (U/L).
• SGPT (ALT): SGPT is found primarily in the liver and is responsible for converting alanine (an amino acid) into pyruvate, which is important for energy production.
• Normal range: SGPT levels in the blood should be between 7 and 56 units per liter (U/L).

Causes of high SGOT and SGPT levels

There are many different causes for high SGOT and SGPT levels: 

Liver disease

• Hepatitis: This is inflammation of the liver and is often caused by a viral infection such as Hepatitis A, B or C. It can also be due to an autoimmune disease. The inflammation damages the liver cells, which releases these enzymes into the blood.
• Cirrhosis: This is severe liver damage caused by long-term problems such as chronic hepatitis or excessive alcohol consumption. It causes scarring in the liver, leading to elevated enzyme levels.
• Alcohol Intake: Too much alcohol can damage liver cells and lead to elevated SGOT and SGPT levels. Diseases range from fatty liver disease (simple fat buildup) to alcoholic hepatitis to cirrhosis.
• Medicines and Drugs: Some medicines and drugs can be toxic to the liver and increase enzyme levels. Common examples include over-the-counter painkillers such as acetaminophen, prescription drugs such as statins, and illegal drugs.
• Fatty Liver Disease: Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): This is a buildup of fat  in the liver that is not caused by alcohol.
• Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (AFLD): Similar to NAFLD, but caused by excessive alcohol consumption. Both can damage liver cells and elevated enzyme levels.

Other Causes

• Heart Problems: This enzyme is also present in the heart, so conditions like heart attack and heart failure can cause elevated SGOT levels.
• Muscle injury: Severe muscle injury and diseases such as muscular dystrophy can increase SGOT levels due to the release of the enzyme  from damaged muscle cells.
• Infection and inflammation: Other infections and inflammation in the liver can also increase levels of this enzyme.

Diagnosing and Understanding High SGOT and SGPT Levels

If your doctor finds high levels of SGOT (AST) and SGPT (ALT) in your blood, this is an indication that you may have a problem with your liver. Here’s how you know what’s going on and why it’s important.

How does your doctor check your SGOT and SGPT levels?

A small amount of blood is taken from your arm to check your SGOT and SGPT levels. This test shows if your liver is releasing too many of these enzymes. This could indicate liver damage.

Imaging

• Ultrasound: Sound waves are used to create pictures of the liver which can show if there are  problems such as tumors or fatty liver disease.
• CT Scan: A detailed scan that gives a more accurate picture of the liver, helping doctors detect damage.
• MRI: A magnet is used to create detailed images of the liver, helping to detect even small changes.
• Liver Biopsy: This involves removing a small piece of  liver tissue to examine under a microscope. This test helps doctors identify the exact cause of your liver problems (such as hepatitis or cirrhosis)

Why is it important to find the cause of Appropriate Treatment?

If your doctor knows the cause of your high SGOT and SGPT levels, they can choose the best treatment. Different liver problems require different treatments. Identifying a problem early can help prevent things from getting worse.  After identifying the cause, your doctor can track how well the treatment for high SGOT and SGPT is working. Regular checkups will make sure your liver is recovering and that new problems aren’t developing.

Understanding Liver Disease Treatment

When looking for treatment for high SGOT and SGPT, doctors use a variety of medications and procedures to  improve liver health.

• Medications for Specific Liver Diseases Antiviral Medications for Hepatitis: These medications fight viruses like Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C that can damage the liver. They reduce the amount of virus in the liver, helping the liver heal and function better. In many cases, it successfully controls the infection and protects the liver from further damage.
• Corticosteroids for Autoimmune Hepatitis: These drugs calm  the immune system that mistakenly attacks the liver in autoimmune hepatitis. Reducing inflammation in the liver can prevent it from getting worse. They are very effective in controlling symptoms and preventing the immune system from damaging the liver.
• Cholesterol-Lowering Medications for Fatty Liver Disease: These drugs  lower blood cholesterol levels  and reduce the buildup of fat in the liver. Reducing the buildup of fat  in the liver can improve liver function and health.
• Procedures and Surgery Liver Transplant for Severe Liver Injury: When the liver is severely damaged and cannot recover, a new liver from a donor takes the place of the damaged one. Surgeons remove the diseased liver and replace it with a healthy liver from the deceased donor who  donated the organ. Liver transplants can give patients who have failed other treatments a chance to live longer and healthier.
• Endoscopic Procedures for Bile Duct Problems: Problems such as blocked bile ducts can damage the liver. Endoscopic procedures can help find and fix these problems. Doctors use special tools to see inside the bile duct and can remove blockages or insert small tubes (stents) to keep the bile duct open. These procedures are less invasive than surgery and can often correct problems in the bile duct  without major surgery.

Sum up,

Understanding the importance of SGOT and SGPT enzymes in assessing liver function may aid in the early detection and effective treatment of liver-related problems. Regular checkups and blood tests are essential to maintaining liver health, and therefore overall health. If you experience symptoms such as fatigue, jaundice, or abdominal pain, be sure to see a doctor. And have your liver enzyme levels tested. Prioritizing your liver health will lead to a healthier, more energetic life.