Elevated transaminases during pregnancy

It is quite common to have elevated transaminase levels during pregnancy. There are many reasons for elevated transaminase levels during pregnancy, and it is not necessarily a disease. It may be due to physiological factors, excessive medication, excessive fatigue, pregnancy complications, and some liver problems. Most elevated transaminase levels are normal, and pathological factors may also be involved, so you need to go to the hospital for diagnosis and examination.

Elevated transaminases are common during pregnancy

It is not uncommon for pregnant women to have elevated transaminase levels. Common causes include: physiological factors, medication during pregnancy, overwork, and pregnancy complications, especially liver disease.

The most common of these is elevated transaminase levels found during routine prenatal checkups after pregnancy in the absence of viral infection, liver disease, or pregnancy complications.

Most transaminase elevations are normal

After pregnancy, the levels of estrogen, progesterone and other hormones in the body increase significantly. These hormones ultimately need to be metabolized in the liver, which puts a heavy workload on the expectant mother's liver. In response to these metabolic loads, some liver cells become damaged, leading to elevated transaminases. However, the liver function remains normal and other indicators will not change.

The increase in transaminase at this time is a temporary change. First, the level of transaminase will not be too high. The normal alanine aminotransferase level is 0-40IU/L, and most "gestational liver damage" during pregnancy is within 100IU/L. Second, there are usually no symptoms of discomfort, and no special treatment is required.

Elevated transaminase levels during pregnancy should be taken seriously, but there is no need to worry too much

Transaminase is only an indicator of impaired liver function, and it is not the most important indicator. It needs to be further observed.

First, the obstetrician will help you make a preliminary judgment based on your gestational age, symptoms and signs, and laboratory tests to determine whether your elevated transaminase levels are caused by pregnancy-specific complications such as hyperemesis gravidarum, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, HELLP syndrome, or by drugs, hepatitis and other liver diseases, or other internal and external complications.

If the absolute value of the transaminase is relatively high or the level rises rapidly, referral to a gastroenterologist (liver specialist) is necessary for further diagnosis and treatment.

If other clinical symptoms and laboratory changes occur, such as obvious fatigue, jaundice, changes in coagulation function, etc., it is necessary to pay close attention.