Prolonged elevated liver enzymes indicate a persistent and potentially serious underlying liver problem, which can cause a wide range of health issues. Common signs and symptoms of poor liver function include jaundice, poor exercise tolerance, ascites, fatigue, itchy feet, swelling in the legs, ankles, and abdomen, and dark urine and pale stools. Cirrhosis of the liver is a late stage liver disease where healthy liver tissue has been gradually replaced with scar tissue due to long-term exposure to medications.
Signs of liver disease may be subtle or nonexistent, such as swelling in the legs and ankles, nausea or vomiting, and excess bleeding from poor blood clotting. Elevated transaminase enzymes may also be present without symptoms, especially in severe cases. Liver disease doesn’t always cause visible or felt symptoms, but if there are symptoms, they may include yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, called jaundice.
As the liver becomes more severely damaged, more obvious and serious symptoms can develop, such as yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice), swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet caused by a build-up of fluid (oedema). Peripheral edema can occur in people with cirrhosis, especially after sitting or standing for a long time. In severe fatty liver disease cases, edema may also affect the feet.
Liver dysfunction can lead to swollen legs, ascites, dark urine, pale-colored stools, and frequent frequent urination. Swollen legs can be a sign of advanced liver disease, but they can also occur in earlier stages depending on the underlying cause and individual factors. Fluid retention can also cause swelling in the legs and abdomen (edema), ascites, dark urine, pale-colored stools, or very dark/black tarry stools.
| Article | Description | Site |
|---|---|---|
| Leg Swelling and Mildly Deranged Liver Tests: An Unusual … | By G Syal. Cited 1 time.Title: Leg Swelling and Mildly Deranged Liver Tests: An Unusual Presentation of a Common Diagnosis: Gastroenterology. | www.gastrojournal.org |
| Don’t ignore fatty liver disease. Swollen feet, excessive … | If fatty liver disease is not addressed over an extended period of time, individuals may experience symptoms such as edema in both feet, ascites (fluid accumulation in the abdomen), and hepatomegaly (enlargement of the liver). | m.economictimes.com |
| Is My Liver Abnormal? | The swelling of the legs is often initiated in the feet and subsequently affects a greater proportion of the legs as the function of the liver deteriorates, resulting in the accumulation of fluid. | www.mountelizabeth.com.sg |
📹 Your Feet Can Tell You About Your Liver’s Health | Here are 5 Tips to Check Signs of Liver Problems
The changes in the appearance of your feet could be warning signs from your liver. Check them out to make sure whether your …
Can elevated liver enzymes cause leg swelling?
Signs and symptoms of liver failure. Despite the liver’s importance, patients with liver disease often do not have signs or symptoms. This is because the liver has excess functional capacity. Signs and symptoms of impaired liver function will manifest only when the liver function is reduced by more than half. These may include:
- Jaundice (yellowing of the whites of the eyes and skin)
- Abdominal and leg swelling
- Drowsiness
- Easy bruising
- Abdominal discomfort
- Nausea
- Disorientation
Liver function blood tests. Very often, one discovers that the liver is not quite normal when abnormalities in the liver tests are found. While abnormalities in these tests usually mean that something is happening in the liver, none of these tests are specific for the liver and diseases outside the liver may cause changes in these tests.
Consult a gastroenterology specialist and get the appropriate tests done to understand better what is going on in your liver.
What are the four warning signs of a dying liver?
Symptoms of acute liver failure may include:Yellowing of the skin and eyeballs, called jaundice. Pain in the upper right belly area, called the abdomen. A swollen belly, known as ascites. Nausea and vomiting. A general sense of feeling unwell, known as malaise. Disorientation or confusion. Sleepiness.
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Acute liver failure is loss of liver function that happens quickly — in days or weeks — usually in a person who has no preexisting liver disease. It’s most often caused by a hepatitis virus or drugs, such as acetaminophen. Acute liver failure is less common than chronic liver failure, which develops more slowly.
What is Stage 1 liver failure?
Four stages of liver failure define the progression of the disease:
- Stage 1: Inflammation. Patients may not have any symptoms at this stage, but some people may have tenderness on the right side of their abdomen. Elevated liver enzymes can be a sign of liver inflammation.
- Stage 2: Fibrosis/scarring. Liver scars can form as a result of longstanding inflammation. The scarring can worsen over time if the cause of liver damage is not treated.
- Stage 3: Cirrhosis. In cirrhosis, scarring in the liver has become more extensive. Liver function may be normal at this stage, but close monitoring for complications such as liver failure and liver cancer are needed. Liver transplant evaluation may be discussed at this stage.
- Stage 4: End-stage liver failure. At this stage, the body is suffering from multiple conditions, including fluid in the abdomen, internal bleeding, impaired kidney function, and confusion due to the liver not effectively filtering the blood. Liver transplant evaluation should be performed at this stage.
The symptoms of liver failure are often similar to those of other conditions, making it difficult to diagnose. The symptoms can also be different depending on the type of liver failure.
The liver specialists at NewYork-Presbyterian are experts in treating the symptoms of all types and stages of liver failure.
What is stage 1 liver failure?
Four stages of liver failure define the progression of the disease:
- Stage 1: Inflammation. Patients may not have any symptoms at this stage, but some people may have tenderness on the right side of their abdomen. Elevated liver enzymes can be a sign of liver inflammation.
- Stage 2: Fibrosis/scarring. Liver scars can form as a result of longstanding inflammation. The scarring can worsen over time if the cause of liver damage is not treated.
- Stage 3: Cirrhosis. In cirrhosis, scarring in the liver has become more extensive. Liver function may be normal at this stage, but close monitoring for complications such as liver failure and liver cancer are needed. Liver transplant evaluation may be discussed at this stage.
- Stage 4: End-stage liver failure. At this stage, the body is suffering from multiple conditions, including fluid in the abdomen, internal bleeding, impaired kidney function, and confusion due to the liver not effectively filtering the blood. Liver transplant evaluation should be performed at this stage.
The symptoms of liver failure are often similar to those of other conditions, making it difficult to diagnose. The symptoms can also be different depending on the type of liver failure.
The liver specialists at NewYork-Presbyterian are experts in treating the symptoms of all types and stages of liver failure.
Can a fatty liver cause swollen legs?
Yellowish skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice). Swelling in your abdomen (ascites) Swelling in your legs, feet or hands (edema). Bleeding (that your provider finds in your esophagus, stomach or rectum).
What is steatotic (fatty) liver disease?. Steatotic liver disease (SLD) includes several conditions associated with steatosis in your liver. “Steatosis” is a term healthcare providers use to describe fat buildup in an organ (usually your liver). A healthy, high-functioning liver contains a small amount of fat. Fat buildup becomes a problem when it reaches over 5% of your liver’s weight.
Why was fatty liver disease renamed steatotic liver disease?. Previously, steatotic liver disease was known as “fatty liver disease.” In 2023, experts renamed the condition and its subcategories to reflect its causes more accurately. For example, while some conditions associated with fat composition in your body (like obesity ) can increase your risk of steatosis, there are several risk factors unrelated to weight or body mass index (BMI).
The renaming also avoids language that’s potentially stigmatizing toward people with SLD.
How can I reduce swelling in my legs due to liver disease?
Cutting down on salt can help reduce the chance of swelling in your legs, feet and tummy caused by a build-up of fluid.
The damage to your liver can mean it’s unable to store glycogen, which is a type of fuel the body needs for energy.
When this happens, your muscle tissue is used for energy between meals, which leads to muscle loss and weakness. This means you may need extra calories and protein in your diet.
Eating healthy snacks between meals, or having 3 or 4 small meals each day, rather than 1 or 2 large meals, may help.
What happens when your liver enzymes are high?
Elevated liver enzymes often are a sign of inflamed or damaged cells in the liver. Inflamed or injured liver cells leak higher levels of certain chemicals into the bloodstream. These chemicals include liver enzymes that may appear higher than usual on blood tests.
What organ failure causes swollen legs?
Your kidneys are responsible for regulating your body’s fluids and getting rid of waste products. If your kidneys aren’t working correctly, you may notice swelling in your arms, legs, and abdomen.
Treatments to expect. When you come in to evaluate your limb swelling, our team uses state-of-the-art diagnostic tools to determine what’s causing the problem. Our team tailors your treatment plan to the cause of your edema.
One of the main treatments for fluid retention is medications known as diuretics. These medications reduce edema in your body by pushing excess fluid out through urination. We prescribe these medications to get rid of the excess fluid in your body through your urinary system.
What stage of liver disease is fluid retention?
In end stage liver disease (ESLD), accumulation of fluid as ascites, edema or pleural effusion due to cirrhosis is common and results from a derangement in the extracellular fluid volume regulatory mechanisms.
From the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastronterology and Hepatology, University of California, Davis Medical Center, 4150 V Street – PSSB 3500, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
From the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastronterology and Hepatology, University of California, Davis Medical Center, 4150 V Street – PSSB 3500, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
From the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastronterology and Hepatology, University of California, Davis Medical Center, 4150 V Street – PSSB 3500, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
What stage of liver disease is leg swelling?
- Stage 1 is inflammation of your liver, caused by your immune system reacting to a foreign substance, like toxins. Chronic inflammation can lead to an enlarged liver. Inflammation can result from fatty liver, hepatitis, and other causes.
- Stage 2 is liver fibrosis or liver scarring, caused by chronic inflammation. Scarred tissue begins to replace healthy tissue, which reduces how well your liver functions. Liver scar tissue also reduces blood flow to your liver.
- Stage 3 is cirrhosis of your liver, caused by severe liver scarring. At the cirrhosis stage, you may experience more symptoms of liver damage including jaundice, weakness, fatigue, appetite and weight loss, abdominal bloating, and edema in your extremities.
- Stage 4 is liver failure, which means your liver can no longer function or heal itself. In liver failure, the liver can no longer process toxins or drugs, and they build up in your body. Symptoms grow worse and can include mental and physical impairment, appetite and weight loss, diarrhea, and other problems.
Early diagnosis of liver disease is the key to early treatment, which can mean a better outcome for you. Liver disease in the early stages is treatable because your liver has a great ability to heal itself. As liver disease progresses, the liver’s natural healing abilities decrease.
To learn more about the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of liver disease, call Dr. E. Anthony Ugheoke at Associates In Gastroenterology in Huntsville, AL. You can reach him at 883-0098, so call today!
How do you feel when liver enzymes are elevated?
If liver damage is the cause of elevated liver enzymes, you may have symptoms such as: Abdominal (stomach) pain. Dark urine (pee). Fatigue (feeling tired).
What does it mean to have elevated liver enzymes?. If you have high levels of liver enzymes in your blood, you have elevated liver enzymes. High liver enzyme levels may be temporary, or they may be a sign of a medical condition like hepatitis or liver disease. Certain medications can also cause elevated liver enzymes.
What are liver enzymes?. Liver enzymes are proteins that speed up chemical reactions in your body. These chemical reactions include producing bile and substances that help your blood clot, breaking down food and toxins, and fighting infection. Common liver enzymes include:
- Alkaline phosphatase (ALP).
- Alanine transaminase (ALT).
- Aspartate transaminase (AST).
- Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT).
📹 #1 Vitamin to Eliminate Swollen Legs and Ankles
Find out about the underlying cause of edema and the key nutrients that can help. 0:00 Introduction: How to reduce swelling in …
I had +3 pitting edema in my feet, ankles, calves, knees, and thighs. It came on suddenly. My doctor put me on the classic treatment of Lasix and Potassium. It didn’t work. I started taking B1, decreased processed sugars, wore TED hose, as my feet felt like they were broken from the enormous pressure from the edema. Blood vessels ruptured, and the front of my calves split, the edema was so bad. I am not diabetic. I walk and exercise. Once I took control of my health….I stopped the Lasix & Potassium…..increased my Magnesium Taurate and B1 vitamin, along with B12…..the edema literally disappeared in 2 days. I lost 25 pounds in that time, too. My doctor was stunned that I cured myself. I am an ER/ICU/Trauma Nurse). Everyone should be more proactive in their own healthcare. Research, educate yourselves, and dedicate your life to your life. Thank you, Dr. Berg…..you ROCK!❤😊
Dr Berg notes Dr Berg talks about edema causes and remedies. Swollen legs are often a symptom of edema and are typically blamed on liver, kidney, or heart problems. Did you know that edema and pitting edema may be able to be fixed without a blood thinner or diuretic? Water retention in the lower legs is caused by a problem with the sodium-potassium pumps in your cells. If these pumps aren’t working correctly, water retention outside the cells, known as interstitial fluid retention, will occur. When you have swollen ankles, it’s usually the result of high blood sugar connected to the hemoglobin protein in your blood. This is called glycation, which inhibits the blood cell’s ability to carry nutrition and oxygen throughout the body. Glycated proteins can also block circulation, leading to swollen legs and swollen ankles. High blood sugar causes sodium retention, which also contributes to water retention. Over time, this can affect the nerves in the bottom of the feet, causing numbness and tingling, known as peripheral neuropathy. Even if you don’t yet have diabetes, edema can be caused by high blood sugar. To help eliminate edema, you must ensure you’re getting plenty of potassium, which can be difficult to achieve through diet alone. The average person needs 4700 mg of potassium daily! Avocados, salads, and berries can help you meet this requirement. You also need plenty of magnesium to help eliminate edema. Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and leafy greens are good sources of magnesium.
I had significant edema in my lower legs before quitting carbs three years ago. My doctor was amazed that my legs were returning to normal after only four months! I had suffered with this condition for ten years! The Doctor told me there was no treatment, just wrap my legs with Ace bandages. Pre diabetes diagnosis was one of the best things to happen to me! After quitting carbs, pre diabetes was gone in three weeks. I still have a small amount of swelling in my ankles. Wear compression sleeves every day. Im going to try this. Thanks, Dr. Berg. Your articles have helped me to improve my health significantly.
Day 1 for me (325lbs, type II Diabetic, Lupus, OA, Menopause). I bought some marked down steaks and eggs and artichoke hearts (no gallbladder). Walked in the Sun for 10 minutes. perusal all your articles. Thank you for all the information you provide and the time you take to give us good data, so that we can get healthy.
Having jumped off the Good Health wagon in order to bake and devour rich apple pies which led to tubs of ice cream and then lazily got re-addicted to cookies – now this good inspiring health advice has come at a critical pivotal moment. Now it’s time to go cold turkey on the sugar & bread . . . again!!
Thank you for this article. I take 1teaspoon cremetart/creme of Tartar daily for my potassium intake. Those deficient in potassium can take 1teaspoon in the morning and 1teaspoon im the evening for months then lower to 1teaspoon daily. Much easier while getting your diet correct. Some of us cannot afford to buy all the fruits and veggies needed. Take it from a nurse.
Dr Berg, I want to say a massive thank you! I’m a 53yo clinical icu nurse and have recently been told by my medical team my situation is desperate all from having my gallbladder out (ending up with pancreatitis need a whipples operation). Between my acupuncturist and you, my health and condition has improved out of site. I’m no longer facing liver failure. Thank you deeply for your website and explaining everything especially at a level I understand medically speaking . I think bc you’ve too have been unwell, you understand. Thanks for sharing your own life story. 🙏❣️
That is my problem this summer. In the past my feet have swollen a little during the summer heat but not as bad as this summer. Due to the leg fracture/immobility I have not been able to do even the most basic things like prepping my vitamin/pill trays. All the vitamins you mentioned, I have taken on a regular basis the last 10+ years. That’s why I was so surprised at how bad the swelling was this year. Felt like I was walking on painful water balloons. I was worried the immobility from the fracture and the extreme temperatures were causing the swelling. Now I am even more motivated to get my trays done. Thank you for the information.
I had edema for a couple of months but only in one leg which was very strange and doctors had no idea what was causing it. I was taking all my vitamins, including b1, was healthy and working out, xrays done – nothing wrong with the tissue in the leg! But continual swelling!! The only thing that made it stop and quickly – was cutting out carbohydrates. Mind you i was eating healthy carbs in a healthy balanced diet. Only cutting out carbs worked for me. Im in my second carb free week now. I cant believe how fast my body resolved the problem once i gave it a break from the carbs.
I’ve had a problem with edema, swelling, and pitting on my left leg for 27 years. I got it because of an injury to my left foot. One time I foolishly went out barefoot and I stepped on a sharp pebble; and that’s when the swelling started. I’ve been to various doctors about it and been basically told that nothing can be done. There had been some brief times when it went away but it came back. Elevating can help, but it’s hard to do constantly. I am retired from work and I had jobs where I sat for most of the day. I’ve always exercised with muscle training, bike riding, and some walking. It helped but it never went away. But lately, since I’ve retired, the swelling is less than it used to be and there are times when I would forget that I have that problem. Maybe I just need to see Jesus walking along a street and then I could touch his clothing, and it would go away. Wouldn’t that be nice?
I did 8 months lymphedema therapy massages and had 2 appts weekly co pay $40 each time. I have seaping valves in lower ankles and due to sitting at desk working legs in same position bent. Going on two years now no swelling. My feet were soo huge unable to wear shoes but a slide in and compressions. I still wear them daily. I went to vascular Dr who referred me to do the therapy at Baylor. Wish I had seen this article I could have saved Hundreds of dollars. I don’t eat a lot of those carbs however the lymph nodes were apparently clogged. She wrapped my legs get drainage out it definitely worked i am grateful. Now this invaluable information I will add into my food intake
I noticed I have swollen legs these last 5 days. And I suspected sugar… lately I was doing a lot of home improvements in hot Subic and had alot of sweetened fruit flavored drink (about 3 liters a day for 3 weeks.) Once I noticed the swelling, I refrained taking carbs and sugar. I did Keto diet once; it was very effective! Will probably do that again.