Hexahealth Care Team Tuesday, 01 November 2022
SGPT (serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase) and SGOT (serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase) are liver enzymes that help convert food into energy. These enzymes are predominantly produced by the liver but can also be found in the cells of the brain, heart, and kidneys. SGOT and SGPT are also known as AST (aspartate aminotransferase) and ALT (alanine transaminase), respectively.
If high amounts of SGOT and SGPT are present in the blood, it can either be a result of leakage of the enzymes from the liver cells or excess production of these enzymes by the liver due to damage. This is why SGPT and SGOT levels are also indicators of the liver’s health. High SGPT and SGOT in pregnancy can be life-threatening for the mother and the foetus.
Table of Contents
- Rise of SGPT SGOT During Pregnancy
- What Are the Normal Levels of SGPT and SGOT?
- How to Bring Back SGPT and SGOT levels to normal?
- Simple Ways to Maintain Healthy SGOT and SGPT levels in Your Body
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Expert Doctors
- Related Hospitals
Rise of SGPT SGOT During Pregnancy
Some studies show that a slight increase in SGOT and SGPT levels can be noticed during the third trimester, but in most cases, their levels do not change during pregnancy. However, pregnancy does lead to many physiological changes in a woman’s body, which can also affect the normal functioning of the liver, thus, leading to high SGOT and SGPT in pregnancy.
So, the rise in SGPT and SGOT may not be directly linked to pregnancy but may indicate a liver disease caused due to pregnancy or pre-existing disease that flared during the pregnancy (these diseases are discussed in detail below).
What Are the Normal Levels of SGPT and SGOT?
The normal range of values for SGPT is about 7 to 56 units per litre of serum, and for SGOT, it is 5 to 40 units per litre of serum.
Slightly increased levels of SGPT and SGOT are usually considered normal during pregnancy, but if these levels are high, they may indicate a liver disease which can be dangerous for both the mother and the foetus.
Side effects of high SGOT and SGPT during pregnancy depend on the type and severity of liver disease in the patient.
Here are some of the liver diseases that may occur or worsen during pregnancy:
Acute Fatty Liver of Pregnancy (AFLP)
It is a rare complication of pregnancy that occurs in less than 0.1 % of pregnant women. AFLP occurs due to a deficiency in the enzyme (3-hydroxy acyl-CoA dehydrogenase) that helps break down the long chains of fatty acid.
Symptoms
The symptoms of AFLP are usually observed during the third trimester. However, the symptoms can vary in different individuals. They may include:-
- A feeling of fullness in the upper right side of the belly
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea and loss of appetite
- Jaundice
- Weight loss
- Fatigue and weakness
Risks and Complications
Fatty liver can harm both the mother and the foetus during the pregnancy. If left untreated, it can lead to the following complications:
- Bleeding tendency
- Intrauterine death
- Delayed foetal growth
- Premature delivery
- Increased risk of patient mortality
Chronic Liver Damage (Cirrhosis)
Cirrhosis may be present before pregnancy and may worsen during the pregnancy. If someone is already suffering from liver cirrhosis, doctors usually advise not to continue with the pregnancy as it increases the risk of:
- Intrauterine death
- Patient’s mortality
- Variceal bleeding (swelling and bleeding in the veins present on the lining of the oesophagus) during the second or third trimester.
Cirrhosis may or may not show any symptoms during the early stage. Even if the symptoms are present, they may be easily mistaken for some other disease. For example,
- Swelling in the abdomen
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Weight loss
However, if cirrhosis becomes severe, it may include the following symptoms:
- Easy bruising
- Jaundice
- Itching on the skin
- Confusion or memory loss
- Blood in stool
- Swelling in the legs, feets, and ankles
Viral Hepatitis E
Viral hepatitis E (HEV) is found to be more common in the underdeveloped and developing countries of Asia and Africa. It is transmitted through the faecal-oral route. In 50% of cases, the infected mother passes on HEV to her newborn child. It can be prevented by washing hands responsibly.
Hepatitis A, B, and C usually don’t involve any risks during pregnancy and can be easily managed in most cases. But Hepatitis E can harm both the mother and foetus, especially during the second and third trimesters.
Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of viral hepatitis E resemble those noticed in other types of acute hepatitis infections and liver injury. These may include:
- Mild fever
- Loss of appetite
- Jaundice (dark urine and pale stool)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Enlarged and tender liver
Risks and Complications
Viral hepatitis E can get severe in rare cases resulting in life-threatening conditions. Women who are in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy are more exposed to the risk of the following complications:
- Acute liver failure
- Loss of foetus
- Premature delivery
- Patient’s mortality
- Autoimmune Hepatitis
Autoimmune hepatitis occurs when the body’s immune system starts attacking the liver cells. It is more common in women, and it may be present before the pregnancy and can flare up at any time during the pregnancy or the postpartum period.
Symptoms
- Nausea and vomiting
- Jaundice
- Fatigue
- Itching
- Rashes
- Joint pain
- Risks and Complications
- Premature delivery
- Low-birth-weight infants
- Loss of foetus
Other liver diseases that are caused due to pregnancy may include:
- Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy
- Preeclampsia and Eclampsia
- HELLP (haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet count) syndrome
- Hyperemesis Gravidarum
How to Bring Back SGPT and SGOT levels to normal?
To control high SGPT and SGOT in pregnancy, doctors may suggest a blood test to diagnose the underlying cause. The treatment to reduce the level of SGOT and SGPT depends on the underlying reason that caused the increase of these enzymes. The doctors recommend medications and lifestyle changes as per the underlying condition.
Simple Ways to Maintain Healthy SGOT and SGPT levels in Your Body
A lifestyle that includes smoking, excessive alcohol use, and lack of physical activities can lead to fat deposition in the liver, increasing the risk of liver diseases. Including a proper diet and incorporating healthy lifestyle changes in your daily routine can help prevent liver-related problems, thus, avoiding high SGOT and SGPT in pregnancy. Here are some simple tips to follow:
- Maintain Healthy Food Habits
Include a more organic and nutrient-rich diet in your routine, if you consciously make decisions about your diet plan, it can significantly decrease the risk of liver disease. - Tips for a healthy diet
- Eat food rich in vitamin D, including eggs, oranges, soy milk, tofu, dairy products, liver oil, mushrooms, etc.
- Colourful and leafy vegetables, such as cabbage, broccoli, carrot, spinach, and potatoes, have high antioxidants, so incorporate more of them into your diet.
- Reduce the intake of oily, deep fried, processed, and junk food. Aerated drinks are also not good for liver health.
- Only take those medications that the doctor prescribes. Don’t self-medicate. Medicines contain chemicals that can be harmful to the liver and the foetus.
- Changes in Lifestyle
The following lifestyle changes can also help in enhancing liver health:- Avoid the use of alcoholic beverages.
- Smoking is bad for overall health. Passive smoking should also be avoided.
- Include physical exercises like jogging, brisk walking, cycling, swimming, etc. in your daily routine which can help prevent obesity, therefore reducing the risk of liver diseases.
- Avoid exposure to harmful chemicals using gloves, masks, and other protective devices.
- Regular Health Checkups
- High SGOT and SGPT in pregnancy can be used as indicators of liver health. But liver diseases often don’t show any symptoms until they progress to a chronic stage. This is why going for regular health checkups is important to diagnose the damage at an early stage so that it can be managed in time. An SGOT test is one such test carried out to get the liver profile of the patient.
- High SGOT and SGPT in pregnancy can be used as indicators of liver health. But liver diseases often don’t show any symptoms until they progress to a chronic stage. This is why going for regular health checkups is important to diagnose the damage at an early stage so that it can be managed in time. An SGOT test is one such test carried out to get the liver profile of the patient.
So, along with taking care of your diet and including physical activities in your routine, you should also consider full body checkups at regular time intervals to prevent serious liver damage and avoid high treatment costs. Choosing a trusted healthcare organisation is also necessary to get accurate and reliable test results.
The expert team at Hexa Health can help you find the best health care organisation around you for a medical checkup.
In case you want to ask any doubts about the side effects of high SGOT and SGPT levels during pregnancy, feel free to contact our Hexa Health experts for further knowledge. They will also guide you to reduce your SGOT and SGPT levels effectively.
FAQs
What happens if SGPT and SGOT is high in pregnancy? ›
Slightly increased levels of SGPT and SGOT are usually considered normal during pregnancy, but if these levels are high, they may indicate a liver disease which can be dangerous for both the mother and the foetus.
How can I reduce SGOT and SGPT in pregnancy? ›- Increase Vitamin D in your diet by including eggs, oranges, tofu, soy milk, dairy products, liver oil, leafy vegetables, mushrooms, etc.
- Eat nutrient-rich, organic, and plant-based food as it is good for liver health.
- Avoid too much salt and sodium-rich food.
Conclusion. Liver disease in pregnancy can manifest as a benign disease with abnormal elevation of liver enzyme levels and a good outcome, or it can manifest as a serious entity affecting hepatobiliary function and resulting in liver failure and death to the mother and her fetus.
What are the side effects of high SGPT? ›- Jaundice.
- Easy bruising.
- Excessive bleeding.
- Shortness in breath.
- Swelling in the leg area.
- Fatigue.
- Weakness.
- Nausea and vomiting.
An SGOT/SGPT ratio greater than 2 is highly suggestive of alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis.
Can fasting reduce SGOT and SGPT? ›A study showed that individuals who were fasting had lowered SGPT levels. It also stated that the nutrient intake was balanced every day. Therefore, fasting might help lower SGPT levels, but you must consult your doctor.
What food causes high SGPT and SGOT? ›- Alcohol. Alcohol can be a major cause of fatty liver disease as well as other liver diseases.
- Added sugar. Stay away from sugary foods such as candy, cookies, sodas, and fruit juices. ...
- Fried foods. These are high in fat and calories.
- Added salt. ...
- White bread, rice, and pasta. ...
- Red meat.
High SGPT or SGOT is usually an indication of liver cell injury. Implementing these healthy lifestyle modifications with a healthy diet is the best resolution to lower SGPT and SGOT levels.
Is pregnancy hard on your liver? ›Pregnancy-related liver disease is the most frequent cause of liver dysfunction during pregnancy. We also need to keep in mind that pregnancy is associated with many normal physiological changes that should be considered in the diagnosis of liver disease [1–3].
What are the signs of liver damage in pregnancy? ›The patient who is pregnant or recently pregnant may present liver problems in pregnancy. Depending on the disease, a constellation of symptoms can be found. Presentations include abnormal liver tests, pruritus, nausea, vomiting, jaundice, right upper quadrant pain, ascites, and gastrointestinal bleeding.
What are the signs of liver problem pregnancy? ›
Cholestasis of pregnancy is a liver problem. It slows or stops the normal flow of bile from the gallbladder. This causes itching and yellowing of your skin, eyes, and mucous membranes (jaundice).
How can I cleanse my liver during pregnancy? ›Other Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy
Drink eight to twelve glasses of water daily as this helps to cleanse the liver. Add fresh squeezed lemon juice. Squeeze a half or whole lemon in a cup of warm water and drink it. Lemon is very good for the liver to detoxify it.
| Units | Nonpregnant Adult | First Trimester |
|---|---|---|
| U/L | 7 - 41 | 3 - 30 |
| µkat/L | 0.12 - 0.68 | 0.05-0.5 |
A high level of SGPT released into the blood may be a sign of liver damage, cancer, or other diseases. Also called alanine transferase and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase.
What medicine is good for high SGPT and SGOT? ›In contrast, the addition of hydroxychloroquine to a regimen of either MTX or aspirin essentially eliminated the SGOT and SGPT abnormalities.
What if SGOT is very high? ›If the results of your SGOT test are high, that means one of the organs or muscles containing the enzyme could be damaged. These include your liver, but also the muscles, heart, brain, and kidneys. Your doctor may order follow-up tests to rule out another diagnosis.
Does high SGPT mean fatty liver? ›Fat in the liver usually does not produce any specific signs or symptoms. Occasionally patients will experience a dull pain in the right upper abdomen. Blood tests may reveal an elevation of the liver chemistries (SGOT or AST, SGPT or ALT, GGT, Alkaline phosphatase).
What foods are good for liver repair? ›What foods are good for liver repair? Many foods contain specific compounds or antioxidants that have been shown to support liver function. A few examples include grapefruit, blueberries, cranberries, fatty fish, olive oil, and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli or Brussels sprouts.
What is the difference between SGPT and SGOT? ›The key difference between SGOT and SGPT is that SGOT is present in various tissues, such as the liver, heart, brain, kidneys, and skeletal muscles. However, SGPT is primarily located in the liver, with low concentration in other tissues.
How long does it take for your liver to repair itself? ›Healing can begin as early as a few days to weeks after you stop drinking, but if the damage is severe, healing can take several months. In some cases, “if the damage to the liver has been long-term, it may not be reversible,” warns Dr. Stein.
Which fruit is best for liver? ›
Fill your fruit basket with apples, grapes and citrus fruits like oranges and lemons, which are proven to be liver-friendly fruits. Consume grapes as it is, in the form of a grape juice or supplement your diet with grape seed extracts to increase antioxidant levels in your body and protect your liver from toxins.
How can I detox my liver in 3 days? ›...
In general, the following steps are taken in a specific order:
- Morning detox tea.
- Breakfast drink.
- Supplements.
- Lunch drink.
- Supplements (multivitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, and probiotics)
- Snack drink.
- Dinner drink.
- Detox ultra-bath.
Lemon water can also benefit your liver health. Studies have observed that the liver produces more enzymes in the presence of lemon when compared to other food items. Enzymes are essential to stimulate, accelerate, and catalyze various chemical reactions in the human body.
Is SGOT related to heart? ›It is concluded that very high SGOT activity (>500 units) in patients with heart disease is at least in part caused by acute hepatic central necrosis secondary to a drop in cardiac output and reduced hepatic blood flow.
What can cause liver damage in pregnancy? ›Severe preeclampsia itself is the commonest cause of hepatic tenderness and liver dysfunction in pregnancy, and 2%-12% of cases are further complicated by hemolysis (H), elevated liver tests (EL), and low platelet count (LP)-the HELLP syndrome.
Which food is good for liver in pregnancy? ›The best food sources are fruits and veggies – especially ones that are orange or yellow, plus leafy greens.
What is the diet for high liver enzymes in pregnancy? ›One must include fruits, vegetables, whole grain food products, nuts, fish, pulses, etc., in the diet. These are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and nutrients that may help lower the levels of liver enzymes that may be high during pregnancy.
Is delivery by 37 weeks necessary for cholestasis of pregnancy? ›If medication doesn't lower bile levels, your provider may recommend delivering your baby early. Inducing labor around weeks 37 or 38 of pregnancy may reduce the risk of complications of cholestasis of pregnancy.
What is normal SGPT level in third trimester? ›Based on SGPT levels among the second trimester patients, both patients (100%) had normal SGPT (<35 U/L), while in the third trimester patients, 4 patients (8%) had increased SGPT in the range of 29-58 U/L, 4 patients (8%) had increased SGPT >58 U/L, and 41 patients (84%) had normal SGPT (<29 U/L).
When should I be concerned about SGPT? ›On average, the normal levels of SGPT range between 7-56 units/litre of serum. If the SGPT levels in your liver blood test are greater than 56 units/litre, it is referred to as the danger level of SGPT and may indicate any form of injury or damage in the liver.
What medications cause high SGPT? ›
Over-the-counter pain medications, particularly acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) Certain prescription medications, including statin drugs used to control cholesterol. Drinking alcohol.
How long does it take for elevated liver enzymes to return to normal? ›Sometimes, factors such as hormonal changes or reactions to medications can cause temporarily elevated liver enzyme levels. Elevated levels caused by these factors will generally return to normal in about 2 to 4 weeks without treatment.
What are the medicine cause to high SGPT? ›- The antibiotics synthetic penicillin, ciprofloxacin and tetracycline.
- The anti-seizure drugs carbamazepine and phenytoin and valproic acid.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- The diabetes drugs sulfonylureas and glipizide.
- The tuberculosis drugs isoniazid, pyrazinamide and rifampin.
The hormones your body releases during pregnancy change the way the gallbladder works. This may cause bile to slow or stop flowing. Bile builds up in the liver and spills into the bloodstream.
When should I be concerned about ALT levels during pregnancy? ›An increase in ALT or AST levels during labor might be due to contractions of the uterine muscle. Thus, it should be emphasized that serum AST or ALT activity values above the upper normal limit before labor should be considered pathologic and should lead to further investigations.
What does SGOT test mean in pregnancy? ›An AST blood test, or SGOT test, checks how much AST, a liver enzyme, is present in the blood. High levels of AST in the bloodstream could be a sign of liver damage, or cell damage in another organ such as the heart or kidneys.
What is the main cause of cholestasis? ›Among the most common causes of cholestatic liver disease are primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC).
Can cholestasis cause birth defects? ›Background. Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) has important fetal implications. There is increased risk for poor fetal outcomes, including preterm delivery, meconium staining of amniotic fluid, respiratory distress, fetal distress and demise.
How common is still birth with cholestasis? ›The risk of stillbirth was noted to be: 0.13% if bile acids are below 40; 0.28% for bile acids 40-99; and 3.44% for bile acids above 100.
Can liver problems affect baby? ›About 10 percent of newborns with liver disease will be diagnosed with A1AT deficiency. Newborns may develop jaundice as part of inflammation of the liver associated with A1AT deficiency. Older children and teens can present with a liver that has been inflamed for a long time, causing scarring (cirrhosis) to develop.
What are the signs of liver damage during pregnancy? ›
The patient who is pregnant or recently pregnant may present liver problems in pregnancy. Depending on the disease, a constellation of symptoms can be found. Presentations include abnormal liver tests, pruritus, nausea, vomiting, jaundice, right upper quadrant pain, ascites, and gastrointestinal bleeding.
What are the symptoms of liver damage in pregnancy? ›- HG is defined as nausea and intractable vomiting that results in dehydration, ketosis, and weight loss >5% of body weight [1,11]. ...
- Clinical signs lead to dehydration and increased renal values, electrolyte abnormalities, metabolic alkalosis, and erythrocytosis [1,2,7,12].
In our study, women with preeclampsia have statistically significant higher values of AST, ALT, LDH and total cholesterol compared with healthy pregnant women. There are evidences that the lactate dehydrogenase and aminotransferase are increased in preeclampsia (8, 9, 10, 11).
How high do liver enzymes get in preeclampsia? ›Liver enzyme abnormalities are seen in up to 10% of pregnant women with severe preeclampsia. These include two‐ to three‐fold elevation in alanine and aspartate aminotransferases. The frequency and severity of elevation of liver aminotransferases are much higher in HELLP syndrome than in severe preeclampsia.
What is the normal range of SGPT and SGOT in pregnancy? ›SGPT (serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase) is a liver enzyme, also known as alanine transaminase (ALT). The normal range for SGPT levels in the blood is typically between 7 and 56 units per liter (U/L).
Is High SGOT curable? ›Regular health check-ups
High SGPT or SGOT is usually an indication of liver cell injury. Implementing these healthy lifestyle modifications with a healthy diet is the best resolution to lower SGPT and SGOT levels.
A high SGPT and normal SGOT may suggest the existence of medical conditions like viral hepatitis, diabetes, infectious mononucleosis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, or bile duct problems.
What happens if SGOT increased? ›If the results of your SGOT test are high, that means one of the organs or muscles containing the enzyme could be damaged. These include your liver, but also the muscles, heart, brain, and kidneys. Your doctor may order follow-up tests to rule out another diagnosis.