Hemachromatosis is a genetic (inherited) disorder in which there is excessive absorption of dietary iron leading to accumulation of iron in the liver with resultant inflammation and scarring of the liver.
Wilson's disease is an inherited disorder with excessive accumulation of copper in diverse tissues including the liver and the brain. Copper in liver can lead to chronic liver inflammation, while copper in brain can cause psychiatric and motor disturbances.
Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency is an inherited disorder in which the lack of a glycoprotein (carbohydrate-protein complex) called alpha-1-antitrypsin lead to chronic lung disease (emphysema) and to liver disease.
Autoimmune hepatitis results from liver injury brought about by the body's own antibodies and defense systems attacking the liver.
Celiac sprue is燼 small intestinal illness where a patient has allergy to gluten and develops gas, bloating, diarrhea, and in advanced cases malnutrition. Patietns with celiac sprue can also develop爉ildly abnormal燗LT and AST levels.
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are燿iseases爓ith chronic inflammation of the intestines. In these patients inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) or bile ducts (primary sclerosing cholangitis) also can occur, causing abnormal liver tests.
Rarely, abnormal liver enzymes can be a sign of cancer in the liver. Cancer arising from liver cells is called hepatocellularcarcinoma or hepatoma. Cancers spreading to the liver from other organs (such as colon, pancreas, stomach, etc) are called metastatic malignancies.