From the Guidelines
No, nervousness and dizziness are typically not caused by elevated liver enzymes (hypertransaminasemia). Elevated liver enzymes are laboratory findings that indicate liver cell damage or inflammation, but they don't directly cause symptoms like nervousness or dizziness 1. Common symptoms associated with liver problems include fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice (yellowing of skin/eyes), dark urine, pale stools, and in severe cases, confusion or drowsiness. Nervousness and dizziness are more commonly related to anxiety, inner ear problems, low blood pressure, medication side effects, or neurological conditions.
Some key points to consider:
- Elevated liver enzymes can be caused by various factors, including fatty liver disease, viral hepatitis, and alcohol-induced liver disease 1.
- The severity of abnormal aminotransferase can be classified as mild, moderate, or severe, and the underlying cause should be investigated 1.
- A thorough clinical history and examination are essential to determine the cause of abnormal liver blood tests 1.
- If you're experiencing nervousness and dizziness along with elevated liver enzymes, these symptoms are likely caused by separate conditions or could be related to the underlying condition causing the liver enzyme elevation, rather than the elevated enzymes themselves. For example, alcohol use can cause both liver enzyme elevation and anxiety symptoms 1.
It's essential to work with your healthcare provider to identify and treat the underlying cause of elevated liver enzymes, while also addressing your nervousness and dizziness symptoms separately. This may involve further testing, such as liver biopsy or imaging studies, to determine the cause of the elevated liver enzymes 1.
From the Research
Relationship Between Elevated Liver Enzymes and Nervousness/Dizziness
- There is no direct evidence from the provided studies that elevated liver enzymes (hypertransaminasemia) cause nervousness and dizziness 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- However, some studies suggest that liver damage or disease can lead to various systemic complications, including neurological symptoms 5, 6.
- For example, a study on stress-induced liver injury found that stress can damage hepatic tissue, leading to inflammation and potentially affecting other systems, including the nervous system 5.
- Another study reported a case of hypercalcemic encephalopathy in a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma, highlighting the potential for metabolic disturbances related to liver disease to cause neurological symptoms 6.
- Elevated liver enzymes can be caused by various factors, including medication-induced liver injury 3, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) 4, and liver ischemia 2.
- While these studies do not directly address the question of whether elevated liver enzymes cause nervousness and dizziness, they suggest that liver disease or damage can have systemic effects, including potential neurological complications.