Differential Diagnosis for Low Liver Labs
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Normal Variation: Low liver labs can sometimes be a normal variation, especially if the patient has no symptoms and other lab results are within normal limits. This is often seen in healthy individuals with no underlying liver disease.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Viral Hepatitis: Acute viral hepatitis (e.g., hepatitis A, B, or C) can cause a decrease in liver enzymes, especially in the early stages of the disease.
- Medication-Induced Liver Injury: Certain medications, such as statins or antibiotics, can cause a decrease in liver enzymes as a side effect.
- Fatty Liver Disease: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or alcoholic fatty liver disease can cause low liver labs, especially if the disease is in its early stages.
- Malnutrition: Malnutrition or starvation can cause a decrease in liver enzymes due to a lack of essential nutrients.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Wilson's Disease: A rare genetic disorder that causes copper accumulation in the liver, leading to liver damage and low liver labs. If missed, it can lead to severe liver damage and even death.
- Hemochromatosis: A genetic disorder that causes iron accumulation in the liver, leading to liver damage and low liver labs. If missed, it can lead to severe liver damage, heart problems, and even death.
- Budd-Chiari Syndrome: A rare condition that causes blood clots to form in the hepatic veins, leading to liver damage and low liver labs. If missed, it can lead to severe liver damage, liver failure, and even death.
Rare Diagnoses
- Glycogen Storage Diseases: A group of rare genetic disorders that affect the liver's ability to store glycogen, leading to low liver labs.
- Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency: A rare genetic disorder that causes a deficiency of a protein that protects the liver from damage, leading to low liver labs.
- Primary Biliary Cholangitis: A rare autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and scarring of the bile ducts, leading to low liver labs.