Question
Recently, some patients have been experiencing nausea in the morning or after meals. After undergoing a liver function test at the hospital, the results showed that alanine aminotransferase was 2.63 times higher than aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase was 183, lactate dehydrogenase was 259, and the other indicators were normal. How should this situation be handled?
Answer
Lactate dehydrogenase is a glycolytic enzyme present in the cytoplasm of all tissue cells in the body, with a higher concentration in the kidneys. Elevated levels of lactate dehydrogenase may indicate a worsening condition and are commonly seen in compensated cirrhosis, decompensated cirrhosis, or liver cancer. Therefore, when patients exhibit elevated lactate dehydrogenase levels, it should be taken seriously, and they should seek further examination and treatment at a specialized hospital. Treatment primarily focuses on liver protection, identifying the cause of liver damage, and providing targeted treatment.