What are the causes of elevated Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) levels?
Currently, there are various kinds of liver-protecting and enzyme-lowering drugs available, but only a few are truly effective. During treatment, it is crucial not to abuse these drugs. Instead, one must identify the true cause of elevated ALT levels and treat accordingly to achieve better results. Patients should follow these three principles during treatment and medication use: Firstly, choose correct and effective liver-protecting and enzyme-lowering drugs to treat ALT elevations caused by various etiologies. Effective drugs are mainly traditional Chinese medicines and their active ingredient extracts, typically those containing schisandrin C, glycyrrhizic acid, oleanolic acid, silymarin, and other chemical components. Liuwei Wuling Tablets, composed of schisandra, licorice, forsythia, and other herbs, have the effects of nourishing the liver and kidneys, detoxifying, and eliminating dampness. They can be used to treat patients with increased ALT levels due to various chronic hepatitis and are a new generation of liver-protecting and enzyme-lowering treatment drugs, now widely used in clinical practice. As long as patients correctly use the above enzyme-lowering drugs, ALT levels can be effectively controlled, and the treatment effect is long-lasting and stable.
Secondly, ensure an adequate treatment course. After the enzyme-lowering drugs normalize alanine aminotransferase levels, gradually reduce the dosage of these drugs, and avoid sudden discontinuation. The treatment course with enzyme-lowering drugs should be over one year, and even after liver function normalizes, low-level consolidated treatment should be maintained. For example, when using intravenous drip of diammonium glycyrrhizinate for enzyme lowering, after liver function normalizes, change the daily infusion to every other day, and then to once every two days; when switching to oral enzyme-lowering drugs, it is better to choose potent drugs such as Liuwei Wuling Tablets to smoothly transition from intravenous drip to oral administration.
Thirdly, take fundamental measures. While protecting the liver and lowering enzymes, it is necessary to take "root cause" measures based on the etiology. For example, treating hepatitis B requires antiviral and immune adjustment therapy. Treating hepatitis B is a global challenge, and the current best approach is combination therapy and comprehensive treatment, also known as "addressing both the symptoms and root causes." Antiviral therapy is fundamental to treatment. Although there are currently no specific drugs for hepatitis B treatment, there are some effective drugs. Representative new research drugs are nucleoside antiviral agents such as adefovir, entecavir, and telbivudine. Long-acting interferon is also one of the main drugs for hepatitis B treatment at present. Patients with hepatitis B need to combine antiviral therapy with liver-protecting and enzyme-lowering treatment.
