People know that transaminases are an important indicator of liver function, and this test is usually done during medical examinations. However, some people think that a high transaminase means that you have liver disease. In fact, transaminases are only one of the indicators commonly used in clinical practice to check liver function. In many cases, the normal level of transaminases does not represent good or bad liver function, that is, high transaminases do not necessarily mean that you have a disease, and normal transaminases do not necessarily mean that you do not have a disease. Aminotransferases are mainly found inside the liver cells and are essential catalysts in the normal functioning of the liver, the “chemical factory” of the human body. When liver cells are damaged by inflammation, poisoning or necrosis, transaminases are released into the bloodstream, causing an increase in serum aminotransferases. A transaminase level between 0 and 40 is normal. If the level exceeds the normal level, the specialist will usually recommend another test to eliminate problems with laboratory equipment or improper operation. If the aminotransferase level is still high, it can be considered to be caused by viral hepatitis or other liver disease. However, to confirm whether it is viral hepatitis, additional tests are needed to make a diagnosis, taking into account the medical history, presentation, and physical signs. In some people, transaminase levels are normal, but liver damage can also persist. For example, in chronic hepatitis B virus carriers, these people have always had positive hepatitis B virus indicators, but their transaminases have never been elevated. A liver biopsy in such a patient can reveal a severe inflammatory response in the liver, which has even developed into cirrhosis and liver cancer. In other people, transaminases are elevated, but there is no problem with the liver. This is because, in addition to hepatitis, a number of other diseases can also cause transaminases to rise. First, many organs in the body are rich in aminotransferases. Myocarditis and myocardial infarction, for example, can cause elevated aspartate aminotransferases. Secondly, bile duct obstructive diseases such as gallstones can also increase blood transaminase levels due to biliary sludge. In addition, alcoholic liver caused by long-term alcohol abuse or fatty liver caused by poor diet structure may cause transaminases to rise. Aminotransferases are very sensitive and can change from one day to the next in a healthy person. Transaminases may also be mildly elevated in patients with fatty liver, but generally do not exceed 100 units. In addition, strenuous exercise, excessive fatigue or alcohol consumption, or eating too much fatty food may cause a temporary high transaminase level. If a person works late the night before the aminotransferase test, did not sleep well, or ate something fried at breakfast before the physical, the test results may exceed normal levels. If these are the causes of elevated transaminases, they will return to normal with some good rest. Another condition that can lead to elevated transaminases is taking drugs that can damage the liver, such as erythromycin, tetracycline, sleeping pills, antipyretic and analgesic drugs, birth control pills, and herbal medicines such as hemlock, betel nut, and penta. After stopping these medications, transaminase levels will quickly return to normal. It should be noted that elevated aminotransferases should not be treated blindly, but the cause of the disease should be identified and treated for the cause. Blindly using drugs and treating the symptoms will only aggravate the burden on the liver and make the condition worse. In order to get an accurate liver function test result, it is important to note that no food or water should be consumed before the blood draw, and the fasting time is usually 8 to 12 hours. No alcohol or spicy food should be consumed the night before the test, and the test must be light. You also must not stay up late or take medication, otherwise it may lead to elevated transaminases and abnormal liver function tests.