Category: NASH
Vitamin D level and Liver Function Test (LFT) elevation
February 08, 2026 11:21 am
After weight-loss surgery, some patients may experience a transient elevation in liver function tests that resolves over time. We have previously reported on this. IT is essential to distinguish between the Duodenal switch and the SIPS/SADI procedure, where some patients are led to believe they are identical. These procedures differ physiologically, and their weight loss and metabolic behaviours vary significantly.
Other than the stress of the weight loss, obesity, and comorbidities of obesity, there may be other anatomical post-surgical causes for elevated liver function test. This has also been discussed extensively.
A recent literature review supports the protective effects of vitamin D supplementation.
Elevated liver enzymes may be caused by many factors, including nutritional deficiencies, excessive supplementation (turmeric), medications, alcohol, adhesions causing partial bowel obstruction, and increased enterohepatic bile reabsorption . I would be very cautious about associating vitamin D supplementation with elevated liver function test results, even if the vitamin D level is in the very high normal range, regardless of the daily dose (much less frequent with injectable).
Vitamin D, as a fat-soluble vitamin, however, protects the liver and improves liver function test even in very high serum level . In rare cases, prolonged, elevated vitamin D levels may strain the liver. In Fact, the association of the vitamin D level and liver disease, including cirrhosis, leads to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and dea h. Vitamin D protects the liver from HCC but cannot reduce the risk of cirrhosis.
Stages of Liver Failure
January 08, 2013 9:38 pm
The liver is probably one of the most forgiving organs when it comes to recovering from an injury. It can take a significant amount of “non structural” injuries and still be able to carry out its function. It is the only solid organ capable of regenerating its volume after a major resection. When a part of the liver is removed, it is within a matter of months that the size of the remaining liver increases to replace the removed portion.
A liver injury can be caused by a number of elements. In regards to weight loss surgery, these elements include alcohol consumption, high doses of Tylenol, excessive weight loss, and the most significant condition called steatohepatitis, also known as “fatty infiltration”. Steatohepatitis causes structural changes in the liver. Over time, the structural changes cause the liver to progress to an end-stage liver disease that requires a transplant. Structural changes to the liver injury are irreversible.
The healthy liver is normally soft and beefy-red with a very smooth and shiny outer layer.
How does steatohepatitis harm the liver? As the fat concentration of the liver increases, the liver loses its sharp edge and becomes distended with small pockets of fat that are visible as yellow satellite lesions.
The healthy liver is normally soft and beefy-red with a very smooth and shiny outer layer.
How does steatohepatitis harm the liver? As the fat concentration of the liver increases, the liver loses its sharp edge and becomes distended with small pockets of fat that are visible as yellow satellite lesions.
This is gross evidence of steatohepatitis, which is commonly known as fatty infiltration of the liver. The most common cause of this is obesity, in addition to medications such as insulin that are used to treat diabetes. If the underlying cause of steatohepatitis is not addressed, then the liver damage will progressively continue to worsen and eventually be resolved in the structural changes to the liver.
If the physiologic injury to the liver continues unabated, it will develop irreversible cirrhosis. An increasingly continuous insult to the liver will result in sudden liver failure, which will require a liver transplant.