Sometimes when you go to a doctor, you may hear someone say, 'We need to check some enzymes in the blood.' Then you may think, 'What are these enzymes? Why are they being checked?' Don't worry, this is a common test that is done most often. Today, let's talk about what these enzyme markers are and why they tell us important things about our health.
Simply put, what is this enzyme?
Imagine that our body is a big factory. Thousands of jobs are happening in this factory every second. Enzymes are like the little workers in this factory. These are actually a type of protein. These workers are what help the chemical changes that take place in the body and increase their speed.
An enzyme marker test is a blood test that measures how many of these workers, or enzymes, are in your blood.
Think of the organs in our bodies as separate rooms in this factory. Normally, these workers called enzymes are inside their respective rooms (cells). But if an organ is damaged, sick, or injured, it's as if a wall in that room has been broken, and the enzymes inside it leak out, that is, into the blood. Doctors look at the levels of enzymes in the blood to find out if there is something wrong inside the body. These are sometimes called biomarkers . That is, a sign that indicates a disease.
Enzymes in our bodies perform many important functions. For example:
- In the circulatory system: Helps blood clot.
- Digestive system: Helps digest the food we eat.
- Muscular system: Helps with muscle function and movement.
- Nervous system: Essential for the functioning of the brain and nerves.
- Respiratory system: Helps with the breathing process.
- Urinary system: Helps remove waste from the body.
In what cases is an enzyme test performed?
There are several main reasons why a doctor might ask you to have this type of test.
- Screenings: Sometimes, during your annual routine physical examination, this test is done to check for any damage or pressure inside an organ, even if there are no symptoms.
- Diagnosis: If you have certain symptoms, for example, chest pain, this test is used to diagnose a specific disease, such as whether it is a heart attack.
- Monitoring Treatment: If you are already receiving treatment for a disease, this test is also used to see if the treatment is effective or if the medication you are taking is causing damage to other organs.
What are the main types of enzyme tests?
There are several main types of enzyme tests used to diagnose various diseases. Let's take a look at what they are.
| Test Name | What is mainly checked? |
|---|---|
| Cardiac Enzyme Test | Check to see if the heart muscle has been damaged due to a heart attack or other cause. |
| CPK Isoenzymes Test | Check for damage to tissues such as muscles (including heart muscle), brain, and lungs . |
| Liver Enzyme Test | Check to see if any disease or damage has affected liver function . |
1. Cardiac Enzyme Test
When the heart muscle is damaged in an emergency, such as a heart attack, two special proteins are released into the blood from those cells: Troponin (cTn) and Creatinine Phosphokinase (CPK) .
Think of it this way: Troponin is like a special spy that only exists in the heart. It only comes into the blood if there is a problem with the heart. Therefore, this is a very accurate test for diagnosing a heart attack.
It can take up to 12 hours for troponin levels in the blood to rise after a heart attack. So, doctors sometimes repeat this test every few hours. If the troponin level is negative, it usually means that a heart attack is not occurring.
A doctor may perform this test if you have these symptoms:
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Excessive sweating
- Difficulty breathing (dyspnea)
2. The CPK Isoenzymes Test, which tells about muscles and tissues
An enzyme called CPK is found in places like our muscles, brain, and lungs. When these tissues are damaged, CPK accumulates in the blood. But there is something special about this. There are different types (isoenzymes) of CPK.
- CK-MB: This is mainly found in the heart muscles .
- CK-MM: This is found in other muscles (such as arms and legs).
Just like the police use fingerprints to find out who committed a crime, doctors look at enzymes like CK-MB and CK-MM to determine whether the damage has occurred to the heart or another muscle.
This test helps diagnose the following conditions:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Brain cancer
- Muscular dystrophy
- Other muscle-related diseases (Dermatomyositis, Polymyositis)
3. Liver Enzyme Test to check liver health
When the liver is damaged, infected, or diseased, it releases several enzymes into the blood. Two of the most important of these enzymes are ALT (Alanine aminotransferase) and AST (Aspartate aminotransferase) .
The enzyme ALT is mainly produced by the liver. Therefore, elevated ALT levels in the blood are a strong indication that there is some damage to the liver. In addition to the liver, the enzyme AST is also found in the heart, kidneys, brain, and muscles.
The following can cause elevated liver enzymes:
- Fatty liver disease
- Viral infections such as hepatitis A, B, and C
- Cirrhosis of the liver
- Liver damage due to alcohol use
- Liver cancer
How should you prepare before a blood test?
This is a routine blood test, so there is no need for much preparation. But keeping these things in mind will make it easier for you and the person taking the blood.
- Drink plenty of water: Drinking plenty of water before the test makes your veins more visible and makes it easier to draw blood.
- Avoid smoking: When you smoke, nicotine constricts your blood vessels, making it harder to get a blood sample.
- Tell me if you're afraid: Some people have a fear of needles (trypanophobia). It's normal. If you have such a fear, tell the person who is drawing your blood beforehand. Then they will do it in a way that is comfortable for you.
These enzyme tests usually do not require fasting, especially in an emergency situation like a heart attack. However, if the test is being done for another reason, follow your doctor's instructions exactly as they are.
What happens after the test? Are there any risks?
Getting a blood sample is usually very simple, and takes just a few minutes. A small bandage is then applied to the area where the blood was drawn. This should be left in place for two to three hours to prevent infection. Sometimes the area where the needle was inserted may turn slightly blue and swell slightly. This will usually go away on its own in a few days.
If the area is sore after the blood draw, you can apply an ice pack. Also, avoid lifting weights or doing strenuous exercise on that arm for about a day.
A blood test is a very low-risk procedure. However, some people may feel a little nervous at the sight of blood or the needle. If you feel any discomfort, tell the doctor or nurse immediately.
How long will it take for the report to arrive? What do you do after that?
In an emergency, like a heart attack, the report is received quickly. But it can take several days to get the results of a routine test.
After receiving the report, your doctor will explain what is in it to you.
Remember one thing. You can't make big decisions based on the results of one test. It's only a hint of a disease. More tests may be needed to make a definitive diagnosis.
So, don't worry about the values in the report, listen carefully to what the doctor says. Ask him any questions you have.
Take-Home Message
- An enzyme marker is a blood test that can detect damage to organs in our body, especially the heart, liver, and muscles.
- Elevated enzyme levels in the blood mean that enzymes are leaking from the cells of the organ in question into the blood. This is a sign of disease or damage.
- This test is used to diagnose a disease, monitor the success of treatment, and as a general health checkup.
- Be sure to talk to your doctor to fully understand the results of your test report. Do not self-diagnose by searching for information on the Internet.
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