Q: What is a raised liver enzyme and what is its cure? I have taken Zoton for nine years and I don't drink any alcohol. I had an endoscopy done and they found bile lying in my stomach as I have no gall bladder. Please advise.

A:A reliable diagnosis of a liver disease involves detailed history taking, a physical examination and appropriate tests as many factors have to be investigated and ruled out. Blood samples are analysed for levels of specific enzymes in the blood stream and these tests are part of what is called a Liver Function Test (LFT). These enzymes are ‘markers’ of disease and dysfunction as they are normally contained within the liver cells (hepatocytes) and appear in the blood when the liver cells are damaged. Measuring liver enzymes detects liver damage but does not measure liver function in a sensitive way. Different diseases of the liver will cause differing types of damage and affect liver function tests accordingly. By looking at the pattern of these tests, it may be possible to give an idea of the type of disease. They are also useful for monitoring someone with liver disease, but are not always accurate. Zoton (Lansoprazole) is a proton pump inhibitor drug, which works by decreasing the amount of acid the stomach makes, to give relief from the symptoms and allow healing to take place. It is used in the treatment of peptic ulcers (gastric & duodenal) that may be caused in part by too much acid being made in the stomach. It is also indicated for reflux oesophagitis caused by backflow (reflux) of food and acid from the stomach into the food pipe. It is combined with antibiotics to remove bacteria called Helicobacter pylori from the upper stomach in adult patients with peptic ulcers or chronic gastritis. It is not a habit-forming drug and may be taken on a long-term basis to stop the condition from coming back.