Elevation of liver function tests in severe anorexia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this article is to clarify the finding of liver function test abnormalities in anorexia nervosa (AN).

METHOD

Literature review and description of two representative cases of severe liver function test abnormalities from our medical stabilization unit.

RESULTS

Abnormal elevation of liver function tests can occur during the process of refeeding patients with severe AN. The cause of this elevation is either due to excessive glucose deposition in liver cells or represents liver cell death due to the sequelae of prolonged starvation which characterizes AN before refeeding is adequately in process.