What is a common laboratory test result in patients with autoimmune hepatitis?

High levels of liver enzymes are characteristic of autoimmune hepatitis, which is an inflammatory condition of the liver caused by the immune system attacking liver cells. When the liver becomes inflamed, hepatocytes (liver cells) get damaged and release their enzymes into the bloodstream, leading to elevated levels of hepatic transaminases such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST).

In autoimmune hepatitis, patients typically present with symptoms such as fatigue, jaundice, and abdominal discomfort, and the laboratory findings reflect significant liver damage due to the ongoing inflammation. Therefore, the presence of high liver enzyme levels is a crucial indicator in diagnosing this condition and monitoring its progression or response to treatment.

Other options, such as low or normal levels of liver enzymes, would suggest a different diagnosis or a less active disease process, while decreased bilirubin levels do not correlate with the typical findings in autoimmune hepatitis, where hyperbilirubinemia might be expected due to liver dysfunction.