A liver function test is a specific blood test that’s commonly used to assess the health and function of your liver. It is vital to have this test from time to time for those who are healthy and, more frequently, for those with liver problems or illnesses that may affect the liver.
The liver is an important organ in the body, performing various physiological processes like metabolism, the production of proteins, and detoxification. A Liver Function Test tests the levels of various proteins, enzymes, and other substances in the blood, providing critical information regarding your liver’s health and performance.
liver function test tests key components include
- Alanine Transaminase (ALT): The ALT enzyme is found in the liver cells. High levels of ALT in the blood may indicate liver damage or inflammation. Testing for ALT levels is often used as a marker for liver health.
- Aspartate Transaminase (AST): AST is an enzyme found in the liver and other organs like the heart and muscles. Higher than normal AST levels can suggest liver damage, but it is not specific to the liver than the ALT enzyme.
- Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP): ALP is a liver enzyme that is also found in the bile ducts and bones. High levels of ALP may indicate liver or bone disorders. In the case of liver function tests, they are often used to assess the health of the biliary system.
- Gamma-Glutamyltransferase (GGT): GGT enzyme is found in the liver and other tissues. When GGT levels are elevated, they can be associated with liver disease or alcohol consumption.
- Bilirubin is a yellow pigment that’s a byproduct of the breakdown of red blood cells. Excessive bilirubin levels in the blood can indicate liver dysfunction or other conditions affecting the normal processing of bilirubin.
- Albumin is a protein that’s synthesized by the liver. It plays a vital role in keeping blood volume and regulating the distribution of fluids between blood and tissues. Low albumin levels may suggest liver disease or other conditions affecting protein synthesis.
- Total protein measures the overall amount of proteins in the blood, including albumin and other proteins. Changes in total protein levels (either high or low) can indicate liver or kidney disease.
Why you need a liver function test
Liver function tests are used in many ways to predict liver health. Here are some instances that require a Liver Function Test:
- Assessment of Biliary System Health: Some markers tested in liver function tests, such as Alkaline Phosphate, can help assess the health of your bile ducts and biliary system. When these markers are abnormal, it could indicate conditions like gallstones or obstruction of the bile ducts.
- Diagnosing liver disease: Liver function tests are typically used to diagnose liver diseases like cirrhosis, fatty liver diseases, and hepatitis. Abnormal levels of liver enzymes and other markers during liver function tests can indicate liver damage or dysfunction.
- Monitoring liver conditions: Individuals known to have liver disease already take regular liver function tests to monitor the disease’s progression and determine the treatment’s effectiveness. Healthcare depending on the liver function test results, healthcare providers can adjust treatment plans accordingly.
- Evaluating the effects of medications: Some medications can affect the liver. Liver function tests are therefore used to monitor individuals taking medications that affect the liver. Upon detection of abnormalities, your healthcare provider can change your treatment plans to prevent further damage.
- Assessment of liver health in jaundice cases: Jaundice typically causes the skin and eyes to turn yellow. This is caused by increased levels of bilirubin in the blood. A liver function test helps determine the underlying causes of jaundice. It could be related to many factors, including bile duct obstruction and liver disease.
- Detection of Liver Disorders in Asymptomatic Individuals: Sometimes, liver function tests are used by individuals at higher risk of liver disease (like those with hepatitis, obesity, and alcohol abuse, among others). Additionally, it can detect liver disease in its early stages for asymptomatic patients. This can help them get treatment early to prevent further complications.
- Monitoring alcoholic liver disease: Chronic alcohol consumption can result in liver damage. Individuals who consume alcohol frequently need to take a liver function test to monitor the health of their liver. Healthcare providers also require people with a history of excessive alcohol consumption to take a liver function test to determine the impact on the liver and to provide appropriate interventions.
- Screening for hepatitis: To diagnose hepatitis, you must take a liver function test. It helps in the screening and diagnosis of hepatitis B and C. When liver enzymes are elevated, it could indicate an active infection or chronic inflammation of the liver.
- Assessing liver function before surgery: Some surgeries and medical procedures require a liver function test, especially if you’ll be undergoing anesthesia or if it could cause stress on your liver. Your doctors will ask for a liver function test to see if your liver can handle the stress to be imposed on it and metabolize medications.
Symptoms of liver disease
When you have liver disease or problems, there are certain symptoms that you’ll experience notifying you that you need a liver function test to know exactly what’s going on with your liver. These include;
- Jaundice: The yellowing of skin and eyes may indicate an accumulation of bilirubin in the blood, a yellow pigment. Alternatively, other liver diseases, including cirrhosis and hepatitis, can result in jaundice.
- Fatigue: Feeling weakness and constant fatigue are common symptoms of liver disease. The liver acts a crucial part in the processing of energy. When it fails to do this properly, it leads to a constant feeling of tiredness.
- Dark urine: If your urine appears to be tea coloured or brownish, it can indicate liver problems. Often, it signals the presence of bilirubin in the urine.
- Abdominal pain or swelling: Experiencing pain or discomfort in the upper right side of your abdomen is a sign of liver disease. Fluid may also accumulate in the abdomen, leading to abdominal swelling or ascites.
- Pale stools: Light-colored or pale stools can indicate insufficient bilirubin reaching the intestines. This could be a sign of liver or bile duct disorders.
- Loss of appetite: When one suffers from liver disease, they may experience reduced appetite, resulting in weight loss. Furthermore, individuals with advanced liver disease may suffer from malnutrition.
- Nausea and vomiting: When you have acute liver injury or failure, you may experience nausea and vomiting symptoms.
- Itchy skin: You can also experience itchy skin when you have liver disease. This is caused by the accumulation of bile salts under the skin.
- Spider angiomas: Spider angiomas are small dilated blood vessels near the skin’s surface. They can be a sign of liver disease or liver cirrhosis.
- Cognitive impairment or confusion: Severe liver dysfunction can result in hepatic encephalopathy, which causes confusion, cognitive impairment, and difficulty concentrating.
- Easy bruising and bleeding: Liver disease can impair your body’s ability to clot, leading to easy bruising and bleeding for an extended amount of time. You’ll notice this when you suffer from constant nose bleeds and bleeding gums.
- Dark or bloody stools: Dark stools, or stools with visible blood stains, may indicate bleeding in the digestive tract, which can be linked with liver disease.
These symptoms may also be associated with other illnesses. Therefore, getting it’s a Liver Function Test is important so you’re sure of the cause. If you don’t have any liver issues from your liver function test, have your healthcare provider take more tests to further come to the root of the problem.
Final thoughts
Early detection of liver disease is key when seeking medical help. Get a Liver Function Test as soon as possible to determine its health. One or more symptoms of liver disease don’t necessarily mean you have the disease. Therefore, you need a test to be sure. The liver is an important organ in the body, and taking care of it to prevent problems like avoiding excessive drinking is key.
