What is the Liver Function Test?
BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery), 10 years of experience
What is the meaning of Liver Function Tests?
Liver function tests or liver panels are blood tests that help in diagnosing and monitoring liver diseases or liver damage. The liver is the second-largest organ in the body that helps in processing the nutrients from the food you eat and filters the harmful substances from the blood. These tests include the collection of blood samples from a person and sending these blood samples to the lab for testing. Liver function tests help in measuring the levels of certain enzymes and proteins in the blood. Some of the liver function tests help in measuring how well the liver performs its normal function of making proteins and clearing the blood waste product, known as bilirubin. Some liver function tests help in measuring the enzymes that are released by the liver cells in response to liver damage or liver disease. We will be discussing in detail liver function tests in today’s article.
- What are the different types of Liver Function Tests?
- What is the purpose of Liver Function Tests?
- What are the symptoms that indicate the need for Liver Function Tests?
- How to prepare for Liver Function Tests?
- What is the procedure for Liver Function Tests?
- How to care after Liver Function Tests?
- What are the risks of Liver Function Tests?
- What do the results of Liver Function Tests indicate?
What are the different types of Liver Function Tests?
Some of the common types of liver function tests include:
- Alanine transaminase: This is a type of enzyme that helps in converting the proteins into energy for the liver cells. In case of liver damage, alanine transaminase is released into the blood, and its level increases.
- Aspartate transaminase: This is a type of enzyme that helps in metabolizing amino acids. An increase in the level of this enzyme in the blood may indicate liver disease, liver damage, or muscle damage.
- Alkaline phosphatase: This is a type of enzyme found in the liver and bone. It helps in breaking down the proteins. A high level of this enzyme may be indicative of liver damage, liver disease, or some bone disease.
- Bilirubin: It is a substance produced during the breakdown of the red blood cells (RBCs) of the body. It passes through the liver and is excreted in the stools. An increased level of bilirubin may be indicative of jaundice, liver diseases, liver damage, and certain types of anemia.
- Albumin and total protein: Albumin is a type of protein made in the liver. The various proteins made in the liver are needed by the body to fight against infections and perform other functions. Low levels of albumin and total protein may indicate liver disease or liver damage.
- Gamma-glutamyltransferase: It is a type of enzyme in the blood. A high level may indicate liver damage or bile duct (a thin tube that carries a liquid known as bile from the liver to the small intestine) damage.
- L-lactate dehydrogenase: It is a type of enzyme found in the liver. An increased level may be indicative of liver damage or other disorders.
- Prothrombin time: It is the amount of time taken for the blood to clot. An increased level may indicate damage to the liver. However, it may also show an increased level if the person is taking blood-thinners like warfarin.
( Know more about- What is Acute Liver Failure? )
What is the purpose of Liver Function Tests?
Liver function tests are recommended in the following conditions:
- To check for the presence of liver diseases, like hepatitis B and hepatitis C
( Know more about- What is Hepatitis B ? )
- To check for the effect of certain medications, like antibiotics, NSAIDs, statins, anti-seizure medicines, and tuberculosis medications, on the liver
- To monitor a liver disease, and see how well a particular type of treatment is working
- In case of medical conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, anemia
- If you have symptoms of liver disease or have a family history of liver disease, like a fatty liver disease (buildup of fat in the liver)
( Know more about- What is Fatty Liver Disease? )
- In the case of gallbladder disease (disease of a small sac located underneath the liver, whose main function is to store the bile produced by the liver and pass it through the bile duct into the small intestine)
( Know more about- What is Gallbladder Surgery? )
- If you are a frequent alcohol drinker
What are the symptoms that indicate the need for Liver Function Tests?
The symptoms of a liver disease, which may indicate the need for a liver function test are:
- Weight loss
- Loss of energy
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)
( Know more about- Best Diet for Jaundice and foods to avoid in jaundice )
- Ascites (collection of fluid in the abdomen)
- Dark urine
- Light-colored stools
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Bleeding or bruising
How to prepare for Liver Function Tests?
- Tell the doctor about my medications, supplements, or herbs that you may be taking.
- Tell the doctor if you have any medical conditions.
- Certain medications and foods may affect the levels of proteins and enzymes in the blood. The doctor may ask you to avoid these before the test.
- You may be told to not eat or drink anything six to eight hours before the test.
- Wear short-sleeved clothes to make blood-sample collection easier.
( Know more about- What is Liver Cirrhosis? )
What is the procedure for Liver Function Tests?
- The skin on the arm is cleaned to avoid the risk of infections caused due to microorganisms.
- An elastic strap is wrapped on the arm. This helps the veins to become more visible.
- A needle is then used to draw a blood sample from the arm.
- After drawing the blood, some gauze and bandage are placed over the puncture site.
- The blood sample is sent to the laboratory for testing.
( Know more about- What is Liver Transplant Surgery? )
Liver conditions must not be ignored and liver function tests must be done. In case of advanced liver failure, hepatologists may suggest getting the liver transplant surgery done. There are many hospitals and specialized hepato-biliary surgeons in different cities in India, where liver transplant surgery is done.
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How to care after Liver Function Tests?
- You can normally resume your daily activities after a liver suction test.
- If you feel lightheaded or dizzy after the test, you should take some rest before leaving the testing facility.
- The blood sample taken is sent to the laboratory for analysis.
- The results are usually obtained within a day or two.
- Abnormal liver function test reports may indicate a problem with the function of the liver. The doctor may review your medical history and medications to try and determine the cause of the condition.
- If you drink alcohol frequently, then you will be asked to stop its consumption immediately.
- If a particular medication is identified to be the cause behind elevated liver enzymes, then you will be asked to stop or replace the medicine.
- The doctor may decide to test you for liver infections like hepatitis, or other liver diseases.
- Imaging tests like CT scans or ultrasounds may be recommended to get a clear image of the liver.
- In addition the doctor may recommend a liver biopsy, in which the surgeon excises a small portion of the tissue and sends it to the laboratory to evaluate the liver for fatty liver disease, fibrosis (an abnormally large amount of scar tissue formation in the liver), or other liver conditions.
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What are the risks of Liver Function Tests?
A liver function test is a routine procedure that usually shows no severe risks or complications. However, during the collection of the blood sample the following complications may be seen:
- Infection
- Excessive bleeding
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Soreness
- Hematoma (bleeding under the skin)
( Know more about- What is Dizziness? Home remedies for Dizziness )
What do the results of the Liver Function Tests indicate?
- The results of the liver function tests are determined based on age, gender, and overall health status of the patient.
- A normal result usually indicates that there are no disturbances in the liver.
- Abnormal liver function test results may indicate liver damage, and the doctor may recommend other tests to diagnose the exact liver condition and treat it accordingly.
We hope that we could answer all your questions regarding liver function tests through this article.
If you want more information about liver function tests, you can contact the Hepatologist.
We only aim to give you information through the article. We do not recommend medication, treatment in any way. Only a doctor can give you good advice because no one else is better than them.
