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A blood test called the liver function test, or a liver test commonly referred to as liver panels, examines various catalysts, proteins, and other chemicals produced by the liver.
These tests examine your liver’s overall condition. On a solitary blood sample, various chemicals are frequently evaluated simultaneously and could include the following:
- Total protein: albumin, a liver-produced protein. This examination counts every molecule in the blood.
- The enzymes alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), & gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT). These are various enzymes that the liver produces.
- A waste product produced by the liver is bilirubin.
- The majority of the body’s cells contain an enzyme called lactate dehydrogenase (LD). When a disease or injury damages cells, LD is absorbed into the bloodstream.
- Blood clotting is aided by protein prothrombin time (PT).
It may be a symptom of liver disease if concentrations of one or several of these compounds are above or below normal. Other titles include liver panel, liver enzymes panel, liver profile, and liver test.
The most common purposes of liver function tests are:
- Aid in the identification of liver illnesses like hepatitis.
- Keep an eye on the liver disease treatment. These tests can demonstrate how effectively the therapy is working.
- Examine the extent of a liver’s damage or scarring caused by a condition like cirrhosis.
- Keep track of adverse effects from specific pharmaceutical medications.
A medical professional will take blood from a vein in your arm using a small needle. And once the needle has been inserted, a very small amount of blood will be collected into a graduated cylinder or container.
When the needle enters or leaves your body, it could cause some little stinging. Usually, this only needs a few minutes. Before the test, you might need to fast (i.e., not consuming food or beverages for 10–12 hours. The danger of getting a blood test is extremely low.
Even though you can have minor discomfort or bruising where the syringe was inserted, most side effects are transient.
The liver test price depends on which laboratories and clinics conduct the test. Your doctor might require additional tests if any of your blood work is abnormal to validate or rule out an explicitly specifies.
These examinations could involve a liver biopsy or further blood testing. A biopsy is a technique where a tiny tissue sample is removed for analysis.
Test for alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
You may find the enzyme alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in your liver, bile ducts, and bones. Usually, an ALP test is requested together with a number of additional assays. An ALP test can be performed to assess the liver’s bile duct system.
- Test for albumin
The primary protein produced by your liver is albumin. It carries out a variety of vital body processes. For instance, albumin feeds your tissues and carries nutrients, hormones, and other chemicals throughout the body.
- Test for bilirubin
Red blood cell lysis produces bilirubin as a waste product. The liver typically processes it. Before being eliminated by your stools, it first goes through the liver. Bilirubin cannot be adequately processed by a diseased liver.It is frequently possible to assess the degree to which the liver is inflammatory, damaged, or working adequately by a series of specialized blood tests. These liver tests can help differentiate between cholestasis and hepatitis, an infection or inflammation of the liver, and acute and chronic liver problems.
