Important Blood Tests to Understand Your Liver Health
Introduction
The liver is an important organ for the human body. It performs many vital functions, such as helping in detoxification of the blood, regulation of blood sugar, aiding in food digestion, and producing nutrients from food. This is why keeping a check on one’s liver health is important. There are many blood tests which can help in the assessment of liver health. The liver panel comprises of the essential blood values that reflect the state of the liver’s health. In this article, understand the components of a liver panel test and the meaning of the results of such a blood test.
Why Should I Get a Liver Panel Test?
A liver panel test, also known as a liver function test (LFT), should be a part of your regular health check up. The functioning of the liver is important for maintaining the overall health of the body. The following are the benefits of a liver panel test –
- Early Detection of Liver Disease – The liver function test can help in the detection of liver diseases, such as hepatitis or cirrhosis, early. As these diseases can have life threatening implications, catching them before they become severe is possible with the liver function test.
- Monitoring Liver Conditions -In case of exisiting liver conditions, such as viral hepatitis, fatty liver disease, etc., the progression can be monitored with the help of a liver panel. It can help the doctor in assessing how well the treatments are working and if further modifications to medicines, lifestyle, diet may be necessary.
- Symptom Investigation - The LFT is essential for determining if certain symptoms, such as fatigue or dark urine, are indicative of liver damage or liver disease. A better understanding of these symptoms can be gained through the LFT. This is why the LFT may be a part of a more comprehensive blood exam.
- Assessing At-Risk Individuals- Some individuals can be at risk of liver diseases, particularly if they have diabetes, obesity, high BP, etc. Regular assessment of the condition of the liver is important in such cases.
What is Included in a Liver Panel Test?
Several components or substances made by the liver are measured through the liver panel test. The liver function test will commonly include these components –
- Alanine Transaminase (ALT) and Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) – These are enzymes that can leak into the blood in case of damage to the liver.
- Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) – This is an enzyme that reflects the health of the liver's bile duct system as well as bone health.
- Albumin – This is an important protein produced by the liver that maintains various body functions.
- Bilirubin – This is a type of waste product of red blood cell breakdown. This is processed and excreted by the liver, while high levels of this protein are indicative of liver dysfunction.
- Total Protein – These are indicative of the total quantity of protein in your blood stream and are mostly made by the liver.
- Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) – This is an enzyme found in the liver.
- Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) – While this enzyme is found in most body tissues, it is in high concentrations in the liver.
- Prothrombin Time (PT) – This reflects how long it takes blood to clot, as the liver produces the clotting protein prothrombin.
How can I Prepare for the Liver Function Test?
In order to prepare for the test and ensure medically relevant results can be obtained, fasting may be needed 8-12 hours prior to the test. This is important because food and drinks can alter certain enzyme and lipid levels in your blood, which could affect test accuracy. Additional disclosures regarding the medicines you take should also be made to your doctor for proper interpretation of the results.
Wear loose clothing on the day of the test, so that the needle can be easily inserted into your arm and blood can be drawn. You can eat and drink normally after the test.
What Do the Results of My Liver Function Test Mean?
Your test results will need to be reviewed by a doctor in addition to other blood tests and symptoms. However, some of the probable implications of your results could be as follows –
- ALT - High levels usually indicate liver cell damage or inflammation.
- AST -High AST is an indicator of liver damage.
- ALP - Elevated levels are an indicator for bile duct obstruction, liver disease, or bone disorders.
- GGT - This is used for the confirmation of liver issues in case ALP is high.
- Bilirubin - If it builds up in the blood, it can be an indicator for liver or bile duct problems. It also causes jaundice (yellow skin and eyes).
- Albumin - Low levels can indicate poor liver function, malnutrition, or other conditions like kidney disease.
Liver Function Test with MedCab
MedCab Pathology services offer rapid sample collection at a time and place of your convenience. MedCab offers fast sample collection services while helping you avoid visits to the pathology labs. MedCab will provide you with timely digital reports that can be accessed easily through email or via the MedCab mobile app. You can book a single liver panel test with MedCab or book it as a part of a package deal to get an overview of your health profile –
- MedCab Full Body Checkup- Comprehensive: includes a variety of tests such as CBC Profile, Urine Profile, Lipid, KFT, LFT, Glucose Fasting, ESR, IgE Total antibody, Iron Studies, RF, Thyroid Profile Total, Vitamin, etc.
- MedCab Advance Fever Care: includes a variety of tests such as CBC Profile, Widal, Malaria, Dengue, Chikungunya, LFT (Mini), Urine Profile test and 57 other parameters.
- MedCab Dengue Fever Care: includes a variety of tests such as CBC Profile, Widal, Dengue, LFT (Mini), ESR, Urine Profile test and other 55 parameters.
- MedCab Screening Test 1: includes 8 health screening tests such as CBC, Blood Glucose, KFT, Lipid, LFT, Thyroid Profile (T3, T4, TSH), Calcium, and Complete urine examination with 63 parameters.
- MedCab Screening Test 3: includes 10 health screening tests such as CBC, Blood Glucose, KFT, Lipid, LFT, Thyroid TSH, Calcium, HbA1c, Vitamin D and Complete urine examination with 74 parameters.
Conclusion
In conclusion, getting a regular liver profile is important. The liver is a vital organ of the body, and a regular liver panel can help determine if the liver is functioning well. Existing conditions, as well as monitoring of medicines, is possible with the help of a liver profile. Protect your liver health by getting regular liver panel tests done. Get a secure and budget-friendly liver function test with MedCab. MedCab offers single blood tests focusing on the liver panel as well as package deals with other necessary tests. Book today for convenient home sample collection services.
