The Health Benefits of Getting a Liver Function Blood Test

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Your liver is one of the most important organs in your body. It performs many vital functions, such as:
  • Producing bile, which helps digest fats and eliminate toxins
  • Storing and releasing glucose, which provides energy for your cells
  • Making proteins, such as albumin and clotting factors, which are essential for blood health
  • Filtering and detoxifying your blood, which protects you from infections and harmful substances
  • Metabolizing drugs and alcohol, which affects how they work in your body
  • Because your liver does so much for you, it’s important to keep it healthy and functioning well. One way to do that is to get a liver function blood test.
A liver function blood test is a simple and painless procedure that measures the levels of certain enzymes and proteins in your blood. These levels can indicate how well your liver is doing its job and if there is any damage or disease affecting it. Getting a liver function blood test can have many health benefits, such as:
  1. Screening for liver infections, such as hepatitis B and hepatitis C, which can cause inflammation and scarring of the liver
  2. Monitoring the progression of a disease, such as viral or alcoholic hepatitis, fatty liver disease, or cirrhosis, and determining how well a treatment is working
  3. Measuring the severity of a disease, particularly scarring of the liver (cirrhosis), which can affect the liver’s ability to function and lead to complications such as bleeding, ascites, portal hypertension, and liver cancer
  4. Monitoring possible side effects of medications, such as NSAIDs, statins, antibiotics, antiseizure drugs, or tuberculosis drugs, which can affect the liver’s function and cause damage or inflammation
Diagnosing other conditions that may affect the liver, such as high triglycerides, diabetes, high blood pressure, anemia, or gallbladder disease A liver function blood test typically involves taking a small sample of blood from a vein in your arm. The sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis. The results are usually available within a few days. The results of a liver function blood test may vary depending on the laboratory and the method used. However, some common tests and their normal ranges are:
  • Alanine transaminase (ALT): 7 to 55 units per liter (U/L)
  • Aspartate transaminase (AST): 8 to 48 U/L
  • Alkaline phosphatase (ALP): 45 to 115 U/L
  • Albumin: 3.5 to 5.0 grams per deciliter (g/dL)
  • Total protein: 6.3 to 7.9 g/dL
  • Bilirubin: 0.1 to 1.2 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)

If your results are higher or lower than the normal ranges, it may indicate a problem with your liver. However, abnormal results do not necessarily mean that you have a serious condition. They may be influenced by other factors, such as age, gender, diet, exercise, pregnancy, or other medical conditions.

Therefore, it’s important to consult your doctor before getting a liver function blood test and after receiving your results. Your doctor can explain what your results mean and if you need any further tests or treatments.

A liver function blood test is a simple and effective way to check on your liver health. By getting regular tests, you can prevent or detect any problems early and take steps to protect your liver from further damage.

If you have any questions or concerns about getting a liver function blood test, talk to your doctor today. Your liver will thank you for it!