The vital role your liver plays in the functioning of your body cannot be over-emphasized. It does all kind of important work including breaking down food, cleaning your blood, storing energy your body needs and making proteins.
Liver function test is used to ascertain any problems with the liver. The test is conducted if you have a number of symptoms, including a yellow coloring of your skin and slurred speech.

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There’s actually no single test to check your liver. Your doctor will perform several tests to check levels of different proteins and enzymes in your blood. Enzymes are proteins that help accelerate certain reactions in your body.
Some tests will check for enzymes that you find in your blood only when your liver is damaged or is diseased. Other tests are performed to check whether the organ is working as expected.

Symptoms of Liver problems

Some symptoms of liver problems include:
• Dark urine or light-colored stool
• Lack of appetite
• Swelling in your belly
• Throwing up having the urge to vomit
• Weakness
• Jaundice, a condition that causes eyes or skin to become yellow.

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Liver function test can help check how bad an illness is getting or how well treatment is working.

Your doctor may order a liver function test if you:
• Have a family history of liver disease
• A heavy alcoholic
• Obese
• have diabetes or high blood pressure
• Taking medicine that can cause injury to your liver

Types of Liver Function Tests

There are a number of liver function tests, some include:
• Alanine transaminase (ALT) test: ALT is an enzyme that helps break down proteins and is found mostly in your liver. High levels in your blood could lead to liver damage.
• Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) test: This is an enzyme in your liver, bile ducts, and bone. You might have high levels if you have bone disease, liver damage or disease or a blocked bile duct, or bone disease.
• Albumin and total protein test: Your liver produces two main proteins: albumin and globulin. Low levels of these proteins can mean disease or damage to the liver.
• Aspartate transaminase (AST) test. AST is another enzyme found in your liver. High blood levels could mean or damage or disease to liver.
• Bilirubin test. Bilirubin is produced when red blood cells break down. The liver usually helps the body get rid of bilirubin. High levels in your blood could indicate jaundice, meaning you may have liver damage.
• Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) test. High levels of the GGT enzyme could indicate liver or bile duct damage.
• L-lactate dehydrogenase (LD) test. LD is high when your liver damages. However, other conditions can equally raise its level too.
• Prothrombin time (PT) test: This test measures how long it takes blood clot to form. If it takes a long time, that could be a sign of liver damage. Medications that thin your blood, such as warfarin (Coumadin), can also lead to a longer PT.

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Getting Ready for Liver Function Test

Your doctor may probably ask you not to eat, drink, or take medicine for 10 to 12 hours before the test because some foods and medications can affect your liver function.
Make sure you inform your doctor about any medicines you’re taking, including over-the-counter medications and any herbal supplements.

What Happens During the Test?

The test involves your doctor using a thin needle to draw a small amount of blood, usually from your arm near your elbow. You may likely feel a slight pinch or stinging sensation when the needle pierces your body. You may only sustain some soreness or a bruise at the site where the blood is withdrawn.

Typically, these tests are performed more than once over a few days or weeks. If you get your test at a clinic that has a lab on site, you can sometimes get results in a few hours. If not, it might take a few days.

Results of the test, what does it mean?

Your doctor can help you understand what your results mean. The results generally show the normal values along with your numbers. Note that what’s normal can vary with different labs. Gender can also affects results. You’ll likely get more tests if your results aren’t normal.

Source: http://www.healthdiary365.com/2018/02/01/how-to-know-when-your-liver-is-in-trouble/

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