Liver Tests

Liver tests, also known as liver function tests or liver chemistries, are carried out to diagnose liver damage and associated diseases. The tests typically involve drawing blood samples to measure specific proteins, enzymes, and other substances produced by the liver. A single blood sample can help determine the level of the following components:

• Bilirubin: A waste product produced by the liver
• Total protein: The total amount of protein in the blood
• Albumin: A protein produced in the liver
• Globulin: Proteins made by liver
• ALT (alanine transaminase), ALP (alkaline phosphatase), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) and AST (aspartate aminotransferase): Different enzymes produced by the liver and indicates liver injuries, damage or dysfunctions
• Prothrombin time (PT): A protein that helps blood clotting appropriately

Apart from these, tests that detect autoimmune liver disorders, fibrosis, steatosis, cirrhosis, and genetic involvement in liver diseases are also tested at Metropolis Labs.

You can book liver tests online to ascertain that these substances are in the normal range. Not all abnormal liver test results indicate liver disease. Your doctor can explain your liver test results and what it says about your overall health.

When Is a Liver Test Prescribed? 

A damaged liver or a chronic liver disease can make you very sick and even be fatal. Therefore, your doctor might recommend you to book liver tests when he observes the following symptoms: 

• Weakness 

• Weight loss 

• Nausea 

• Diarrhoea 

• Abdominal pain 

• Vomiting 

• Fatigue or loss of energy 

• Ascites (fluid collection in the abdomen) 

• Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes) 

• Frequent episodes of bruising or bleeding 

• Lack of appetite 

• Swelling in your belly 

• Changes in the colour of bodily discharges (light stool or dark urine) 

Why are Liver Tests Necessary? 

Liver tests indicate the overall health of the liver by checking the levels of substances in the blood. A liver test helps the doctor in analyzing the following: 

• The severity of liver disease or disorder, particularly cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) 

• Damage caused by hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or other liver infections 

• Damage caused due to excessive alcohol use 

• The side effects of medications known to affect the liver, including NSAIDs, antibiotics, statins, various tuberculosis drugs, and anti-seizure medications 

• Understanding if you have a family history of any liver disease (for instance, fatty liver disease) 

• If you have medical conditions that can affect the liver, such as high blood pressure, high triglycerides, diabetes, anaemia, and gallbladder disease 

How are Liver Tests Performed? 

You can book liver tests online or get them done at a testing facility near you, including hospitals. Here is how the test is done:  

• The healthcare specialist will clean or sanitize your skin before taking a blood sample. This step ensures the warding off of infection-causing microorganisms. 

• The specialist will fasten an elastic band onto the arm so that your veins are adequately prominent. They will then draw the blood sample using a needle and syringe. Finally, they will put a bandage on your punctured skin. 

• The specialist sends your samples to specific labs for further investigation. 

Time Required For Test Report and Next Steps 

While one can obtain the results of some of the?liver tests?the same day, certain tests might take a few days to process.  

If your liver test results indicate a problem, your doctor will determine the degree of liver damage. The doctor will review your medical history and medications to find the cause.  

Certain medicines cause a surge in liver enzymes; if you consume any of them, your doctor may ask you to stop. If you drink alcohol frequently, you may be asked to stop immediately. Your doctor may prescribe other tests like an ultrasound, CT scan or liver biopsy to further evaluate the liver's health.