Liver Function Test

All you need to know about liver functioning tests:

Do you suddenly feel that you are suffering from problems like gastritis, or indigestion? Do you feel a slight pain in the upper abdomen which increases after a while? Have you noticed discoloration of your eyes, nails and skin? You probably have jaundice. The best way to detect the same is to have a liver functioning test done. Here are a few ways on how to go about it.

What is liver functioning test?

Liver is a primary and vital organ of a human body and without the same, your overall health can be badly affected. Liver plays a very important role in the body helping in removal of toxin materials from the body, stocking up fuel from food and making proteins required by the body. Liver functioning test or LFT is primarily prescribed by the doctors if they feel that you have jaundice or problems in the gall bladder, vomiting, yellowing of eyes and nails, swelling and pain in the upper abdomen and other stomach related ailments. The tests indicate the condition of the liver whether it is infected or diseased. Bilirubin count is also measured in the liver functioning test.

What can be detected in the test?

Diseases like

• Jaundice
• Gall bladder infections
• Hepatitis A and E
• They are also used to monitor people who have problems because of taking medicine causing liver diseases as a side effect.

Know about the various tests

Liver functioning tests include number of tests in the list. However the good part is that blood needs to be drawn just once and all the tests would be covered in the same. The different tests that make up a liver functioning test comprises of

• Alanine aminotransferase or SGPT count

SGPT of a blood is measured to see if the person is suffering from jaundice. This is an enzyme which plays a very important role in dispensation of proteins. SGPT in the blood usually rises when the liver is badly infected or injured as is in the case of jaundice.

• Aspartate aminotransferase or SGOT count

This enzyme found in the tissues of the body is common to SGPT and also plays an important role in processing of proteins. In case of infection the level of SGOT in the blood rises by a great deal.

• Total bilirubin and direct bilirubin count

Bilirubin is an important component measured during diseases like jaundice. High bilirubin count indicates higher risk for jaundice. It is a byproduct obtained from the breakdown of red blood cells. Bilirubin is usually flushed out from our body in normal cases because it is considered to be a toxin. However when the count rises because of any kind of infection, the skin changes to yellow color which indicates jaundice. Total bilirubin indicates measurement of all bilirubin in the blood whereas direct bilirubin indicates the measurement of bilirubin that has been processed by the liver.

• Alkaline phosphatase or ALP count

This enzyme is found in kidney as well as all the other tissues of the body. In children and teenagers the level of ALP is a little high. If it is the same in adults it indicates disease in the liver or blockage in the bile ducts.

• Albumin and total protein

 Albumin as well as total protein in blood is measured in the liver functioning tests. Changes in the same may indicate that one is suffering from liver ailments.

How to prepare yourself before the tests

A liver functioning test is very easy. The primary thing that one needs to do before the tests is be on a 12 hour fast. Fasting indicates accurate results. Also inform your doctor about the medicines that you are already on as the doctor might suggest some changes in that before the tests. Since blood is usually drawn from the forearm it is important that you wear something light and comfortable so that it is easy to draw blood.

How is the process followed?

Blood is drawn from the vein in your forearm, preferably from the inner part of the elbow. The skin surface needs to be cleaned with spirit after which tight elastic is tied in the arm so that the veins become prominent by swelling up. After detecting the vein the needle is pricked into the same and blood is drawn out. It is a very simple and hassle free process. Sometimes it becomes difficult to find veins in some people hands in case of which a double check needs to be done. The initial prick will hurt but it would be easier to draw blood if the person stays calm and relaxed. Once enough blood has been collected and same is sent to the laboratory for tests. The reports can be obtained on the very day.

Results

The blood samples are processed by machines. If the sample shows high count of bilirubin, SGPT or SGOT, then it is time you consult a doctor for jaundice.

A liver functioning test is genuine and is now being done by end number of people to detect liver diseases. It is safe and secure and the results can be obtained in few hours.

So get going for a liver functioning test and feel better!