The liver plays a major role in the body. The liver helps to flush toxins and wastes out of the system. The main function of the liver is to filter the blood that reaches from the digestive tract before it is transported to other parts of the body. Due to the sedentary lifestyle and the presence of toxins accumulated in the body can damage the liver. Apart from it, due to certain underlying medical conditions may cause liver damage which might reflect on the colour of the urine, abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, and itchy skin. Only the liver function test (LFT) can reveal how well your liver is functioning. Hence, your doctor may suggest taking the test to understand the overall health of the liver. In this article, let’s learn about the liver function test, when to carry out, various parameters involved and when to take the test. To address all your queries related to the LFT, keep reading the post.
What is a liver function test?
The doctor recommends the liver function test to determine who well your liver is healthy. The test detects the liver enzymes, bilirubin, and liver protein levels in the blood. Yes! The test parameters will help reveal any damages caused in the liver.
Why do you need to carry the liver function test?
The doctor may suggest you do a liver function test based on the reports from your medical history or physical examination. The LFT also helps to know any damage caused in the liver and any chronic, long-term infection may also be detected using the LFT. Also, if you are on any treatment, the LFT helps to understand how well you are responding to any anti-viral treatment if you are already in use. Buy your anti-viral medications from the trusted online pharmacy store in India and get them delivered directly at your doorstep.
What for the liver function test is often used?
The liver function test checks the following details:
- Liver infection
- Potential drug side-effects
- Liver disease from alcohol
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- Hepatic liver disease (Scarring of the liver)
- Gall bladder disease
- Liver cancer
- Diabetes
What are the symptoms of liver disorder?
Here, are a few symptoms to check out if you have the liver disorder:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Tiredness
- Fatigue
- Fluid retention in the abdominal area
- Itchy skin
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Jaundice
If you have any of the above-listed symptoms, visit the doctor immediately and carry out the liver function test to check for any liver abnormalities. If medicines are prescribed as part of your liver treatment, then buy prescription medicine online with a discount at the comfort of your home.
What are the different parameters done in liver function test?
- To check liver inflammation the following parameters are checked:
- Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
- Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
- Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT)
If the values of your liver enzymes are abnormal, then a test for hepatitis c antibodies may be carried out to check for hepatitis c infection.
- Alkaline phosphatase enzyme is checked for the blockage in the bile ducts
- A liver protein test (Albumin, total protein, bilirubin, and Prothrombin time) is done to diagnose liver disease.
- When the cells get damaged due to injury or disease, an increase in lactate dehydrogenase enzyme in the blood is seen.
When should you take the liver function test?
You may need to take a liver function test if you notice unexplained weight loss, edema, fatigue, or if you have any symptoms of kidney or liver disease. Also, get your liver tested if
- The liver disease runs in your family
- If you are on medications that may damage your liver
- If you expose to the hepatitis virus
- If you are alcoholic
Also, you can get your liver parameters tested as part of the general body check-up or routine health exam to determine liver or kidney disease.