Liver Blood Test: What It Reveals About Your Health
Liver blood tests are used to determine the health and well-being of your liver. These tests measure the levels of bilirubin, liver enzymes, and proteins in your blood. Doctors recommend avoiding certain medications and foods before undergoing the test.
According to the American Liver Foundation, approximately 100 million people living in America have some kind of liver disease. If not diagnosed and treated early, liver disease can progress to liver cancer and liver failure.
What Is a Liver Function Test?
A liver function test is a blood test that monitors how well your liver is functioning. With the test results, health professionals get a better understanding of the state of various substances, proteins, and enzymes processed or produced by the liver. Additionally, the liver health assessment results help doctors find out whether the liver has any signs of inflammation or is infected.
Liver blood tests can also help to ascertain issues like excessive use of alcohol, fatty liver disease, and hepatitis. Among the parameters used in these tests to help doctors find out the condition of your liver are the following:
- GGT: Assists in finding out any alcohol-related liver damage or bile duct issues.
- Albumin: Indicates how efficiently the liver produces essential proteins.
- Bilirubin: Elevated levels can lead to jaundice and suggest bile duct or liver problems.
- ALP: High levels of ALP may indicate liver disease or a bile duct blockage.
- AST: Helps discover muscle damage or liver injury.
- ALT: Shows the intensity of liver inflammation or damage.
When Should You Get a Liver Function Test?
Your medical practitioner may recommend that you get a liver blood test for various reasons. Some of the health symptoms that indicate it’s time to get your liver checked include:
- Persistent fatigue
- Yellowing of the eyes or skin
- Abdominal discomfort or pain
- Nausea
- Dark urine
If you’re on any medications that are likely putting stress on your liver, you’ll need to get a liver blood test done. These medications include pain relievers, various antibiotics, and cholesterol-lowering drugs. Individuals with high-risk factors such as a family history of liver disease, diabetes, excess weight, and heavy use of alcohol can also benefit from the test.
Furthermore, health experts recommend doing the liver blood test and understanding liver enzymes as part of your annual medical check-ups or as a pre-surgical evaluation.
What Is the Importance of Liver Testing?
Having your liver checked regularly is crucial as it helps to identify issues early. This way, you can take the necessary steps to prevent complications and protect your health. Below are some benefits of liver function tests:
Early Detection of Liver Complications
Most conditions affecting the liver, such as fatty liver disease, hepatitis, and cirrhosis, have no obvious symptoms. Markers such as AST and ALT levels, together with a bilirubin test, can identify these conditions before they worsen.
With early detection, doctors can intervene early, avoiding further damage and improving treatment success. Whether the liver condition is a result of metabolic disorders, alcohol consumption, or infections, finding out early makes it easy and more effective to manage it.
Monitoring the Health of the Liver and Progress of Treatment
If you’re suffering from a liver condition, regular liver blood tests will help track the progress of your liver and whether the treatment you’re on is working effectively. Doctors measure enzyme levels to find out whether the liver is responding as expected to dietary changes, medication, and other forms of treatment.
Individuals with chronic liver disease should get frequent testing to monitor the progression of the disease. It ensures that any necessary medical or lifestyle adjustments are made to maintain liver health.
Assessing Preventive Care and Risk Factors
Some individuals are at a high risk of liver disease because of their medical history or lifestyle. People with issues of high alcohol consumption, a history of diabetes, obesity, or hepatitis should undergo frequent liver function screenings.
Routine liver function tests guide lifestyle changes. Limiting alcohol intake, exercising regularly, and eating a balanced diet can greatly decrease the risk of liver-related issues.
How Do You Perform a Liver Function Test?
To perform a liver blood test, you’ll need to get your blood drawn by a phlebotomist from Precision Labs. The medical technician will then clean your skin before conducting the test to reduce the likelihood of microorganisms causing an infection. They will then wrap an elastic strap around your hand to assist your veins in becoming more visible.
Using a needle, the phlebotomist will draw blood samples from your arm. They will then proceed to place a bandage and some gauze on the puncture site before taking the sample to the lab for testing.
You can expect a minor tingling sensation in your hand and mild tenderness or bruising at the site where the blood sample was withdrawn. This will fade quickly, and you’ll receive your results within 24 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Liver Function Tests Have Any Risks?
Liver blood tests are routine procedures that cause little to no severe side effects. However, some of the risks associated with getting your blood sample drawn include the following:
- Infection
- Fainting
- Excessive bleeding
- Hematoma or bleeding under the skin
How Do You Prepare for a Liver Blood Test?
Most liver function tests don’t require much preparation. However, you may be required to stop using certain medications or to fast. Additionally, the doctor will recommend wearing loose sleeves or drinking enough water to make the blood collection process fast and seamless.
What’s Next After a Liver Blood Test?
You’re expected to continue with your normal day-to-day activities after the test. However, if you feel lightheaded or faint while getting your blood drawn, rest before leaving the place. Your physician will call you to discuss the results of the tests and any changes that should be made.
Make Healthy Choices by Getting a Liver Blood Test at Precision Labs
A liver blood test helps determine how healthy your liver is. Any changes in levels of enzymes or proteins may indicate potential issues, including hepatitis, fatty liver disease, or liver cancer.
At Precision Labs, we have traveling physicians who handle blood draws in your patients’ homes. Our blood testing laboratory has state-of-the-art equipment and knowledgeable staff who treat every blood sample with priority, precision, and care.
Check us out today for timely and accurate blood test results.