If you are experiencing symptoms of liver damage or disease, your GP will, most likely, order a series of liver function blood tests to determine whether or not your liver is healthy and functioning properly. Liver function tests are blood tests that diagnose and monitor liver disease or damage.
Keep reading to learn the difference between the most common liver function tests.
What Is the Purpose of a Liver Function Test?
There are five primary liver function tests that healthcare providers use to identify liver function, damage, and disease.
Some of these tests measure how well the liver is performing its normal functions of clearing bilirubin (aka bile – a blood waste product) and producing protein. While others measure enzymes that liver cells release as a result of liver damage or disease.
At Anna Pharmacy, getting a private liver disease blood test in Croydon is fast and convenient. We have branches in multiple areas of South London including Hackbridge, Carshalton, Wallington, and Sutton.
What Are the Five Primary Liver Function Tests?
A comprehensive metabolic panel test is made up of five different liver function tests which are used to diagnose liver function, see the explanations below. If any of these liver function tests show elevated levels, this can be a sign that you have liver damage or disease.
The most common liver tests include:
1. L-Lactate Dehydrogenase (LD) Test
LD is an enzyme found in the liver. Elevated levels may indicate liver damage, but they can also be elevated due to many other disorders as well.
2. Prothrombin Time (PT) Test
A PT test identifies how long it takes for a sample of your blood to clot. This process involves testing proteins that your liver produces and how quickly they work to clot blood.
3. Bilirubin Test
Bilirubin (bile) is produced during the normal breakdown of red blood cells. It is essentially a waste product that is eventually excreted in stool.
4. Total Protein Test
Your liver makes several proteins such as albumin which is needed to perform many functions, one of which is fighting off infection in your body. Low levels of protein might be a sign that your liver isn’t functioning at its best.
5. Liver Enzymes Test
This important test measures the amount of liver enzymes in your bloodstream. Increased amounts of enzymes are typically released as a result of liver damage or disease.
Schedule your blood test for liver function in Carshalton at Anna Pharmacy online. We promise fast and reliable results!