The liver is essential for digesting your food as well as filtering toxic substances that may enter your body, it is your body’s built-in filtration system.
A simple blood test for liver function can determine the health of your liver. Changes in certain levels of proteins or enzymes can alert doctors of potential problems such as liver cancer, fatty liver disease, or hepatitis.
Liver function tests can also help determine if certain medications are damaging your liver or help you monitor the progression of liver disease.
The Liver Function Tests that Anna Pharmacy Group Offers Include:
ALT Blood Test
Alanine Transaminase is used by your body to metabolize protein. If the liver is damaged or not functioning properly, ALT can be released into the blood. This causes ALT levels to increase.
AST Blood Test
When the liver is damaged, the enzyme Aspartate Aminotransferase can be released into the bloodstream. It’s usually measured together with ALT to check for liver problems. For example, a high AST:ALT ratio may indicate alcoholic liver disease.
ALP Blood Test
Alkaline phosphatase is an enzyme found in your bones, bile ducts, and liver. An ALP test is typically ordered in combination with several other tests.
GGT Blood Test
A Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) test measures the amount of the enzyme, GGT, in the blood. When the liver is damaged, GGT may leak into the bloodstream. High levels of GGT in the blood may be a sign of liver disease or damage to the bile ducts.
Liver Disease Symptoms
If your liver is not functioning properly or you have progressed to liver disease, you may be experiencing a number of symptoms, such as:
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Loss of sex drive
- Yellowing of skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice)
Causes of Liver Disease
Liver disease can be caused by a number of factors, such as:
- Alcohol overconsumption cirrhosis
- Immune system cirrhosis
- Viral hepatitis
- Fatty liver disease due to obesity
Liver disease blood tests are effective in determining if liver problems have progressed to liver disease.
Liver Function Blood Tests are available at Anna Pharmacy Group as part of our phlebotomy services in Carshalton, Sutton, Hackbridge, Wallington & Croydon.
Please contact us for more information about blood liver testing and let our knowledgeable staff assist you with any concerns or queries.