Liver Function Test, Here's What You Should Know

Liver function test is inspection for knowing liver condition. This test is done by checking the levels of enzymes and proteins in a blood sample.

The liver has many important functions for the body, including digesting food, producing protein, and storing energy. If its function is disturbed, the body will experience a number of complaints, such as jaundice, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. In such cases, liver function tests are needed to check the condition of the liver.

Enzymes and proteins measured in liver function tests include:

• Alanine transminase (ALT), which is an enzyme that converts protein into energy for use by liver cells
• Aspartate transminase (AST), which is an enzyme that plays a role in the metabolism of amino acids
• Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), which is an enzyme that plays an important role in the process of protein breakdown
• Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), which is an enzyme that plays an important role in the process of drug metabolism in the liver
• L-lactate dehydrogenase (LT), which is an enzyme that converts sugar into energy
• Bilirubin, which is a residual compound from the breakdown process of red blood cells
• Albumin and globulin, which are proteins made by the liver and become one of the markers of impaired liver function

In addition to knowing the levels of enzymes and proteins above, liver function tests also function to measure blood glucose levels prothrombin time, which is the time it takes for blood to clot.

Test Indication Fevacuate Hheart

The purpose of performing liver function tests is to:

• Detect and monitor the development of liver disease, such as hepatitis
• Assess the effectiveness of treatment and monitor possible side effects
• Checking how severe the damage is to the liver, for example from cirrhosis

Your doctor will recommend liver function tests if you have factors that can increase your risk of liver disease, such as:

• Suffering from alcohol addiction
• Suffering from anemia
• Suffering from gallbladder disease
• Suffering from obesity, high blood pressure, or diabetes
• Taking drugs that risk damaging the liver
• Have a family history of liver disease

Test Alert Fevacuate Hheart

Before undergoing a liver function test, there are several things you need to know, including:

• The patient's veins are sometimes difficult to find, so the process of taking blood samples can be done more than once.
• The patient may feel dizzy or feel faint during the blood draw. Tell the doctor the history of the illness, especially if there is a fear (phobia) of needles.
• Liver function tests may be performed more than once to determine the progress of the disease or to determine if other tests are necessary.
• Liver function test results do not always provide a correct diagnosis and may not always tell the extent of the patient's liver damage.
• If the results of liver function tests do not provide an accurate diagnosis, the doctor may perform additional tests, such as ultrasound, CT scan, and liver tissue sampling (biopsy).
• Abnormal liver function test results do not always mean the patient has liver disease, because the abnormal results can be influenced by burns, infections, dehydration, pancreatitis, and pregnancy.

Test Preparation Fevacuate Hheart

The following are some things that need to be prepared before undergoing liver function tests:

• Tell the doctor what medicines are being taken, so that the doctor can stop using the drug temporarily.
• Fast 10–12 hours before having a liver function test, as some foods can affect liver function test results.
• Wear short sleeves or clothes whose sleeves are easy to roll up, so as not to complicate the blood sampling process.

Test Execution Procedure Fevacuate Hheart

Liver function tests are performed by taking a sample of the patient's blood. The implementation is carried out in the following stages:

• Clean the skin area where the blood is drawn, so that the blood is not contaminated with germs that cause infection
• Tie an elastic cord to the arm, so that the patient's veins can be seen more clearly
• Insert a syringe into a vein, then draw the required amount of blood
• Release the strap on the arm and cover the injection wound with a bandage to stop the bleeding
• Bring a blood sample that has been taken for examination in the laboratory

After Test Fevacuate Hheart

Patients are generally allowed to go home and return to their activities after undergoing blood sampling for liver function tests. However, if the patient feels dizzy after undergoing a blood draw, the doctor will suggest to rest first in the treatment room.

The results of the patient's liver function tests will be compared with the standard values ​​for normal liver function. If the results of the patient's liver function tests indicate liver damage, the doctor will find out the cause by evaluating the patient's symptoms and medical history.

It should be noted that the standard values ​​for normal liver function may be different for each patient, depending on the patient's age and gender. The following is a benchmark for normal liver function values ​​in adult men:

Abnormal liver function test results can indicate the patient's liver is damaged or not working as it should. This condition can be caused by:

• Diabetes
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C
• Alcohol addiction
• Bile duct blockage
• Cirrhosis
• Heart cancer

Liver Function Test Side Effects

Liver function testing is a safe test. The patient may only feel a little pain during the blood collection process. Bruises at the injection site may also appear, but they usually go away within a few days.