Comprehensive Liver Function Blood Test Kit

The liver is a crucial organ located just below your diaphragm on the right side of your abdomen. It plays a vital role in detoxification and excretion, metabolism, and synthesis of essential proteins. With the Extensive Liver Blood Test, you determine your liver values and possible liver problems.

What is the function of your liver?

The liver, a singular yet vital organ in the human body, undertakes several critical functions:

Detoxification and Waste Removal: The liver acts as a detoxifying agent, processing and neutralizing harmful substances. It then prepares these toxins for elimination, either through bile or urine.

Metabolic Activities: The liver plays a central role in metabolism. It can convert and store energy-rich compounds, release glucose when required, transform carbohydrates into glycogen for energy storage, and metabolize fatty acids to be utilized as an energy source.

Protein Synthesis: The liver manufactures proteins essential for various physiological processes, such as blood clotting, maintaining blood pressure (like albumin), and other metabolic functions.

Other Functions: The liver is also responsible for producing bile, which aids in digestion, and storing essential vitamins, minerals, and iron.

To ensure the liver’s optimal functioning, it’s imperative to maintain a balanced diet, stay hydrated, and limit the intake of alcohol and other potentially harmful substances.

What are prevalent liver-related conditions?

One of the most common liver conditions in the Western world is fatty liver disease. This condition arises when an unhealthy lifestyle, particularly a poor diet, disrupts fat metabolism, leading to excessive fat storage in the liver. Fortunately, fatty liver is reversible. By adopting a healthier lifestyle, the liver can recuperate.

However, if left unaddressed, a fatty liver can progress to liver inflammation. Persistent inflammation can result in the formation of scar tissue, a condition known as liver cirrhosis. To prevent such complications, it’s advisable to undergo regular Liver Function Tests (LFT blood tests) to monitor liver health and make necessary lifestyle adjustments.

In adults, acute liver failure is mainly caused by:

• Viral hepatitis, alcohol hepatitis, or an autoimmune reaction
• Liver damage from medications (e.g., paracetamol) or toxic substances.
• Metabolic diseases like Wilson’s disease. In this disease, small amounts of copper are not processed by the liver, resulting in copper accumulation.

What are the possible symptoms of impaired liver function?

Liver problems can remain hidden for a long time. Especially in the early stages of impaired liver function, there are usually no clear complaints, and most people notice little to nothing of their underlying liver problem.

Specific complaints that may occur at some point include:

• Jaundice; yellowing of the skin and/or the whites of the eyes
• A discolored, pale-yellow stool
• Severe itching or persistent itching
• Severe or persistent pain in the upper right abdomen
• More general complaints can be unexplained weight loss, persistent fatigue, or nausea.

If you have or have had these complaints, always consult your GP.

Which biomarkers are tested in the liver function blood test (LFT) and why?

• ALAT (Alanine aminotransferase)

ALAT is an enzyme that helps convert certain substances in cells, such as breaking down alcohol or medications. ALAT is mainly present in the liver. If your liver cells are damaged, ALAT leaks from the liver into the blood, resulting in an elevated ALAT level. This can occur before there are clear complaints or symptoms of liver damage. Because ALAT is mainly present in the liver, it is the most specific indicator for liver damage.

• Alkaline Phosphatase (AF)

Alkaline phosphatase is an enzyme present in various tissues and organs in the human body, but mainly in the liver, gallbladder, bones, kidneys, and intestines. In the liver, alkaline phosphatase is produced by the cells lining the bile ducts. There it plays a role in the breakdown and excretion of bile salts, which are essential for digestion. Hence, the AF value is also an indicator of liver function.

• ASAT (Aspartate aminotransferase)

Like ALAT, ASAT is an enzyme capable of converting substances. However, it is less specific for the liver than ALAT because it is found in multiple places in the body. ASAT is also found in the heart muscle, skeletal muscles, brain, and kidneys. Both ALAT and ASAT tests are usually performed simultaneously so that a ratio can be calculated. This can provide more information about whether there is a liver abnormality.

• Bilirubin

When red blood cells are broken down, the oxygen-binding part of hemoglobin is also dismantled. This hemoglobin is converted into the waste product bilirubin. The liver filters bilirubin from the blood and converts it into another substance. It is then transported to the intestines via the bile ducts, causing the brown color of stool. In liver dysfunction, the liver is no longer able to do this properly, resulting in elevated bilirubin.

• Gamma-GT (Gamma-glutamyltransferase)

Gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (gamma-GT) is an enzyme present in the bile ducts and liver cells. It is also found in the heart, brain, kidneys, pancreas, and spleen. Because Gamma-GT is also released into the bile ducts, it serves as a supplement to other biomarkers in assessing liver function.

• Albumin

Is a protein synthesized by the liver. When the albumin level is lowered, it means that the liver is not functioning properly, and possible liver damage has occurred.

Why is it important to do A Complete Profile Liver Blood Test?

According to the Dutch Liver Patients Association (NLV), 250,000 people in the Netherlands have an acute or chronic liver or bile duct disease. Impaired liver function can have significant consequences because a person cannot live without a liver. If too much damage has occurred to the liver, a liver transplant may be necessary. It is essential to take good care of your liver and prevent potential problems. The Extensive Liver Blood Test is a preventive medical test that helps you determine your liver health. With the blood test result in hand, you can then take targeted action to keep your liver healthy. The advantage is that you can do this test without a referral from a GP — you can conduct a liver function blood test by yourself.