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Are you aware that liver disease is the 5th biggest killer in the UK, and the only major cause of death that is still increasing year-on-year? In its early stages it produces very few, if any, symptoms and a blood liver test could be your opportunity to catch this terrible disease in its early stages.
Alcohol abuse, drugs, obesity, and diabetes are common causes of liver disease. This liver check gives you the opportunity to put your mind at rest in a matter of days.
The liver function test specifically tests for damage to your liver’s cells by measuring the two enzymes (ALT & AST) in your blood. These enzymes should only be present in liver cells, but will leak into your blood if your liver cells are damaged.
- Alanine transaminase (ALT). This is an enzyme that helps to process proteins. (An enzyme is a protein that helps to speed up chemical reactions. Various enzymes occur in the cells in the body.) Large amounts of ALT occur in liver cells. When the liver is injured or inflamed (as in hepatitis), the blood level of ALT usually rises.
- Alkaline phoshpatase (ALP). This enzyme occurs mainly in liver cells next to bile ducts, and in bone. The blood level is raised in some types of liver and bone disease.
- Albumin. This is the main protein made by the liver, and it circulates in the bloodstream. The ability to make albumin (and other proteins) is affected in some types of liver disorder. A low level of blood albumin occurs in some liver disorders.
- Total Protein. This measures albumin and all other proteins in blood.
- Bilirubin. This chemical gives bile its yellow/green colour. A high level of bilirubin in your blood will make you jaundiced (’yellow’). Bilirubin is made from haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is a chemical in red blood cells that is released when the red blood cells break down. Liver cells take in bilirubin and attach sugar molecules to it. This is then called ‘conjugated’ bilirubin which is passed into the bile ducts.
- A raised blood level of ‘congugated’ bilirubin occurs in various liver and bile duct conditions. It is particularly high if the flow of bile is blocked. For example, by a gallstone stuck in the common bile duct, or by a tumour in the pancreas. It can also be raised with hepatitis, liver injury, or long-term alcohol abuse.
- A raised level of ‘uncongugated’ bilirubin occurs when there is excessive breakdown of red blood cells. For example, in haemolytic anaemia.