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.

Some people believe that alcohol, even in moderate amounts, is harmless overall. However, this couldn’t be more far from the truth. Alcohol is a major cause of death and illness in the UK, and has a wide variety of long-term health consequences including weight gain, heart problems, and most prominently – liver disease.

The liver itself is the organ in your body which is responsible for detoxification, protein synthesis, and the production of chemicals necessary for digestion. When we drink alcohol, we damage our liver slowly over time and reduce the effectiveness of the liver, which can lead to a wide range of symptoms and health issues. Every case is unique however as the severity of the effects of alcohol have a wide range of factors including weight, age, gender, and personal tolerance.

So, how can you be sure YOUR liver is working up to it’s maximum potential?
 
The LiverCheck Liver Test is an easy-to-use, safe, and conveinent test you can take in the comfort of your own home. Simply prick your finger to draw a blood sample, and then mail the sample into YorkTest Laboratories. Within 10 days, you’ll have the results which will show you the overall health of your liver.

The test works by checking for damaged liver cells by testing two enzymes, ALT and AST. These are normally present inside liver cells, however damage to the liver causes more of these enzymes to leak into the blood. If too many of these enzymes are present in your blood, the chance of liver damage is fairly high.

It is highly important to keep your liver in good condition to ensure a long, healthy life. With the LiverCheck Test by YorkTest Laboratories, you can analyze the condition of your liver without ever having to set foot in a doctor’s office or hospital.

If you’re a heavy drinker, or just want to check your liver for potential health issues, please click here.

Remember:  Liver disease is a big KILLER, the good news is it doesnt have to be…………. 

BUT only as long as you TAKE ACTION NOW!