Liver function tests are a group of laboratory tests that can help determine how well the liver is working. The liver is an important organ that plays a vital role in digestion, metabolism, and detoxification, among other functions.tests of liver function can provide valuable information about the health of the liver and help diagnose a range of liver conditions. In this article, we will explore what liver function tests are, how they work, and what they can reveal.
Liver function tests are a group of laboratory tests that measure various substances in the blood that can indicate how well the liver is functioning. These tests are typically ordered by healthcare providers to evaluate the health of the liver or to help diagnose liver conditions.
There are several different types of liver function tests, including:
- Alanine transaminase (ALT): ALT is an enzyme that is mainly found in the liver. High levels of ALT in the blood can indicate liver damage or disease.
- Aspartate transaminase (AST): AST is an enzyme that is found in many organs, including the liver. High levels of AST in the blood can indicate liver damage or disease, but can also be elevated due to other factors, such as muscle damage.
- Alkaline phosphatase (ALP): ALP is an enzyme that is found in many tissues, including the liver, bones, and intestines. Elevated levels of ALP in the blood can indicate liver disease, but can also be elevated due to other factors, such as bone growth or pregnancy.
- Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT): GGT is an enzyme that is mainly found in the liver. Elevated levels of GGT in the blood can indicate liver disease or alcohol abuse.
What Can Liver Function Tests Reveal?
Liver function tests can provide valuable information about the health of the liver and help diagnose a range of liver conditions. Some of the conditions that liver function tests can help diagnose include:
- Hepatitis: Liver function tests can help diagnose viral hepatitis, which is a common cause of liver disease. In viral hepatitis, the liver becomes inflamed due to infection with a virus, such as hepatitis B or C.
- Cirrhosis: Liver function tests can also help diagnose cirrhosis, which is a chronic liver disease that results in scarring of the liver tissue. Cirrhosis can be caused by a variety of factors, including alcohol abuse, viral hepatitis, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
- Liver cancer: Liver function tests can help diagnose liver cancer, which is a relatively rare but serious form of cancer that originates in the liver.
