LIVER PANEL 1; LFT

The liver performs many essential, life-sustaining functions, including removing waste products and foreign substances from the bloodstream, regulating blood sugar levels, and creating essential nutrients. 

Here are some of the most essential functions of Liver: 

• Albumin Production: Albumin is a protein that keeps fluids in the bloodstream from leaking into the surrounding tissue. It also carries hormones, vitamins, and enzymes through the body. 
• Bile Production: Bile is a fluid that is critical to the digestion and absorption of fats in the small intestine. 
• Filters Blood: All the blood leaving the stomach and intestines passes through the liver, removing toxins, byproducts, and other harmful substances. 
• Regulates Amino Acids: The production of proteins depends on amino acids. The liver makes sure amino acid levels in the bloodstream remain healthy. 
• Regulates Blood Clotting: Blood clotting coagulants are created using vitamin K, which can only be absorbed with the help of bile, a fluid the liver produces. 
• Resists Infections: As part of the filtering process, the liver removes bacteria from the bloodstream.  
• Stores Vitamins and Minerals: The liver stores significant amounts of vitamins A, D, E, K, and B12, as well as iron and copper. 
• Processes Glucose: The liver removes excess glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream and stores glycogen. As needed, it can convert glycogen back into glucose. 

The Liver Function Test (LFT) measures levels of specific enzymes and proteins in the blood. The common components of the test include: 

• Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) – an enzyme mainly found in the liver; the best test for detecting hepatitis 
• Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) – an enzyme found in the liver and a few other places, particularly the heart and other muscles in the body 
• Total bilirubin – measures all the yellow bilirubin pigment in the blood. Bilirubin is a waste product from the breakdown of red blood cells. A damaged liver can’t properly process bilirubin. This leads to an atypically high level of bilirubin in the blood.  
• Conjugated bilirubin measures the form made only in the liver and is often requested with total bilirubin in infants with jaundice. 
• Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme related to the bile ducts, often increased when blocked, either inside or outside the liver. 
• Albumin – measures the main protein made by the liver and tells how well the liver is making this protein. 
• Total protein - measures albumin and all other proteins in the blood, including antibodies made to help fight off infections 
• Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) - measures the level of the enzyme GGT in the blood. GGT test is used to detect liver disease arising due to alcohol abuse and bile duct obstruction. 
• A:G Ratio - calculated ratio of albumin to globulins. It may provide a clue as to the cause of the change in protein levels. 

The Liver Function Test (LFT) is recommended to: 

• Check for damage from liver infections such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C 
• Diagnose liver disorders 
• Monitor treatment efficacy of liver disorders 
• Monitor side effects of certain medications 
• In case of planning for a pregnancy 
• Individuals with high risk factors for liver disorders. These risk factors include: 
  • Diabetes 
  • Obesity 
  • A family history of liver disease 
  • Heavy alcohol use 
  • Injecting drugs using shared needles 
  • Unprotected sex 
  • Exposure to certain chemicals or toxins 

A healthcare professional will draw a blood sample from a vein in the arm. There are no special preparations required for Liver Function Test (LFT), though your doctor may instruct you if any specific preparations are required for the test. 

The Liver Function Test (LFT) is a safe, standard test and there are minimal risks involved such as 

• Bleeding 
• Light headedness 
• Infection 
• Bruising 

The normal value ranges of Liver Function Test (LFT) results may vary slightly among different laboratories.  

The doctor will evaluate the results based on health, gender, age, medical history, and other factors and explain what the test results mean in your specific situation. 

The best way to avoid liver disease is to take active steps toward a healthy life. The following are some recommendations that will help keep the liver functioning as it should: 

• Limit alcohol consumption 
• Exercise Regularly 
• Eat Healthy Food 
• Practice Safe Sex 
• Get Vaccinated especially against hepatitis A and B and diseases such as yellow fever, which grow in the liver.