Understanding the activities of the liver is necessary to comprehend what can harm it. The liver is situated above the stomach, right kidney, and intestines in the upper right quadrant of the abdominal cavity, beneath the diaphragm.
The liver excretes a substance known as bile and controls the majority of blood chemical levels. The liver receives all the blood that exits the intestines and stomach. The liver processes this blood, breaking it down into components, producing nutrients, and metabolizing medications into forms that are harmless or easier for the rest of the body to use. The liver's primary roles in our bodies are as follows:
The liver produces bile, which aids in digestion by breaking down lipids and removing waste in the small intestine.
Producing specific proteins for blood plasma
Production of specific proteins and cholesterol to assist the body in transporting fat
Excess glucose is turned into glycogen for storage which is later converted back to glucose for energy.
Control of blood amino acid levels, which serve as the building blocks for proteins
Hemoglobin processing for use of its iron content (the liver stores iron).
The transformation of toxic ammonia into urea which is the end product of protein metabolism and is removed from the body in the urine.
Removing drugs and other poisons from the blood.
Control bleeding after a cut.
Creating immunological factors to fight infections and eliminating microorganisms from the blood.
Removal of bilirubin from red blood cells as well. The skin and eyes become yellow when bilirubin levels rise.
Byproducts of the liver's breakdown of toxic chemicals are discharged into the bile or blood. By-products of bile enter the intestine and depart the body as feces. The kidneys filter out blood waste materials, which are then expelled from the body as urine.
There are numerous disorders that can harm the liver, including:
Viral infections especially Hepatitis A, B, and C are conditions brought on by viral infections.
Your immune system may malfunction if it unintentionally assaults your liver, which can result in autoimmune liver disorders. These include autoimmune hepatitis and primary biliary cholangitis.
Inherited diseases such as Hemochromatosis and Wilson disease lead to some liver issues arising as a result of a genetic disorder.
Cancer cells or Tumors may form in your liver when abnormal cells proliferate there. These tumors could be malignant liver cancer or benign noncancerous.
Consuming excessive amounts of toxins such as abuse of alcohol can lead to alcoholic fatty liver disease. Consuming excessive amounts of fat causes non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). As the prevalence of obesity and diabetes rises, NAFLD is becoming more widespread.
The purpose of the liver function tests
Blood tests called liver function tests examine several enzymes, proteins, and other chemicals produced by the liver. These tests assess your liver's general condition and include:
Total protein and albumin tests count every protein in the blood. Albumin is a protein made in the liver
The liver and bones contain an enzyme called alkaline phosphatase (ALP), which is crucial for breaking down proteins. ALP levels that are higher than usual could be a sign of some bone illnesses, a blocked bile duct, or liver disease.
Alanine Transaminase (ALT) enzyme is present in the liver and aids in the process of converting proteins into energy for the liver cells. ALT levels rise when the liver is harmed because more of it is discharged into the bloodstream.
An enzyme called aspartate aminotransferase (AST) aids in the metabolism of amino acids. Similar to ALT, AST is often seen in blood at low concentrations. Increased AST levels could be a sign of illness, liver damage, or even muscle injury.
Blood contains the enzyme gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT). Levels that are higher than normal could be a sign of bile duct or liver disease.
The liver produces the waste substance bilirubin. Jaundice, or elevated bilirubin levels, may be a sign of liver disease, injury, or specific anemias.
For bleeding to stop, is aided by the protein Prothrombin found in the liver. The time it takes for your blood to clot is known as Prothrombin Time (PT). Increased PT may be a sign of liver damage, but it can also occur when you use certain blood thinners like warfarin.
Since the liver is a crucial organ in our bodies, it is important to frequently evaluate how it is functioning. In order to diagnose liver diseases like hepatitis, monitor the treatment of liver diseases to see how effectively it is functioning, assess how severely a liver has been damaged or scarred by a condition like cirrhosis, and monitor the side effects of specific medications, liver function tests are performed.
To book Blood collection for Liver Function Tests (LFTs) or liver panel, liver function panel, liver profile hepatic function panel, or LFT, visit www.techohealthsolutions.com to get a free home or office sample collection to your preferred lab under our panel.
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