The liver is an important organ in the human body. It performs many important functions, including digestion and filtering blood. Liver enzymes are substances produced by the liver, which can be measured to determine how well it’s performing its job.
The normal range of values for these tests depends on factors such as age and weight. However, the most common abnormality found during a liver test is increased bilirubin levels in the blood (hyperbilirubinemia).
This happens when there’s too much bilirubin in your body because of a problem with how red blood cells carry it out through your circulatory system or other factors that can affect this process, such as pregnancy or certain medications like tamoxifen (Nolvadex).
Liver blood tests are usually part of a routine checkup. They are used to check for liver damage, disease, and cancer.
- Liver damage is when your body doesn’t function properly because of a problem with your liver or gallbladder. It may cause anemia, tiredness, or weakness. If this happens, it’s time to see your doctor immediately.
- Liver disease occurs when something is wrong with one or more parts within the organ itself – but not necessarily causing any symptoms yet!
This could be caused by viral infections like hepatitis C, which are common among people who inject drugs illegally into their veins over long periods due to having unprotected sex with many partners; alcohol consumption too much consumption increases the risk factors for getting cirrhosis etc.
If your liver test results are abnormal, your doctor may order more tests to determine the cause. This is especially true if you have symptoms caused by liver disease.
The symptoms of a liver disease depend on the cause and may range from mild to severe or even life-threatening.
Fatigue and weakness: Loss of appetite, weight loss, jaundice (yellowing of the skin), and dark urine are common symptoms.
Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain: Abdominal pain can be caused by any number of conditions but is more likely if you have cirrhosis or hepatitis C virus infection.
Vomiting might also indicate bile duct obstruction caused by gallstones or tumors in your liver or gallbladder that block the flow of bile from its ducts into your digestive tract, where it helps break down fats into smaller particles so they can be absorbed by cells lining your intestine for use as fuel for energy production.
Knowing the risk factors can help you prevent or delay liver disease
- Liver disease is more common in men than women and is also more common in people who smoke.
- Hepatitis C and B are major risk factors for liver disease, although other factors, such as alcohol abuse, may also play a role.
You don’t need to do anything special before or after liver function testing.
You can eat and normally drink before the test and then eat or drink as you usually would after the test.
Don’t take any medications that might affect the results of your liver function test, including alcohol, aspirin, or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), diuretics (water pills), blood pressure medication, and other heart disease medicines such as nitroglycerin.
Some tests may require that you fast, which means no food or water for a certain period beforehand. The time you have to fast depends on the test and your doctor’s instructions.
The doctors will help you understand what caused your abnormal test results
If your doctor suspects a certain condition, they may recommend you see a specialist. Your doctor will help you understand what caused your abnormal test results, and if the cause is unknown, they may order more tests to determine the cause.
If your doctor determines that there is no underlying issue with your liver function and recommends no further treatment other than monitoring for future problems, that’s it! You’re free to go back to normal activities (although keep in mind that alcohol consumption should be limited).
Conclusion
Knowing how to interpret a blood test can help your healthcare provider make effective treatment decisions. The liver test results will be discussed with you, and if necessary, your doctor may order additional tests, such as a liver biopsy or CT scan. Each clinic’s liver test price might differ, so you can research and choose the best clinic at an affordable price.
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