Understanding liver function blood test results

The liver creates various chemicals the are carried out to the bloodstream. Elevated levels of some of these chemicals may indicate a damage to the liver or a specific liver disease. By testing their levels in a blood test, we can try to identify the problem even before its symptoms.

Liver function blood test usually include the following:

• ALT (also called SGPT / Alanine Transaminase)
  This is an enzyme that assists proteins to process. High level of ALT may suggest some level of liver injury. The normal levels of ALT is 5-40 units per liter (range can vary in different labs).
• AST (also called SGOT)
  This enzyme is located mainly in liver cells. It’s levels are usually raised when these is some sort of a liver damage or injury (just like ALT). The normal levels of AST is between 5-45, which is very similar to ALT enzyme.
• ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase)
  Alkaline phosphatase is an enzyme related tothe biliary tract. If ALP is elevated, and high levels of alkaline phosphatase been found in the bloodstream, the cause might be a some sort of liver disorder (including fatty liver). This test requires the patient to fast for at least 6 hours prior taking the blood test. If some drugs are used on regular basis, it might affect the results. Normal rates of ALP is 44-147 units per liter.
• Albumin
  This is the core protein created by the liver, that passes into the bloodstream. The capability to make albumin (and many other proteins) is influence in some types of liver disorders. The level of albumin might decrease in some types of liver disorders. Normal rates of albumin are between 3.4 to 5.4 deciliter.
• Bilirubin
  This chemical is a direct result of hemoglobin when its released – the molecule that ties oxygen into the red blood cells. T causes of elevated bilirubin can be a liver disorder. High level of biliribin also makes you jaundiced (‘yellow’). It can affect your skin and eye color. In the bilirubin blood test, there are some types of bilirubin used:
  • Direct Bilirubin (unconjugated bilirubin) – pass through the liver. Elevation of direct bilirubin level can occur in various liver and bile duct conditions, including fatty liver. It is especially high if the flow of bile is obstructed. Normal level of direct bilirubin is between 0 to 0.3 deciliter.
  • Indirect Bilirubin (conjugated bilirubin) – doesn’t pass through the liver. Elevated (high) levels of indirect bilirubin might take place when there is immoderate breakdown of red blood cells.
  • Total Bilirubin – this is the total amount of direct + indirect bilirubin. Normal level of total bilirubin is between 0.3 to 1.9 deciliter.

Related articles:

1. Liver Enzymes and Exercise

Tags: ALT, Blood Test, Diagnosis, Liver Enzymes