The deterioration of the liver organ for older patients must be monitored routinely through liver function blood tests. The liver can deteriorate for many reasons. Alcohol consumption can be a major reason for the loss of function by the liver. It’s the number one reason that Americans seek liver function blood tests.
With moderate drinking, the liver can process alcohol fairly safely because of the moderation and slow intake of alcohol. Heavy drinking overwhelms the liver resulting in serious consequences that can cause damage to the liver. A liver clogged with fat causes liver cells to become less efficient at performing their necessary tasks, resulting in the deterioration of one’s nutritional health. Fatty liver is the first stage of liver deterioration in heavy drinkers, and interferes with the distribution of oxygen and nutrients to the liver cells which is critical to proper and balanced liver function. At this stage, liver function blood tests can be a well needed tool to monitor liver status. If the heavy drinking is consistent and the status of fatty liver is constant and the condition persists long enough, the liver cells will die, forming fibrous scar tissue which is the second stage of liver deterioration, or fibrosis. Some liver cells can regenerate with good nutrition and abstinence, however in the last stage of deterioration, or cirrhosis, the damage to the liver cells is the least reversible. The constant monitoring of the liver function blood tests is critical for someone at this stage of liver deterioration.
Liver Function Blood Tests Can Help Prevent Diseases
Liver Diseases According to the American Liver Foundation ranks as the third leading disease-related cause of death for Americans for ages 25 to 59. Common liver disorders include hepatitis and cirrhosis. Many investigators believe that liver damage follows a continuum, progressing from inflammation and swelling to fatty degeneration, cirrhosis and cancer. Because the liver can still function with up to 80 percent deterioration, symptoms are often unclear and may not be noticed until harm is relatively severe. In one study, liver function blood tests and liver biopsies on people with no apparent liver problems showed that all had a degeneration of liver cells, an elevated degree of fat infiltration, an increased amount of scar tissue and other abnormalities that are associated with liver disease. This is a very serious condition that affects millions of Americans which elevates the need for liver function blood tests. The access to these tests for degenerative liver patients is very critical. Constant monitoring of the essential liver enzymes helps manage the liver health.
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) liver tests for enzymes that process amino acids and found inside healthy liver cells. Gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) is found in liver cells of the bile duct walls and is one of many liver function blood tests for enzymes that helps amino acids travel across cell plasma membranes. Alkaline phosphatase ("alk phos") is an important enzyme in all cell types but has the highest concentration in bone, liver, intestines and placenta. Other liver function blood tests are compared to this when evaluating ones liver function status. Bilirubin is a normal byproduct of red blood cell recycling which is the main function of the liver. High Bilirubin levels cause jaundice (i.e., yellow skin color) or icterus (i.e., yellowing of the eyes) Albumin is created by the liver and is a major blood protein that helps transport other molecules in the bloodstream. Many liver tests are based off of this result and is part of a common liver function blood tests.
Total protein is similar to albumin and combines many different blood proteins (i.e., albumin, immunoglobulins, clotting proteins, etc.) It’s an important liver enzyme to monitor in liver patients. Ammonia is measured to evaluate the normal process of removing the amino group present on all amino acids produces ammonia. It is typically processed by the liver into urea, which can be excreted by the kidneys. In a liver function blood test profile, ammonia is a requirement. Prothrombin time and INR are typically considered a measure of blood-clotting function. As a liver function blood test, the ability to clot is very important.
How Often are Liver Function Blood Tests Needed?
All of these tests are very common blood chemistries that should be monitored routinely with patients that have some form of liver deterioration. It depends on the level of deterioration which will dictate how often liver function blood tests are needed. The over usage of alcohol over sustained periods of time is the number one reason Americans are experiencing liver malfunctions. A great resource is the HYPERLINK "http://liversociety.org/" Liver Society. This .ORG provides a wealth of information. Now with online lab services that provide liver function blood tests, the ability to monitor one’s liver status has become much more manageable.