What exactly is a doctor looking for in a LFT "Liver Function Test" if my liver has slightly elevated levels?
960828
I would not worry just yet lots of things can cause elevated liver counts.like fat intake,Tylenol and many other minor things. just wait and see what the doc says.Mine gets elevated quite often usually by tylenol and or the foods i eat
1172784
The doctors take a liver test just to be sure that the disease is not effecting the liver.  Some of the medications that are given to control blood glucose have an effect on the liver.
376416
I think it's to check and see how well your liver is functioning. I work with adolescent boys and unfortunately, they are on various psychotropic drugs that can have damaging effects on the liver. The doctor usually orders the metabolic panel to check up on them. \nThe liver comes in contact with everything we put in our bodies so we must not neglect it. \nHope this helps.
225719
Hi Max - Of course this is a question for your doctor.  No one here is qualified to give medical advice.  That said, there are some natural remedies that many believe are helpful in detoxifying/cleansing like Milk thistle, and the such.  Go to your local health food store and ask for something that detoxifies the liver.  BTW, congrats on getting sober!  That is truly a grace from God.  Blessings to you!
839660
Your doctor can order lab work to see how well the body is clearing out toxins in the blood. If these are normal one can conclude the liver is functioning normally. Also, the doctor can palpate or feel the liver for size and firmness. We want a normal size and not hard or nobby. A sample of liver tissue can be taken through biopsy and be evaluated.
41633
SGOT stands for serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase. It is sometimes also abbreviated as AST (for aspartate transaminase). It is one of the blood enzymes that can be found in the liver, muscles, and blood, so if these are damaged, they leak out into the blood circulation so the amount of SGOT rises. Unfortunately, it is not very specific to any particular body part/system (because it could be due to a problem with your liver, or muscles, or blood), so if your SGOT is high, look for other enzymes (e.g. the SGPT) to help hone in on the precise cause.
993363
hi,,,\n\nit is very fine for ur mum to pass such a liver scan, because it is a procedure of safety to check her liver picture and architecture.....\nin case that ur mum liver enzymes are high, it is better to follow such  investigations with scaning  image...\nthe elevation of liver enzymes could be just a normal sign for many body metabolism,,, (( like high protein and fat diet -- sever dehadration )) or could be due to large doses of drug intake (( especially those metabolised in liver ___ like ASPIRIN )), or may be due to a primary disease affecting the liver....\n\ngo a head ,, do the scan,,,, and u can replay me here at YAHOO ANSWERS....\n\nTAKE CARE,,,,, SLEEP TIGHT--- WAKE BRIGHT...
548904
Standard Liver Function Tests\n\nTotal Protein (TP)\nThe liver produces most of the plasma proteins in the body making a measure of the amount of protein in the blood useful. Reference range (60-80 g/L).\n\nAlbumin (Alb)\nAlbumin is a protein made specifically by the liver, and can be measured cheaply and easily. It is the main constituent of total protein; the remaining fraction is called globulin (including e.g. the immunoglobulins). Albumin levels are decreased in chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis. It is also decreased in nephrotic syndrome, where it is lost through the urine. Poor nutrition or states of protein catabolism may also lead to hypoalbuminaemia. The half-life of albumin is approximately 20 days. Albumin is not considered to be an especially useful marker of liver synthetic function, coagulation factors (see below) are much more sensitive. The reference range is 30-50 g/L. (3.0-5.0 mg/dL)\n\nlanine transaminase (ALT)\nAlanine transaminase (ALT), also called Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase (SGPT) or Alanine aminotransferrase (ALAT) is an enzyme present in hepatocytes (liver cells). When a cell is damaged, it leaks this enzyme into the blood, where it is measured. ALT rises dramatically in acute liver damage, such as viral hepatitis or paracetamol (acetaminophen) overdose. Elevations are often measured in multiples of the upper limit of normal (ULN). The reference range is 15-45 U/L in most laboratories.\n\nAspartate transaminase (AST)\nAspartate transaminase (AST) also called Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase (SGOT) or aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) is similar to ALT in that it is another enzyme associated with liver parenchymal cells. It is raised in acute liver damage. It is also present in red cells, and cardiac and skeletal muscle. The ratio of AST:ALT is useful in differentiating between causes of acute hepatitis.\n\nAlkaline phosphatase (ALP)\nAlkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme in the cells lining the biliary ducts of the liver. ALP levels in plasma will rise with large bile duct obstruction, intrahepatic cholestasis or infiltrative diseases of the liver. ALP is also present in bone and placental tissue, so it is higher in growing children (as their bones are being remodelled). The reference range is usually 30-120 U/L.\n\n\nTotal bilirubin (TBIL)\nBilirubin is a breakdown product of heme (a part of hemoglobin in red blood cells). The liver is responsible for clearing this, excreting it out through bile into the intestine. Problems with the liver or blockage of the drainage of bile will cause increased levels of bilirubin, as will increased haemolysis of red cells.\n\nDirect bilirubin, or conjugated bilirubin is often measured in tandem, especially if the total bilirubin level is elevated. Bilirubin is unconjugated before the liver modifies it for excretion. It is dangerous in babies, as it can pass the blood-brain barrier causing kernicterus.\n\nThere is more testing that a doctor can do if any of the above tests are abnormal.
124919
well, yeah, if your liver isn't functioning properly, and it isn't filtering correctly, but your liver doesn't release potassium, so it would have to be something else that is releasing the extra levels of potassium.\n\nDo you have edema? \nDo you have heart problems? Sounds like your sodium potassium pump may be starting to have problems, have you been burned severely or any severe bleeding?\nThere are many causes.
424403
A liver enzyme is a protein that helps to speed up a chemical reaction in the liver. Liver function tests are blood tests that are used to evaluate various functions of the liver - for example, metabolism, storage, filtration and excretion, which are often performed by liver enzymes. However, not all liver function tests are measures of enzyme function. \n\nDescription\n\nThe liver is an important internal organ because it performs many functions. It helps detoxify the many toxins in the body, makes proteins that are used to help clot the blood (clotting factors) and other proteins that help draw fluid into our blood vessels (e.g., albumin). Liver function tests are blood tests that include alkaline phosphatase, prothrombin time (PT, a measure of blood clotting), serum bilirubin and serum albumin. The most commonly used indicators of liver damage are the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), formally referred to as SPGT and SGOT. These are enzymes normally found in liver cells that leak out of these cells and make their way to the blood when liver cells are injured. The ALT is felt to be a more specific indicator of liver inflammation, as AST is also found in other organs, such as the heart and skeletal muscle. In acute injury to the liver, as in viral hepatitis, the level of the ALT and AST may be used as a general measure of the degree of liver inflammation or damage. In chronic liver disease, this is not the case, for these enzymes may be entirely within the normal range, even in the presence of cirrhosis (scarring of the liver). Increased levels of ALT and AST can have a large number of clinical implications. Elevated levels might involve hepatocellular disease, active cirrhosis, metastatic liver tumor, infection or toxic hepatitis, severe burns, pancreatitis, myocardial infarction (heart attack), trauma, severe burns, acute hemolytic anemia, crushing injuries, gangrene or shock. Alkaline phosphatase is the most frequently used test to detect obstruction in the biliary system. Elevation of this enzyme may be found in a large number of disorders as common as gallstone disease, alcohol abuse and drug-induced hepatitis, or in less common disorders, such as primary biliary cirrhosis or biliary tumors. Although this enzyme is found both in the liver and the bile, it leaks into the bloodstream in a manner similar to that of the ALT and AST. Alkaline phosphatase is also found in other organs, such as bone, placenta and intestine. Prothrombin time (PT) is a one measure of blood clotting. It may be elevated when there is damage to the liver, meaning that there is a greater tendency to bleed. PT is also used to monitor the appropriate dose of coumadin (warfarin) for certain patients who need blood-thinners (anti-coagulation). Low serum albumin may cause blood vessels to be leaky and allow fluid to accumulate in the abdomen (ascites) or elsewhere in the body. Serum bilirubin is usually elevated in patients with jaundice.
811214
I had the same problem, but before I tell u my story, did you test him against all the Hepatitis strands (A,B &C) if u did and negative then let me tell u my story, could apply to him.\n\nI spent months doing tests and I visited around 6 different doctors trying to find out what was wrong with my liver. Of course, I took the tests over and over again in different labs because liver tests are often not very accurate so I had to make sure.\n\nAnyways, to cut a long story short I discovered that I had no physical disease but I had a hereditary problem called "fatty liver syndrome" this bascially means that my liver accumulates fats more than normal people. There is no cure, what you can do is cut down on fatty food like cheese, burgers, milk, pizza etc and lose weight. In other words switch to healthy food, this is not easy of course, but it is a must to avoid damage to the liver. \n\nTalk to your doctor about fatty liver syndrome and check with his parents to see if they had a similar condition, better yet have them tested because it is hereiditary.\n\nGood luck.
532518
Well, there are quite a few but remember your doctor is the best judge of that.  Ask him/her to run a liver panel on you if you are concerned.  Takes about five minutes and is the best approach.\n\nFirst off, I would look at things I'm doing that could cause liver disfunction - drinking alchol, medications, not enough exercise, etc... but some symptoms are:\n\nSome common liver disease symptoms include the following, each of which are described briefly below:\n\njaundice \ncholestasis \nliver enlargement \nportal hypertension \nascites \nliver encephalopathy \nliver failure \nWhat is jaundice?\nJaundice is a yellow discoloration of the skin and eye whites due to abnormally high levels of bilirubin (bile pigment) in the bloodstream. Urine is usually dark because of the bilirubin excreted through the kidneys. High levels of bilirubin may be attributed to inflammation or other abnormalities of the liver cells or blockage of the bile ducts. Sometimes jaundice is caused by the breakdown of a large number of red blood cells, which can occur in newborns. Jaundice is usually the first sign, and sometimes the only sign, of liver disease.\n\nWhat is cholestasis?\nCholestasis is reduced or stopped bile flow. Bile flow may be blocked inside or outside the liver. Symptoms may include:\n\njaundice \ndark urine \npale stool \nbone loss \neasy bleeding \nitching \nsmall, spider-like blood vessels visible in the skin \nenlarged spleen \nfluid in the abdominal cavity \nchills \npain from the biliary tract or pancrea \nenlarged gallbladder \nSome causes of cholestasis include:\n\nhepatitis \nalcoholic liver disease \nprimary biliary cirrhosis \ndrug effects \nhormonal changes during pregnancy \na stone in the bile duct \nbile duct narrowing \nbile duct cancer \npancreatic cancer \ninflammation of the pancreas \nWhat is liver enlargement?\nLiver enlargement is usually an indicator of liver disease, although there are usually no symptoms associated with a slightly enlarged liver (hepatomegaly). Symptoms of a grossly enlarged liver include abdominal discomfort or "feeling full."\n\nWhat is portal hypertension?\nPortal hypertension is abnormally high blood pressure in the portal vein, which supplies the liver with blood from the intestine. Portal hypertension may be due to increased blood pressure in the portal blood vessels or resistance to blood flow through the liver. Portal hypertension can lead to the growth of collateral vessels that connect to the general circulation, bypassing the liver. When this occurs, substances that are normally removed by the liver pass into the general circulation. Symptoms of portal hypertension may include:\n\na distended abdominal cavity (ascites) \nbleeding of the varicose veins at the lower end of the esophagus and in the stomach lining \nWhat is ascites?\nAscites is fluid build-up in the abdominal cavity, caused by fluid leaks from the surface of the liver and intestine. Ascites due to liver disease usually accompanies other liver disease characteristics such as portal hypertension. Symptoms of ascites may include a distended abdominal cavity, which causes discomfort and shortness of breath. Causes of ascites may include:\n\nliver cirrhosis (especially cirrhosis caused by alcoholism) \nalcoholic hepatitis \nchronic hepatitis \nobstruction of the hepatic vein \nAscites can also be caused by non-liver disorders.\n\nWhat is liver encephalopathy?\nLiver encephalopathy is the deterioration of brain function due to toxic substances building up in the blood, which are normally removed by the liver. Liver encephalopathy is also called portal-systemic encephalopathy, hepatic encephalopathy, or hepatic coma. Symptoms may include:\n\nimpaired consciousness \nchanges in logical thinking, personality, and behavior \nmood changes \nimpaired judgement \ndrowsiness \nconfusion \nsluggish speech and movement \ndisorientation \nloss of consciousness \ncoma \nWhat is liver failure?\nLiver failure is severe deteriorat
870836
You are having these symptoms because your liver is decompensating; in other words, it is not able to perform the most basic functions to process your  food & medicines. The liver is a very tough organ and will function with little indication that it is damaged until it is so scarred that blood cannot effectively pass through it. This happens when it is functioning at less than 10% of it's capability. That is what is happening to you now.  I wish I could tell you otherwise, but at this point a transplant is most likely your only option ( BUT- I'm not a doctor!).  I hope you are seeing a hepatologist or gastroenterologist. If not, you need to get to one ASAP because any other doctor is not trained to give you the answers you need. I know several people who have had transplants, and all of them are doing great! If the ascites is due to alcohol, then you will have to attend a group such as AA for 6 months before they will allow you to be on a transplant list. Livers are very hard to get, they want to make sure if you get one, you'll take care of it. Best wishes to you.
804941
While a continued regimen of antibiotics is good to eliminate all trace of the disease, it is hard on the liver. Maybe the doc felt you were safe and it was best to spare the liver of the extra work load.  All medications have to be filtered out of the blood by the liver.
244314
Try doing a 'net search on "liver congestion" or "liver overload."  The liver has over 500 known functions.  A liver that is overloaded and incapable of taking care of body needs can cause a wide variety of symptoms. This is because the liver has so many separate and distinct functions, affecting health in many ways. \n\nRemoving poisons from your body is an important function of the liver.  In fact, this is one of the main reasons the liver becomes overloaded.  Poisons may enter your body in many ways.  You may inhale the poisons sprayed on your lawn, insecticides and household cleaning solvents, or chemicals  used in a hobby, such as photography.  These are all known poisons and should be avoided as much as possible.\n\nAlso, medications purchased and used so freely in our culture, put a significant extra load on the liver and can eventually be harmful.\n\nChemicals used as preservatives, stabilizers, artificial flavorings, artificial colorings and to aid in the processing of foods are all potential problems regarding liver function.  Add to all this smog, aerosol sprays (perfumes, hair sprays, deodorants, room fresheners, insect repellents, dusting aids), alcohol, and many other varied poisons in our environment and you can see how the liver may become overworked and ultimately damaged.\n\nThe liver is a major storage area for carbohydrates and proteins.  Ordinarily the liver stores very little fat; it should normally contain 3% to 5%.  There are several reasons that too much fat or fat-like substances accumulate in the liver.  People with poor protein intake have more fat in the liver because certain substances in protein are essential in breaking down fat.  Without these substances, fat is deposited rather than used. Conversely, too much protein in the diet causes a liver overload because the liver must eliminate the waste products from the protein breakdown.  Consumption of too many refined carbohydrates and/or too much alcohol can cause an elevation of triglycerides, which are fat in nature and accumulate in the liver, causing congestion and interference with normal liver function.\n\nSymptoms of liver overload may be aches and pains, severe fatigue, digestive disturbances, swelling, a constant chilled feeling, and poor appetite. There may be an inability to tolerate medications due to improper breakdown and elimination of the drugs, with an increased number of side effects.
1075149
Perhaps you are just suffering from jaundice.  You need to go through certain tests to be sure\n\nSome signs of liver damage are: \nfeeling tired or weak \nlosing your appetite \nfeeling sick to your stomach \nlosing weight \nbruising or bleeding easily, such as nosebleeds \nbloating due to fluid buildup in the abdomen (ascites*) \ndeclining mental functions \nAlso, signs of liver damage include: skin and the whites of the eyes turn yellow, a condition called jaundice, and may cause swelling in the legs and the abdomen. You cannot live without a liver that works. If your liver fails, your doctor may put you on a waiting list for a liver transplant.   {Though this doesnt seem to be the case with you}\n\nTherefore, Notify your doctor immediately if you develop any of the following signs of liver damage: \nnausea \nvomiting \nabdominal pain \nunusual fatigue \nloss of appetite \nyellow skin or eyes \nitching \nclay-colored stools, or \ndark urine \n.
744722
lab test for kidney disease: albumin, calcium, creatinine, estimated GFR, creatinine clearance, electrolytes, erythropoietin, microalbumin, parathyroid hormone, phosphate, potassium, prealbumin, renin, urinalysis, urine culture, vitamin D\n\nlab test for liver functions: Liver panel, AST, ALP, ALT, Albumin, Bilirubin, PT, AFP, Total protein