>>>Liver Function Tests

What does the liver do?
The liver is in the upper right part of the abdomen. The functions of the liver include: storing glycogen (fuel for the body) which is made from sugars; helping to process fats and proteins from digested food; making proteins that are essential for blood to clot (clotting factors); processing many medicines which you may take; helping to remove poisons and toxins from the body.
The liver also makes bile. This is a greenish-yellow fluid that contains bile acids, bile pigments and waste products such as bilirubin. Liver cells pass bile into bile ducts inside the liver. The bile flows down these ducts into larger and larger ducts, eventually leading to the common bile duct. The gallbladder is like a 'cul-de-sac' reservoir of bile which comes off the common bile duct. After you eat, the gallbladder squeezes bile back into the common bile duct and down into the duodenum (the first part of the gut after the stomach). Bile in the gut helps to digest fats
When are these tests ordered?
One or more of these tests may be ordered when symptoms suspicious of a liver condition are noticed. These include: jaundice, dark urine, or light-colored bowel movements; nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea; loss of appetite; vomiting of blood; bloody or black bowel movements; swelling or pain in the belly; unusual weight change; or fatigue or loss of stamina. One or more of these tests may also be ordered when a person has been or may have been exposed to a hepatitis virus; has a family history of liver disease; has excessive alcohol intake; or is taking a drug that can cause liver damage.
Many patients with early or mild to moderate liver disease may have few if any symptoms. Liver disease may be first detected through routine blood testing that is performed as part of a physical.
This liver test detects abnormal levels of bilirubin and urobilinogen in urine, raised levels can indicate liver disease.
This test is suitable for you to do at home and can indicate liver disease. This test is simple to use and takes only 60 seconds.
This test has proven 98% accurate in laboratory testing.
This test is intended as an initial indication of elevated chemical markers and not conclusive of specific diagnosis. Further testing and consultation with a GP is necessary to confirm the presence of a specific disease or health condition.
there are two different tests of bilirubin often used together (especially if a person has jaundice): total bilirubin measures all the bilirubin in the blood; direct bilirubin measures a form that is conjugated (combined with another compound) in the liver.
Other tests such as liver biopsy, ultrasound scan, other types of scan, etc, may be needed to clarify the cause of a liver disorder, and/or to monitor its progress.
Bilirubin
The protein bilirubin is the waste product formed when red blood cells die and haemoglobin is broken down. In healthy individuals, bilirubin is metabolized by liver. An above normal level of bilirubin in the urine is indicative of liver disease. If your test results indicate ‘abnormal’ (mild, moderate, or severe), please seek the advice of your doctor.
Urobilinogen
The protein urobilinogen is formed in the intestines by bacterial action from the protein bilirubin. This is then absorbed and passed to the liver and urine. An above normal level of urobilinogen in the urine is indicative of liver disease. If your test results indicate ‘abnormal’ (mild, moderate, or severe), please seek the advice of your doctor
Liver Function Tests - SENT IN DISCREET FIRST CLASS PACKAGING - £16.99 post free to all UK destinations. (product code 1LFT)