The liver is a vital organ in the human body. It is located near the stomach in the torso of a human being. The liver performs multiple functions that are vital for human life. The liver performs the functions of synthesizing certain items including cholesterol, carbohydrates and the like. It breaks down insulin and hemoglobin. It also breaks down certain toxic substances which, when consumed in moderation are easily broken down by the liver. Excessive consumption of toxic substances including alcohol can cause liver damage or death due to excessive liver damage.
The liver thus performs several vital tasks in the body and is essential to the existence of a human being. It is possible that any of these functions might not be performed properly. In such a case, a patient will suffer from health problems related to the absence or abnormal quantity of the component that has not been properly processed in the liver. This makes it impossible to test the liver for all its functions simultaneously. Each different function of the liver produces a different end product and therefore, when testing for liver disease or problems, a patient's blood is drawn and separately analyzed for each different type of hormone or chemical that is supposed to be present. Liver testing is usually performed when some visible symptom has been identified in a patient. For problems like jaundice, the symptoms are fairly obvious and easily noticeable. These include yellowing of the eyes and sometimes of the skin as well.
A liver function tests covers seven different products that are expected to be found in the blood within the normal range in a healthy person. These are, Bilirubin which is a pigment that is found in the bile and urine, Alkaline Phosphatase and Albumin which is one of the proteins produced by the liver. A liver function test also tests for the level of Alanine aminotransferase which is related with hepatitis. Aspartate aminotransferase is a substance that is found in the liver and is tested for, when conducting a liver test. A liver test also checks the total protein in the blood stream. When the liver is functioning properly it helps to synthesize the proteins in the food we eat. These proteins are vital for building up body tissue and repairing damaged tissues. In a person with liver function problems, protein may not be absorbed properly. This can cause a serious health risk because those proteins might end up in other parts of the body which could result in serious life threatening consequences.
Submitted by M T on April 14, 2010 at 12:15