The liver is one of the body’s most important organs, and many people don’t realize how much this one organ does to regulate critical functions.
With this being the case, it’s important to have your liver checked regularly because symptoms of a problem with the liver are not always obvious, and if you wait until there is already an issue the ideal time for corrective action has likely already passed.
Our company is a nationwide provider of health testing, for the liver as well as all other bodily systems. We offer fast, easy and affordable online access to these critical tests, and today we’re going to look at the different variables our liver tests check for and how these results can impact a person’s health.
The liver is the part of the body responsible for filtering and clearing the blood from harmful substances, breaking down nutrients, forming blood clotting proteins and storing energy. When you list out everything the liver does, it becomes more evident why it’s so important to understand if there are any issues.
Protein chemicals in the liver called enzymes are what make all these things happen. When you get a liver function test done, what’s being checked are the levels of different categories of enzymes. If the levels of one of more of these enzymes are off, it’s a sign of an issue with the liver.
A liver screening checks for the following enzymes:
- AST & ALT – These are the enzymes in the liver cells.
- Total Protein – Almost all proteins are synthesized in the liver, so an issue with the overall count can mean an issue with the liver.
- Albumin – These molecules are produced in the liver and they keep fluids in the vascular system.
- Bilirubin – A by-product of red blood cell breakdown, if the levels are high it can indicate a problem with the liver.
- Alkaline Phosphatase – This is synthesized in the liver and its levels are important for diagnosing several diseases.
As you can see, there are many components of liver screening and issues with one or more of these levels can mean a problem with liver function.
Diseases of the liver can be hereditary or the result of external factors like a virus, obesity, or the use of drugs and/or alcohol. Testing regularly is very important because liver disease can be difficult to diagnose without these metrics and the symptoms vary significantly.
Liver screening is a good idea for anyone, but especially people with high cholesterol who are having it treated, those who show evidence of jaundice, people with a family history of liver disease, who experience sudden itchiness all over the body and/or have a tendency to bruise or bleed easily.
If you think a liver test could be beneficial to your health, we offer an easy solution which can be scheduled on your time, exclusively online and is so affordable insurance isn’t needed. We also provide a telehealth conversation with a real doctor who can help you understand the results.
Schedule your liver test using our easy, affordable and convenient service and take control of your health today!