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Description

Liver Function Test in London, UK

We know how terrible liver failure is and so no one would like to find his/herself being caught up in its web. This is why we are here to help you test your liver to be sure everything is going as it should or to advise you if things are not going the way they should. Now, let us get you enlightened on what liver function tests are and how we carry them out.

What does the Liver Function Test Entail?

Liver function tests are also known as liver chemistries, and they help to determine the health status of your liver. This is done by determining the level of liver enzymes, proteins and bilirubin in the blood.

We often carry out a liver function test for the following reasons:

  • To check if the liver is infected with hepatitis B and hepatitis C
  • To determine if the symptoms you are experiencing are those of liver disorder
  • To follow up the side effect of some drugs on your liver
  • For those who already have a disease of the liver, to see the progress of the treatment
  • As a form of examination for the presence of some medical conditions like anaemia, diabetes, high blood pressure, or high triglycerides
  • To know your level of alcohol consumption
  • To check for the presence of bladder disease

We can perform many tests on the liver as different tests reveal different things about the different parts of the liver.

Some of the tests we use to check for abnormalities in the liver are the tests that check

  • Albumin
  • Bilirubin
  • Alkaline phosphate (ALP)
  • Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
  • Alanine transaminase (ALT)

We use the AST and ALT test to measure the amount of enzymes your liver releases when responding to a disease or damage. We use the bilirubin test to measure how well your liver disposes of bilirubin, the albumin test to measure your liver’s efficiency in creating albumin and the ASP to examine the bile duct of the liver.

If you want to know about any form of liver test that is recommended for you, please talk to us. We will advise you on what you really need and how to go about it.

The Commonest Liver Function Test We Carry Out

We carry out different types of liver function test so that we can measure the exact amount of proteins and enzymes in your blood because these enzymes and proteins being higher or lesser than normal indicate that there is a problem in the liver.

Some of these tests include

Albumin Test

This albumin is the main protein your liver produces, and it carries out a lot of important functions in the body. Some of these functions include:

  • Providing nourishment for the tissues
  • Preventing fluid leakage from the blood vessels
  • Being a medium for transporting vitamins, hormones and other substances to the entire body

On a normal day, your result for albumin test should range from 3.5-6.0 grams per decilitre (g/dL), but when a person is suffering from poor nutrition, infection, inflammation or kidney disease, the result can become low.

Bilirubin Test

The waste product from the breakdown of red blood cells is bilirubin. This product is always passed through the liver for some processes before it gets passed out through our stool.

0.1-1.2 milligram per decilitre (mg/dL) is the normal range for the total of bilirubin in the blood. There are cases where some inherited diseases can cause the amount of bilirubin in the blood to be higher when the liver is still functioning properly.

Alkaline Phosphate Test (ALP)

ALP is an enzyme that is found in the liver, bile duct and bone. We usually order this test in combination with other different tests.

When the levels of ALP are high, it usually indicates the blockage of the bile, liver inflammation or bone disease.

High levels of ALP are not usually a problem for children and teenagers since their bone is still growing. Pregnant women too, can also have a raise in their levels of ALP. Normally, the range for ALP is usually up to 120U/L in adults.

Aspartate aminotransferase test (AST)

AST is an enzyme that is always found in the heart, liver, muscle and other parts of the body. We usually measure the AST alongside ALT since the levels of AST are not specific for the damage of the liver nut; we usually measure it with the ALT to check for problems in the liver.

A damaged liver allows AST to be released to the bloodstream, so we use high levels of AST to suggest a problem with the muscles or the liver.

Typically, adults usually have their normal range for AST as up to 40 IU/L (international unit per litre). This range is usually higher for infants and young children.

Alanine Transaminase test (ALT)

ALT is always used by the body for the metabolism of protein. Damage in the liver can cause ALT to be released into the blood. This is the cause of the increase of the level of ALT in the blood,

When the ALT is higher than its normal amount in the blood, it usually signifies liver damage.

We, according to the American College of Gastroenterology, do conduct further testing and evaluation for males whose ALT level are above 33 IU.L and females with above 25 IU/L.

We accurately carry out this tests so you can visit us at Suite E, 117a Harley St, Marylebone, London W1G 6AT or call at 020 7183 0244 to book an appointment and get yours done now.

Why We Recommend a Liver Function Test

We recommend the testing of the functions of the liver so that the condition of the liver can be known. The liver is responsible for carrying out some important functions in the body like:

  • Converting the food you eat to nutrients
  • Regulating the clotting of blood
  • Taking out toxic substances from the blood
  • Storing of minerals and vitamins
  • Production of proteins, enzymes, cholesterol and bile
  • Boosting the immune system by making factors that battle with infections
  • Clearing bacteria from the blood
  • Processing potential harmful; substances in the body
  • Always keeping the blood sugar level in check
  • Ensuring hormone balances

The problems of the liver usually put the sick person in a critical condition as these problems are life-threatening.

How We Know a Person Could be Suffering from Liver Disorders

We first suspect the presence of liver disorder by checking for its symptoms. These symptoms are usually backed up with tests to certainty. Some of the symptoms of the liver disorder are

  • Weakness
  • Loss of energy or fatigue
  • Jaundice (yellow eyes and skin)
  • Weight loss
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhoea
  • Vomiting
  • Pains in the abdomen
  • Abnormal bruising or bleeding.

How We Help You Prepare For a Liver Function Test

In preparing for a liver function test, your doctor will give you complete instructions on how you will prepare the portion of the blood sample that will be used for the test.

Some foods may influence the levels of these proteins and enzymes in the body so you may be directed by your doctor to abstain from certain food or drugs for some time. You may even be asked to stay away from food for some period before the test. Whatever the case may be, ensure you continue drinking water before the test.

Wearing a shirt that has sleeves which can be rolled up easily will make it easier for us to collect the blood sample that is needed for the test.

Contact us today on 020 71830244 for your liver function test!

How We Perform a Liver Function Test

If you had your blood drawn from a specialised testing facility, we would take it to our laboratory for testing but, if you do not, then we will undergo some procedures to take out your blood.

  • We will ensure the part of the skin we want to take out blood from is free from germs by cleaning it.
  • We will then wrap an elastic band on your arm so that your veins can be more conspicuous and then we will use a needle to draw out the blood from the visible vein.
  • When we are done with this, a bandage will be put on the puncture site to prevent bleeding; we will then take your blood sample to our laboratory for testing.

The Risks Involved in a Liver Function Test

There are usually no serious risks attached to drawing the blood from the patients. But when taking a blood sample is concerned, the following risks may be involved:

  • Hematoma or internal bleeding
  • Excessive bleeding
  • Fainting
  • Infection

What Happens After the Liver Function Test?

Normal life should continue after the liver testing, but in case you feel lightheaded or faint because of the blood that was drawn from you, please take some rest in the facility before leaving.

Testing for other infections and diseases like hepatitis usually help your doctor diagnose better. We may even choose to do imaging like CT scan or ultrasound or a liver biopsy to narrow down the problem just so that we can help you better.

Contact Us for LFT Test in London

We are truly concerned about your wellbeing and will be very happy if you come to us. We will be happy to give you the information you so desire and carry out your diagnosis. We are available 24/7, so visit us at Suite E, 117a Harley St, Marylebone, London W1G 6AT or call at 020 71830244. We will be expecting you.

Blood London have been providing Private Liver Function Test London on a self-referral basis to patients in Central and Greater London for over 20 years. Simply walk-in weekdays between 9am and 6pm or on weekends between 10am and 2pm, to have your blood taken by a highly experienced professional in our private, Harley Street clinic using some of the best labs in europe.

Please note that when ordering blood tests on a self-request basis, we will forward you the laboratory report without note or comment from our doctors unless you are under their care.

Following the results of your test, if you would like to undergo a consultation, further testing or treatment please feel free to reach out to the clinic and we'll be happy to help.

How Blood London Works

Order your test

Order your test

Select the test that you would like to undergo

Provide your sample

Provide your sample

Go to the Harley Street clinic for your blood draw and pay for your test in person

View your results

View your results

As soon as the results are ready, the will be sent to you by your chosen method

World class partner lab (TDL)

World class partner lab (TDL)

Advice from expert UK doctors

Advice from expert UK doctors

Repeat your tests and track your improvements!

Repeat your tests and track your improvements!

Comprehensive Blood Testing