Liver Function Test (LFT) in Hauz Khas, Delhi - Genx Diagnostics
Due to our busy schedules and hectic lifestyle, we are not paying full attention to our overall health and to our liver health specifically. It’s an organ which performs dynamic functions, and is the only organ which possesses regenerating power in our body. So a good way to take care of your liver health is get a LFT done at Gen X Diagnostics in Hauz Khas. Gen X is one of the premiere pathological lab in South Delhi area.
What are liver enzymes?
These are proteins that are present in our body, each of them having an unique function. Enzymes help to catalyze some of the most vital chemical reactions in your body.
AST or SGOT (aspartate aminotransferase) and ALT or SGPT (alkaline amino transferase) are the most sensitive and most widely used liver enzymes for liver function tests LFT. These two enzymes are present in our liver cells and to a lesser degree in our muscle cells. When liver gets injured or damaged due to any disease, the liver cells spill these enzymes into blood stream. Due to this reason the levels of AST and ALT are increased in blood which is a clear signal of liver disease.
Other blood tests related to liver are measurements of some of the other enzymes found in liver such as alkaline phosphatase, 5’nucleotidase, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT).
What is a Liver Function Test?
Liver function tests are done to monitor health of your liver. LFT indicates health of your liver by measuring levels of proteins, liver enzymes and bilirubin in your blood. LFT also helps monitor the progression and treatment of an existing disease such as liver cancer, fatty liver disease or hepatitis. If your liver function tests are abnormal, you may need to have additional tests done, such as imaging or a liver biopsy. You may get a Liver Function Test done at Gen X Diagnostics located at Hauz Khas.
LFT mainly have three categories
- Protein
- Albumin test
- Total Protein test
- Liver enzymes
- Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) test
- Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) test
- Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) test
- Bilirubin
- Test for Bilirubin, Total
- Test for Bilirubin, Direct
Albumin test –The main protein made by liver is albumin. The albumin test measures the level of albumin in blood. A below normal result indicates that liver is not functioning properly. Normal range for albumin is 35 -50gms/L. Low albumin is a result of poor nutrition, kidney disease, infection, and inflammation.
The total protein test –it measures total amount of protein in blood that is albumin and globulin. The test also measures the ratio of albumin to globulin in blood which is called “A/G” ratio. This test is useful in evaluating patients for nutritional status, liver disease, protein losing renal and gastrointestinal disease.
Alanine aminotransferase is an enzyme found in liver cells. Its function is to convert protein into energy for liver cells. If the cells in which this enzyme is found get injured then they spill this enzyme into blood stream. An increased level of ALT over 1000 units per litre is caused by hepatitis or injury from drugs. Normal range is 25 international units per litre(IU/L)in males.Levels above normal range require further testing and evaluation.
Aspartate aminotransferase is an enzyme found in liver. It helps metabolize amino acids. An increased level of AST indicate aproblem with your liver or muscles. If only ALT is increased while AST is normal it indicates heart or muscle disease.normal range is 36 U/L and maybe higher in infants and young children.
Alkaline phosphatase is an enzyme found in liver and bones as well. It is important for breaking down proteins. An increase in ALP may indicate liver damage or disease, such as blocked bile duct. ALP maybe increased permanently in infants and adolescents because their bones are growing and also in pregnant women. Normal range in adults is 20-40IU/L.
Bilirubin Total is used to detect an increased level of bilirubin in the blood. It can be used to determine the cause of jaundice and diagnose other liver diseases and also check for blockage of bile ducts. Normal range for total bilirubin is0.1-1miligram per deciliter mg/dL.
Bilirubin direct measures a form of bilirubin that is combined with other compound in the liver. Bilirubin direct only increases in liver disease.