Liver Function Test

How LFT (Liver Function Test) Cures Elevated Liver Enzymes

Do you know what LFT is? Most people don't. LFT is the acronym for Liver Function Test. It's a blood test that checks how well your liver is working. Elevated liver enzymes are often a sign that something is wrong with your liver and that you need to take an LFT.

People with elevated liver enzymes may have fatty liver disease, hepatitis, or cirrhosis. If you have any of these diseases, it's important to get treatment right away. LFT can help your doctor diagnose and treat these diseases.

This comprehensive guide will tell you everything you need to know about LFTs, from what they are to how they are used to diagnose and treat elevated liver enzymes.

LFT Test - An Overview

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LFT is a blood test that measures the levels of certain enzymes and proteins in your blood. These enzymes and proteins are produced by your liver. The test can help show whether your liver is damaged or diseased. It can also help find out how well your liver is working.

There are two types of LFTs: quantitative and qualitative.

• Quantitative tests measure the amount of enzymes or proteins in your blood. Your doctor may order a quantitative LFT if you have symptoms of liver damage or disease.
• Qualitative tests check for the presence of certain enzymes or proteins. Your doctor may order a qualitative LFT if you have been exposed to a substance that could damage your liver, such as alcohol or certain drugs.

Most LFTs measure the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). These enzymes are found in your liver cells. When your liver is damaged, these enzymes are released into your blood. Other LFT tests may also measure the level of bilirubin in your blood. Bilirubin is a substance that's produced when your liver breaks down red blood cells. High levels of bilirubin can cause jaundice, which is a yellowing of the skin and eyes. Your doctor will interpret your LFT results based on several factors, including your age, sex, overall health, and medical history. Book an appointment & Get test done with the best offer on liver function test price

Why Is There a Need For LFT Test?

LFT is done to:

• Check if you have liver disease or damage.
• Find out how well your liver is working.
• See if the treatment for hepatitis is working.
• Monitor the side effects of drugs that can harm the liver. These include acetaminophen, some antibiotics, some cancer treatments, and others.

Signs and Symptoms You Need LFT Test

You may need an LFT if you have signs and symptoms of liver disease, such as fatigue, yellowing of your skin or eyes (jaundice), dark urine, pain in your abdomen, or easy bruising. You may also need an LFT if you're taking a drug that can damage your liver or if you have a history of liver disease.

An LFT may also be done to check for a liver injury if you have certain conditions, such as alcoholism or hemochromatosis. Hemochromatosis is a disorder that causes your body to absorb too much iron from food.

If you have hepatitis B or C, you may need an LFT every few months to see how well your liver is working and whether the treatment is working.

Your doctor may recommend an LFT even if you don't have symptoms of liver disease. For example, if you're at risk for hepatitis C, your doctor may recommend an LFT to check for the virus. You're at risk for hepatitis C if you:

• Are a current or former injection drug user
• Have had a blood transfusion or organ transplant before 1992
• Have HIV/AIDS
• Have been exposed to the hepatitis C virus, such as through needle stick injury or contact with the blood of someone who has hepatitis C

You may also need an LFT if you take a drug that can damage your liver. These drugs include acetaminophen (Tylenol), some antibiotics, and some cancer treatments. Be sure to tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you take.

You may need other tests if your LFT results are abnormal. These tests can help find out what's causing your liver enzymes to be elevated. They can also help find out how much damage has been done to your liver.

Other tests may include:

• Imaging tests. These tests create pictures of your liver. They can help find tumors, cysts, or other abnormalities. Types of imaging tests used to evaluate the liver include ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT) scan. 
• Blood tests. These tests check for substances that are produced when your liver is damaged. Examples include alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and prothrombin time (PT).
• Liver biopsy. In this procedure, a small sample of tissue is taken from your liver and examined under a microscope. A liver biopsy can help determine the type of liver damage you have and how much damage has been done to your liver.
• ERCP (Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography). In this procedure, a long, flexible tube (endoscope) is passed through your mouth and throat, then down your esophagus and stomach into your small intestine. A dye is injected through the endoscope so that your doctor can see the ducts that carry bile from your liver to your small intestine.

Your doctor will interpret your LFT results based on several factors, including:

• Your age
• Sex
• Overall health
• Medical history
• The medications you're taking
• Results of other tests, such as imaging tests or blood tests

Things to Keep In Mind When Going For LFT Treatment

If your doctor prescribes a medication to treat your liver disease, be sure to take it exactly as prescribed.

Do not skip doses, and do not stop taking the medication just because you feel better. If you stop taking the medication too soon, your symptoms may return.

In some cases, you may need to take medication for the rest of your life.

Be sure to let your doctor know if you have any side effects from the medication. Some side effects can be serious. For example, some medications used to treat hepatitis C can cause severe fatigue and muscle aches. These side effects usually go away after a few weeks or months of treatment. On the other hand, some side effects, such as liver damage, can be permanent.

It's important to see your doctor for follow-up appointments. During these appointments, your doctor will check your LFT results and look for any signs of liver damage. If you have hepatitis C, you may need to have an LFT every few months to check on your liver function.

If you're at risk for hepatitis C, or if you take a medication that can damage your liver, be sure to tell your doctor about any changes in your health, such as fatigue, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, yellowing of your skin or eyes (jaundice), dark urine, or light-colored stools. These could be signs of liver damage.

It's also important to get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B. These viruses can further damage your liver if you have hepatitis C. The hepatitis A vaccine is given as two shots, six to 18 months apart. The hepatitis B vaccine is given as three shots over a six-month period.

If you have any questions about LFT treatment, be sure to ask your doctor. And remember, the best way to prevent liver disease is to avoid activities that put you at risk, such as using illegal drugs or sharing needles. You can also lower your risk by drinking alcohol only in moderation and getting vaccinated against hepatitis A and B.

Who Needs LFT Treatment?

The liver enzymes are responsible for many biochemical processes in the body, such as the metabolism of drugs, detoxification, and synthesis of proteins. The most common liver enzymes are ALT (alanine aminotransferase) and AST (aspartate aminotransferase). When these enzymes are elevated, it may be an indicator of liver disease or damage.

LFT is used to detect, diagnose, and monitor various liver diseases and disorders. It can also be used to help determine the severity of a liver disorder and how well the liver is functioning. LFT is often ordered when a person has symptoms that may be related to a liver disorder, such as fatigue, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), dark urine, or light-colored stools.

LFT may also be ordered when a person has risk factors for liver disease, such as:

• Alcohol abuse
• Obesity
• Type II diabetes
• High cholesterol or triglycerides
• Family history of liver disease
• Exposure to toxins, such as certain chemicals, pesticides, and industrial solvents
• Viral infections, such as hepatitis A, B, or C

If you have any of these risk factors, your doctor may order LFT as part of a routine physical exam. LFT is also often ordered when a person is taking a medication that can damage the liver. These medications include over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), and prescription medications, such as certain antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, and cholesterol-lowering drugs.

In some cases, LFT may be ordered when a person has no symptoms or risk factors for liver disease. This is often done to check the liver function of someone who has had a liver transplant or is about to have surgery that involves the liver. LFT may also be ordered to monitor the progression of a known liver disorder.

If you're scheduled for LFT, your doctor will likely give you specific instructions on how to prepare. In most cases, no special preparation is needed. However, if you're taking medication that can affect LFT results, your doctor may tell you to stop taking the medication for a period of time before the test. Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions carefully.

During the test, a blood sample will be taken from a vein in your arm. The sample will then be sent to a laboratory for analysis. LFT results are usually available within a few days.

Your doctor will interpret your LFT results and compare them to reference ranges. Reference ranges are different for children and adults, and they may vary depending on the lab that performs the test.

Elevated liver enzymes don't always indicate liver damage or disease. In some cases, they may be due to other conditions, such as muscular dystrophy or mononucleosis. If your liver enzymes are elevated, your doctor will likely order additional tests to determine the cause.

How can HOT be Useful for Liver Enzymes Treatment?

HOT or Hepatic Obstruction Therapy is a treatment that helps to improve the function of your liver by removing blockages in the bile ducts. This therapy can be used to treat a variety of different conditions that lead to elevated liver enzymes, such as primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), and gallstones.

HOT involves inserting a tube through the nose and down the throat into the stomach. A second tube is then passed through the first tube and into the small intestine. A contrast dye is injected through the tubes so that the bile ducts can be seen on an X-ray. Once the dye has been injected, a balloon is inflated at the end of the second tube to block off the bile ducts.

The balloon is then inflated and deflated several times over the course of 30 minutes to an hour. This helps to break up any blockages in the bile ducts so that they can be flushed out when you go to the bathroom. HOT is usually performed as an outpatient procedure and doesn't require a hospital stay.

If you have elevated liver enzymes, your doctor may recommend HOT as part of your treatment plan. This therapy can help improve your liver function and reduce the risk of further liver damage. Talk to your doctor about whether HOT is right for you.

Conclusion

That's all you need to know about Liver Function Test and how it can be used to treat elevated liver enzymes. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to talk to your doctor. We invest our time and money in R&D to create a LFT test price with high accuracy. And we also set the price very reasonable to make it available for every clients and patients who need it. HOT is a safe and effective treatment for many people with liver conditions.