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The Curious Bag
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Liver function tests, or a hepatic function panel, are a group of tests used to detect, evaluate and diagnose liver inflammation, injury or infection. These tests include aspartate aminotransferas (AST), total bilirubin and direct bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and albumin and total protein.
Liver Function
Your liver makes proteins, helps remove toxins and stores energy from food, according to Kids' Health. In addition, it creates fluid, known as bile, to help with digestion.
Normal Results
According to the Mayo Clinic, normal ranges for these tests are as follows: ALT: 7-55 U/L ALP: 45-115 U/L AST: 8-48 U/L Bilirubin: 0.1-10 mg/dL Total protein: 6.3-7.9 g/dL Albumin 3.5-50 g/dL
High Numbers
If your numbers are extremely high, this can be a sign that you may have liver damage from an overuse of acetaminophen, or acute viral hepatitis A or B.
Significance
ALP numbers can increase if you have liver disease or blocked bile ducts. Albumin numbers measure the protein in the liver. If you have a low albumin number, this can indicate a problem with decreased protein levels.
Considerations
Normal test numbers can vary from laboratory to laboratory. Also, tell your doctor what foods or medications you've taken so that test results can be interpreted correctly.
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