If you have a history of liver issues in your family, it may be a good idea to have your liver function tested.If you have abdominal pain, have a history of hepatitis C, use alcohol regularly, or are suffering from side effects from certain medications, your doctor may suggest that you get your liver function tested.A vein in your arms can be used to draw a blood sample.Your doctor can help you understand your test results and give you information on how to treat your issues.
Step 1: Unless your doctor approves, don't eat the night before the test.
Fast for at least 8 hours before the test to make sure the results are accurate.You can drink water, but not have food.Before you take the test, your doctor should discuss the importance of fasting.You shouldn't drink alcohol the night before the test if your doctor approves eating.You should be able to drive home after the blood test.If you don't want to drive after the test, ask someone to drop you off and pick you up.
Step 2: Discuss your medications with your doctor.
Let your doctor know if you are taking a prescription or over-the-counter medication.If you are taking supplements or herbs, you should tell your doctor.The results of the test can be affected by medication and cholesterol lowering drugs.The results can be skewed by iron supplements and herbal supplements.The doctor may suggest that you don't take medication for a few days to avoid skewing the results.Unless your doctor tells you to stop taking medication, you should keep taking it.
Step 3: You should wear loose clothing to your appointment.
It's easy to expose your arms to your doctor or nurse by wearing a short-sleeved shirt or a long sleeved top that has arms that can be rolled up.
Step 4: Allow your doctor or nurse to take a sample of blood from your arm.
A doctor or nurse will clean the injection area with a cleaning solution.They will put a small amount of blood into a collection tube after injecting you with a needle.After the needle is removed, you may feel a sting in the area.If you are uncomfortable with needles, talk to the doctor or nurse.It is possible to avoid looking at the needle directly.
Step 5: Put pressure on the injection site.
If you need to stop bleeding, your doctor or nurse will give you a piece of cloth.For a few days, your arm may be sore, but you should be fine.Within a few days the needle will leave a small wound at the injection site.If the wound becomes very red, you should see your doctor.
Step 6: You can get the results from your doctor within a few hours or days.
The test results are usually processed quickly.Your doctor will contact you to inform you of your test results.If necessary, they will set up an office appointment for you to discuss your test results.
Step 7: Do you know if you have signs of acute or chronic liver damage?
If you have a high amount of certain enzymes in your blood, your doctor will run a series of panels on your sample.If you have high levels of Alanine Transaminase,AST, and ALP, it's possible that you're suffering from liver damage.If you have a low amount of globulin and albumin in your blood, they will run a panel on your sample.If you have low levels of these proteins, you may have damage to your body.If you have high levels of these enzymes and lowprotein levels, you may have a problem with the body's immune system.Chronic alcohol consumption is the cause of these conditions.
Step 8: If you have bile duct issue, check your results.
A panel will be run by your doctor to determine how much bilirubin is in your blood.If you test very high for bilirubin, you may have a problem with your bile duct, which can cause the bile to leak into your blood.Your skin and eyes can appear yellow due to bile duct issues.In some cases, your urine can be very dark.
Step 9: Follow up the tests with your doctor.
Your doctor will look at the whole blood test results.Depending on your results, they may order follow up tests like a hepatitis virus test.Your doctor may do a second blood test to confirm your diagnosis after you have been monitored for several weeks.
Step 10: Allow your doctor to take a sample of your body.
Your doctor may need to take a small sample of your bile duct to confirm your diagnosis.A biopsy of your body is done while you are under anesthesia.The doctor will use a small needle to get a sample of your body's cells.The sample will be small and won't affect the functioning of your liver.The sample is sent to the lab for analysis.Your doctor will be able to determine your diagnosis based on the results of the biopsy.
Step 11: Diet and lifestyle changes can be used to treat diseases.
If you have cirrhosis, your doctor will tell you to stop drinking alcohol.They may suggest you take vitamins and minerals to help your body recover.Your doctor may suggest that you lose weight by doing daily exercise and maintaining a healthy weight as part of your recovery plan.People with central Obesity gain weight around their abdomen and internal organs, including the liver.This can lead to "fatty liver" disease.Your symptoms will be alleviated by weight loss.If you don't make lifestyle and diet changes, you'll end up with a disease that will only get worse.You will need to maintain these changes for the rest of your life.
Step 12: It's a good idea to take medication to treat the damage to the body.
Your doctor may prescribe medication if your test results show that you have acute or chronic liver damage.Don't take more than you are prescribed if you have a discussion with your doctor.If you have acute or chronic bile duct issues, the type of medication you receive will depend on that.You will need to make lifestyle and diet changes to treat your problem.
Step 13: If your condition is severe, talk to your doctor about a transplant.
Your doctor may suggest a transplant if you're damaged beyond repair.Your damaged liver is replaced with a functioning one from a deceased or living donor.If your family members or friends are a good match, you may be put on a donor wait list.The risks and possible side effects of this procedure should be explained to you by your doctor.You will need to take medication to help with your regeneration.You will need to recuperate for 3-6 weeks and check in with your doctor to make sure your new organ is working well.