Liver tests

Blood tests

Scans

LFTs

Bilirubin

Enzymes

Proteins

Albumin

Globulin

  1. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)

Most specifically indicates damage done to liver cells

  1. Aspartate transferase
  1. Alkaline phosphatase

Less good at indicating damage done to liver cells than ALT is

Also less good at indicating damage done to liver cells than ALT is

Total protein

  1. Gamma–glutamyltransferase

An indicator of alcohol-related liver disease. Also the most sensitive measure of alcohol consumption. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4917983/

It can also be high for other reasons, including when someone has diabetes, high blood pressure or high triglycerides

if you do have a high GGT level, this indicates that you’re at a relatively higher risk of dying (from any cause) than other people are who have a low GGT level https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9144754

A waste product made out of broken down old or damaged red blood cells that indicates a blockage in your bile duct.

A blockage in your bile duct can be caused by alcoholic liver disease

A protein that helps to keep fluid pressures in the body stable and carries various substances in the body. It might decrease if you have chronic liver disease, esp. if it's getting worse. Can also be low if you have a protein deficiency.

The liver makes nearly all the proteins that go into your blood and so when the liver cells die, your total protein measure in your blood will go down. https://academic.oup.com/labmed/article/45/1/e25/2657886

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MRI

CT

Transient elastography (Fibroscan)

Ultrasound

An MRI scan can detect the difference between a healthy liver and a liver that has severe levels of fibrosis or full cirrhosis, but it can't detect the earlier stages of fibrosis, so not much use if you want to know if you have early signs of liver damage.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378603X15000534

"Ultrasound detects fatty liver with a good sensitivity, but does not differentiate simple steatosis from steatohepatitis."

A Fibroscan is an ultrasound-based technique that

DEXA

Prevention of liver problems from alcohol (beyond simply not drinking)

Also indicates damage done to muscle cells so can be raised following heavy exercise

Also rises the older you are

How to get a liver function test + use your old blood test results to compare, if you have any

What are the main indicators of having cirrhosis?

What are the main indicators of having

What are the stages of liver disease?

  1. Fatty deposits in the liver caused by (aka steatosis)
  1. Fatty liver with inflammation (aka steatohepatitis)
  1. Liver scarring (aka, fibrosis)
  1. Cirrhosis (aka, not good ☹)