Liver Function Testing
At Prestige ER in San Antonio, our experienced providers offer exceptional care for a variety of conditions and diseases affecting the liver. Our premier testing services are an essential part of this care. We offer prompt, onsite liver function tests (LFT) and high-quality treatment without the long wait times of a hospital-based ER.
LFT lab tests have many vital purposes, including:
- Monitoring medications whose side effects could affect the liver.
- Checking for liver damage caused by infections like hepatitis B or C.
- Evaluating liver disease and treatment.
- Assessing patients with symptoms related to liver disease.
- Monitoring the health of people with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and anemia.
- Evaluating the effects of alcoholism.
- Checking for gallbladder disease.
How Is Liver Function Tested?
Also known as a hepatic function panel, liver function testing at Prestige ER in San Antonio will check to see how well the liver is working. Several liver tests can aid in diagnosing, treating, and monitoring various health conditions and diseases. One blood test can check for a variety of markers of liver function, each with its own significance for liver health.
What Do Liver Function Tests Mean?
Your provider may order a panel of several tests, including liver enzyme tests. Some of the most common tests include:
- Total protein. Low blood levels of total protein can indicate liver disease or damage.
- Albumin. Low levels of this protein produced by the liver may indicate impaired liver function.
- Bilirubin. Bilirubin is made by the liver and is usually excreted in bile. High levels may indicate a problem in the processing of bile or a bile duct obstruction.
- Prothrombin time. This is a measure of how quickly blood clots. Prolonged clotting time may indicate the presence of liver disease or a coagulation disorder.
- Alanine transaminase (ALT): This enzyme is released into the blood after acute liver damage. A test of your ALT level may be used to evaluate liver function or to monitor the treatment of acute liver ailments like hepatitis.
- Aspartate transaminase (AST): Like ALT, an elevated AST level in the blood could indicate liver damage or disease.
- Alkaline phosphatase: This liver test measures the blood level of an enzyme called alkaline phosphatase. This enzyme is found in most body tissues, with the highest concentrations in the biliary tract, bones, and liver. This test evaluates liver function and may indicate lesions in the liver that can cause biliary obstruction, like abscesses or tumors.
- Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT): This enzyme is made in the biliary tract, pancreas, and liver. A GGT test measures the level of this enzyme and is used to evaluate liver function and check for damage to the bile duct.
Abnormal results in LFT blood work may require follow-up care to find a cause for the abnormalities, which may include further testing or the review of additional symptoms that could help your provider reach a diagnosis.
Liver Function Testing on Your Time
At Prestige ER, our state-of-the-art labs are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We provide full-service testing solutions, including liver function tests, often with same-day results. You can have rapid, accurate testing done when you need it. Results will be quickly passed on to the appropriate physicians or departments so that you can get the diagnosis, treatment, or condition update you need.
Our experienced team is experienced in handling all types of LFT blood tests and conditions, including routine monitoring tests. Prestige ER is your go-to source for convenient, reputable testing in San Antonio.
Quality Care You Can Depend On
We are committed to providing all our patients with convenient, comfortable care in a professional setting. Our liver function testing services are all performed in-house, providing you with reliable service from trained medical professionals.
We want to ensure our patients get the help they need right away, no matter their situation. Our staff is dedicated to making this a reality because we know how much your health matters. For quality medical testing services and superior patient care, count on Prestige ER. Visit us at one of our four San Antonio locations.
