In cases of serious liver pathology, liver enzymes will usually be elevated. This evidence of inflammation or damage will usually result in the need for follow-up testing to discover the cause of the elevations. Liver enzyme tests are usually included in the routine chemistry screens performed at your doctor’s office. However, when the liver is merely “sluggish” or “congested”, these liver enzymes may not be elevated, yet treatments to improve liver function can reduce symptoms.
Test/Monitor Liver Function can help with the following
Jaundice
Serum bilirubin, liver enzymes (ALT and AST) and alkaline phosphatase are routine lab tests used to assist in determining the cause of jaundice.
Key
| Likely to help |
| Highly recommended |
Glossary
Enzymes
Specific protein catalysts produced by the cells that are crucial in chemical reactions and in building up or synthesizing most compounds in the body. Each enzyme performs a specific function without itself being consumed. For example, the digestive enzyme amylase acts on carbohydrates in foods to break them down.