Liver Function Tests: SGOT, SGPT, GGT, Serum Glucose Test: What is Liver function? Which tests are available for testing it?
The liver is considered to be the largest glandular organ within the human body and weight approximately about 3 lbs. Located in the right side of the abdominal cavity, the liver plays a number of roles in the proper functioning of the human system. The more important tasks that it performs include the conversion of glucose into glycogen, production of urea, the storage of vitamins and minerals as well as maintenance of proper levels of glucose within the blood. It also plays a major role in the filtration of harmful substances from the bloodstream. Because of the fact that the liver is also concerned with filtering the harmful substances out of the bloodstream, it is prone to a number of conditions. Some of the more common conditions that are known to affect the liver include Wilson’s disease, liver cancer, hepatitis and cirrhosis. Also known as the hepatic function panel, liver function tests are essentially a group of seven clinical tests that have been developed to help gauge and analyze the various injuries, infections or inflammation that may be affecting the liver. These tests will not only help diagnose the presence of an abnormality, but will also help identify the region of the liver that has been impacted. Understanding the various common symptoms that appear when a person is suffering from liver damage will help you identify if a doctor needs to be consulted. Some of the more common symptoms of liver dysfunction include dark urine, nausea, abdominal swelling and jaundice. When a doctor is informed of these symptoms being present and persistent, he or she will call for a liver function test to be performed in order to evaluate a number of readings that the report provides. Some of the major readings that the report reflects include the SGOT and SGPT. When the reports show the SGOT and SGPT levels to be high, the more likely causes of the occurrence will tend to be viral hepatitis, an excessive intake of alcohol, fat cell buildup around and within the liver organ as well as liver tumor, heart failure, gallstones and inflammation of the liver or gallbladder.
SGPT, also known as Alanine aminotransferase or ALT, is essentially an enzyme that is found in the liver and plays a role in the metabolism process of food to energy conversion. If the liver has been injured or damaged, these enzymes are released directly into the bloodstream – causing their readings to reflect as being significantly high. The SGOT readings, also known as Alkaline phosphatase or AST, are enzymes that play a role in the processing of proteins within the muscles, kidneys liver and heart. Just as with the SGPT readings, whenever the liver is either damaged or injured, these enzymes will be released directly into the bloodstream -causing them to show up on a liver function test and alert the presiding doctor to identify a problem with the liver.
A liver function test is carried out in very much the same way as any other blood test and will see the presiding doctor use a fresh syringe connected to a vial to collect the blood sample from a vein in the patient’s body. The doctor or nurse will first make sure to clean the area of the arm where he or she will insert the needle. In most cases, a tight band may be placed at the top of the arm in order to restrict blood flow – thereby causing the vein in the arm to swell and become more prominent. This makes it easier for the blood sample to be obtained and reduces the number of jabs that the doctor will give the patient while simply looking to tap into the vein. Once the blood sample has been collected, it is sent to the laboratory where it will be analyzed and the readings sent back to the doctor for interpretation. Although there is no specific preparation when going in for a liver function test, studies have shown that the test tends to be more accurate in the event that the patient chooses to fast for a period of about 12 hours before the test. It is also important for the patient to inform the presiding doctor about any medication that may be being taken as there is always the chance that the chemical makeup of certain medications is likely to play havoc with the readings of the blood test.
Because of the fact that there are differences in what is considered to be normal ranges of certain test results from laboratory to laboratory, the medical society has developed a list of what is considered to be an approximate guide in gauging the normalcy of the levels. The normal SGOT levels in an adult ranges from 0 to 30 units per liter, although it helps to know that conditions like hepatitis C can sometimes also reflect normal SGOT levels – meaning that accurate diagnosis may require some additional tests also being carried out. The SGPT levels are usually imbalanced in the case of infections and the normal range of the enzyme in adults is considered to exist around the mark of between 8 and 20 units. Other readings in the liver function test include alkaline phosphate – which is usually an important part of the diagnosis when dealing with a tumor or some kind of abnormal structural growth. The normal range of this constituent of the test results is between 20 and 140 – where lower counts are seen in individuals that are deficient of proteins and malnourished. LDH is a lactic acid component of the test results and is normally within the range of about 45 to 90. Abnormal readings are indicative of the presence of malnourishment, hypoglycemia and adrenal insufficiency. Different diseases of the liver will affect the liver differently and cause a range of differences in the test results. Although they are always helpful in a number of diagnosis as well as in the monitoring of certain conditions, it is important to remember that it is not unusual for the readings to be a little inaccurate at times.
Liver disorders can usually be characterized and identified by the resulting effects on the blood and other organs. This is especially true of conditions like jaundice where the liver fails to operate correctly and leaks out secretions into the bloodstream.
SGOT SGPT GGT Tests:
Liver function is usually tested using the parameters of Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase (SGPT) and Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase (SGOT) levels. These are enzymes of the liver and their presence in the blood stream indicates that the walls of the liver have been compromised and that these enzymes are leaking into the bloodstream. Other tests include bilirubin level test and Gamma Glutamyl Transpeptidase (GGT) tests; the latter is very useful in ascertaining alcohol related damage to the liver. In some extreme cases where the chances of the liver failing are imminent, a serum glucose test is also administered to ascertain the liver’s ability to produce glucose and keep the body alive. If this fails, it is probably time for a liver transplant. It is important to visit a doctor and get these tests done to ascertain the amount and type of damage that the liver has incurred.
Keeping the liver healthy is a matter of aiding the liver in toxin removal, exercising adequately, and additional supplements of food that can aid liver function. The first is to avoid alcohol. The metabolism of alcohol is so complex and draining on the liver that after a certain point it can actually cause damage and death of the liver tissue. If alcohol must be taken then it must be taken in extreme moderation and in diluted amounts. Exercise is important from the perspective of maintaining a good cardiovascular system and keeping the liver nourished with oxygen and nutrients. The final part of the puzzle is the more complicated one – diet. You should add more fiber to your diet as this binds the bilirubin in the intestines for specific bacteria to act on. Fiber can be acquired from eating fresh vegetables. In general, you should increase your intake of vitamin C and E for their antioxidant properties – these can be acquired from citrus fruits, onions, fresh vegetables, nuts and seafood, vitamin B through consumption of dairy although the human ability to absorb vitamin B12 is quite poor and supplements like pills would be necessary for this. Soy products, lentils and beetroot are also advised. Beetroot aids the liver to get rid of heavy metals from the body. Honey is also a good addition to the system by stimulating bile production and it is also rich in antioxidants.
