Liver & Gallbladder Health centers on two vital organs essential for digestion and detoxification. The liver processes nutrients, filters toxins from the blood, and produces bile to help digest fats. The gallbladder stores this bile until it’s needed during digestion. Maintaining the health of these organs is crucial for effective metabolism, energy levels, and overall well-being. Regular monitoring through blood tests can detect liver function abnormalities or gallbladder issues early on, allowing for timely intervention and support.
Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) is an enzyme primarily found in the liver, with smaller amounts in the kidneys, heart, and muscles. It plays a vital role in breaking down proteins and converting them into energy. ALT is released into the bloodstream when the liver is damaged or inflamed. Clinically, ALT is a key biomarker for liver health, as elevated levels often indicate liver injury or disease. Understanding ALT levels helps clinicians diagnose liver disorders, monitor disease progression, and guide treatment decisions.
ALT measurements are useful in diagnosing and managing liver diseases such as viral hepatitis and cirrhosis. ALT activity is generally lower than aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity and is highest in the liver. Significant ALT elevations occur mainly in liver diseases. ALT is often measured with AST to determine if AST's source is the liver or heart. A normal ALT with elevated AST suggests cardiac disease, while slight ALT elevations can occur with extensive heart muscle damage.
Low ALT: Low ALT levels can result from chronic liver disease, malnutrition, advanced liver cirrhosis, severe vitamin B6 deficiency, or genetic disorders affecting ALT production. Although low ALT levels are less common, they can indicate significant liver damage and require further evaluation.
Symptoms of Low ALT Levels are less common and generally less concerning but can include:
High ALT: High ALT levels typically signal liver damage or injury, either acute or chronic. Common causes include hepatitis, fatty liver disease, and cirrhosis. Other causes include certain medications (statins, antibiotics, and OTC pain relievers), excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, metabolic disorders like diabetes, and toxin exposure.
ALT levels may also rise temporarily after strenuous exercise or muscle injury, though elevations are more specific to liver injury.
Identifying the cause of elevated ALT is crucial for proper management and treatment, including ruling out drug, alcohol, medication use, and toxin exposure.
Symptoms of Elevated ALT Levels often indicate liver damage or inflammation and can include:
Bilirubin is a yellow pigment formed by the breakdown of red blood cells in the liver. Normally, bilirubin is processed by the liver, converted into bile, and excreted in the stool. If the liver can't process bilirubin properly, a small amount may be found in the urine.
Detectable levels of bilirubin in urine are considered abnormal. It can be an indicator of liver disease or bile duct obstruction and warrants further investigation.
Urine in Bilirubin - Causes
Urine in Bilirubin - Symptoms
Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) is an enzyme primarily found in the liver, bile ducts, and pancreas. It plays a key role in the metabolism of glutathione and the transfer of amino acids across cell membranes.
Blood GGT levels are measured to assess liver function and the presence of liver or bile duct diseases.
Low GGT Levels
Low GGT levels are generally asymptomatic and not concerning clinically. They usually indicate a lower likelihood of liver disease. However, low GGT levels might mean your body isn't breaking down amino acids and getting rid of harmful substances as efficiently as it should. Low levels of GGT generally don't present with specific symptoms.
Elevated GGT Levels - Causes and Symptoms
A higher-than-normal GGT level in your blood may indicate that a condition or disease is damaging your liver. However, the GGT test alone cannot identify the specific cause of the damage. Potential causes of elevated GGT include:
Lipase is an important enzyme produced mainly by your pancreas. It helps digest fats by breaking them into smaller molecules like fatty acids and glycerol, which your body can easily absorb and use for energy.
When you eat fatty foods, your pancreas releases lipase into your small intestine, where it helps with fat digestion. A lipase test is primarily used to diagnose pancreatitis, especially acute pancreatitis, a sudden inflammation of the pancreas.
Low Lipase Levels - Causes
Low Lipase Levels - Symptoms
High Lipase Levels - Causes
High Lipase Levels - Symptoms
MCV (mean corpuscular volume) measures the average size of your red blood cells. It's included in a common blood test called a complete blood count (CBC). Considered alongside the results of other tests, an MCV blood test can provide insights into how your red blood cells are functioning, helping your healthcare provider determine if you have anemia, liver disease, or other conditions.
Low MCV (Microcytosis) - Causes
Low MCV - Symptoms
High MCV (Macrocytosis) - Causes
High MCV - Symptoms
Bilirubin is a yellowish pigment produced during the breakdown of red blood cells. It travels through the bloodstream to the liver, where it is processed and eventually excreted in bile. Abnormal levels can indicate various health issues.
The total bilirubin test helps evaluate the health of your liver and is one of a comprehensive panel of liver function tests that measure different liver products in your blood.
Low Bilirubin Levels may be caused by certain medications (including antibiotics, birth control pills, sleeping pills, and seizure medications). Low levels typically do not indicate a medical problem.
High Bilirubin Levels (Hyperbilirubinemia) - Causes
Symptoms are generally due to an underlying condition, such as:
High Bilirubin Levels - Symptoms
The Albumin/Globulin Ratio is a calculated value obtained by dividing the level of albumin (a protein in the blood) by the level of globulin (another group of proteins in the blood). This ratio provides insights into various health conditions and is used for the following clinical purposes:
Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme found in various tissues, especially the liver, bile duct, bones, kidneys, and digestive system. It plays a role in the breakdown of proteins and is important for liver, bile duct, and bone health.
The ALP Test is used to help diagnose and monitor liver and bone disorders and assess treatment efficacy. Elevated levels may indicate liver or bone diseases, while decreased levels can suggest malnutrition or genetic conditions.
Low ALP Levels - Causes
Low ALP Levels - Symptoms
Low ALP levels do not usually cause symptoms but may indicate underlying conditions, such as:
High ALP Levels - Causes
High ALP levels are generally due to underlying conditions, such as:
(sarcoidosis), granulomatous disorders.
High ALP Levels - Symptoms
High (ALP) may not cause specific symptoms directly. However, the underlying conditions can cause various symptoms, depending on the cause.
Amylase is an enzyme produced by the pancreas and salivary glands that helps in the digestion of carbohydrates. It breaks down complex carbohydrates into simpler sugars like glucose, which can be easily absorbed by the body. This process is essential for proper digestion and nutrient absorption.
The amylase test is primarily used to help diagnose pancreatitis, a condition in which the pancreas becomes inflamed. When the pancreas is inflamed, it can leak amylase into the bloodstream, which can cause the levels of amylase in the blood to rise.
The amylase test may also be used to:
Low Amylase - Causes
Low Amylase - Symptoms
High Amylase - Causes
High Amylase - Symptoms
Urinary amylase is useful in the evaluation of macroamylasemia and pseudocyst of the pancreas. With macroamylasemia, only the serum concentration is elevated. With pseudocysts, the urinary concentration remains elevated for weeks after an episode of acute pancreatitis.
Low Amylase - Causes
Low levels (in blood or urine) are uncommon, but may be a sign of:
High Amylase - Causes
High levels in blood or urine may be a sign of: