{"id":9646,"date":"2024-09-08T06:03:04","date_gmt":"2024-09-08T03:03:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/?p=9646"},"modified":"2026-07-22T19:24:39","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T16:24:39","slug":"when-should-a-liver-test-be-done-and-how-to-do-it-correctly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/when-should-a-liver-test-be-done-and-how-to-do-it-correctly\/","title":{"rendered":"Liver test: when to get tested and how to do it correctly"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"200\" data-end=\"550\">The liver is a \u00absilent\u00bb laboratory of the human body. It performs over 500 functions: it neutralizes toxins, regulates glucose levels, synthesizes proteins, bile, and hormones. But at the same time, it is practically painless, even when it is already seriously damaged. That is why laboratory testing of the liver is one of the most reliable ways to prevent complications.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"552\" data-end=\"586\">Key markers of liver function<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"588\" data-end=\"748\"><a href=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/analysis\/biochemical-blood-tests\/protein-metabolism\/protein-fractions-of-the-proteome\/\" title=\"Protein fractions (Proteinogram)\"  data-wpil-monitor-id=\"597\">Liver analysis<\/a> usually includes a whole range of indicators known as \u00abliver tests.\u00bb They cannot be evaluated in isolation \u2014 it is important to consider the whole context:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"750\" data-end=\"1640\">\n<li data-start=\"750\" data-end=\"898\">\n<p data-start=\"752\" data-end=\"898\"><strong data-start=\"752\" data-end=\"784\">ALT (alanine aminotransferase)<\/strong>: an enzyme released when liver cells are destroyed. The most sensitive indicator of hepatocellular damage.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"899\" data-end=\"1054\">\n<p data-start=\"901\" data-end=\"1054\"><strong data-start=\"901\" data-end=\"935\">AST (aspartate aminotransferase)<\/strong>: an enzyme also found in the heart and muscles. Its elevation, together with ALT, is a signal of an acute process in the liver.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1055\" data-end=\"1235\">\n<p data-start=\"1057\" data-end=\"1235\"><strong data-start=\"1057\" data-end=\"1100\">Bilirubin (<a href=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/analysis\/biochemical-blood-tests\/pigmentary-change\/bilirubin-zagalnyj-bilirubin-total\/\">general<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/analysis\/biochemical-blood-tests\/pigmentary-change\/bilirubin-pryamyj-bilirubin-direct\/\">direct<\/a>, indirect)<\/strong>: a pigment formed when red blood cells break down. High levels are a sign of impaired bile flow or liver failure.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1236\" data-end=\"1328\">\n<p data-start=\"1238\" data-end=\"1328\"><strong data-start=\"1238\" data-end=\"1273\">GHT (gamma-glutamyltransferase)<\/strong>: increases with alcohol abuse or cholestasis.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1329\" data-end=\"1400\">\n<p data-start=\"1331\" data-end=\"1400\"><strong data-start=\"1331\" data-end=\"1355\">Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)<\/strong>: increases with damage to the bile ducts.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1401\" data-end=\"1504\">\n<p data-start=\"1403\" data-end=\"1504\"><strong data-start=\"1403\" data-end=\"1415\">Albumin<\/strong>: the main protein synthesized in the liver. Its decrease is a sign of chronic dysfunction.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1505\" data-end=\"1640\">\n<p data-start=\"1507\" data-end=\"1640\"><strong data-start=\"1507\" data-end=\"1534\">Prothrombin time (PT)<\/strong> or INR (international normalized ratio): indicates the liver&#039;s ability to synthesize clotting factors.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 data-start=\"1642\" data-end=\"1674\">Lesser known but valuable methods<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"1676\" data-end=\"1745\">In addition to standard tests, modern hepatology also uses other tests:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1747\" data-end=\"2162\">\n<li data-start=\"1747\" data-end=\"1811\">\n<p data-start=\"1749\" data-end=\"1811\"><strong data-start=\"1749\" data-end=\"1762\">Fibrotest<\/strong> \u2014 biochemical assessment of the degree of fibrosis without biopsy.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1812\" data-end=\"1920\">\n<p data-start=\"1814\" data-end=\"1920\"><strong data-start=\"1814\" data-end=\"1830\">Elastography<\/strong> (e.g. FibroScan) is an ultrasound method for measuring the stiffness of liver tissue.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1921\" data-end=\"1994\">\n<p data-start=\"1923\" data-end=\"1994\"><strong data-start=\"1923\" data-end=\"1953\">Antibodies to hepatitis B and C<\/strong> \u2014 markers of infectious liver damage.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1995\" data-end=\"2072\">\n<p data-start=\"1997\" data-end=\"2072\"><strong data-start=\"1997\" data-end=\"2014\">Ceruloplasmin<\/strong> \u0456 <strong data-start=\"2017\" data-end=\"2037\">copper in serum<\/strong> \u2014 if Wilson&#039;s disease is suspected.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2073\" data-end=\"2162\">\n<p data-start=\"2075\" data-end=\"2162\"><strong data-start=\"2075\" data-end=\"2091\">Autoantibodies<\/strong> \u2014 if autoimmune hepatitis or primary biliary cholangitis is suspected.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9649\" src=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/themes\/woodmart\/images\/lazy.svg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/0909.jpg\" alt=\"A patient donates blood for a liver test\" width=\"768\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/0909.jpg 768w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/0909-150x94.jpg 150w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/0909-600x375.jpg 600w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/0909-300x188.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"2164\" data-end=\"2194\">How to prepare for the analysis<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"2196\" data-end=\"2258\">To ensure reliable results, follow these simple rules:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2260\" data-end=\"2565\">\n<li data-start=\"2260\" data-end=\"2313\">\n<p data-start=\"2262\" data-end=\"2313\">Donate blood on an empty stomach (at least 8 hours without eating).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2314\" data-end=\"2377\">\n<p data-start=\"2316\" data-end=\"2377\">The day before the test, do not consume alcohol, fatty and fried foods.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2378\" data-end=\"2489\">\n<p data-start=\"2380\" data-end=\"2489\">If possible, stop taking medications that may affect the liver (but only after consulting with your doctor).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2490\" data-end=\"2565\">\n<p data-start=\"2492\" data-end=\"2565\">It is not recommended to perform intense physical activity the day before.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 data-start=\"2567\" data-end=\"2599\">When to check your liver<\/h2>\n<ul data-start=\"2601\" data-end=\"2957\">\n<li data-start=\"2601\" data-end=\"2678\">\n<p data-start=\"2603\" data-end=\"2678\">If you have <strong data-start=\"2617\" data-end=\"2678\">increased fatigue, nausea, yellowing of the skin or eyes<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2679\" data-end=\"2722\">\n<p data-start=\"2681\" data-end=\"2722\">After the transfer <strong data-start=\"2700\" data-end=\"2722\">viral hepatitis<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2723\" data-end=\"2802\">\n<p data-start=\"2725\" data-end=\"2802\">With prolonged use of medications (antibiotics, anticonvulsants, hormones)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2803\" data-end=\"2844\">\n<p data-start=\"2805\" data-end=\"2844\">If you <strong data-start=\"2813\" data-end=\"2844\">you regularly drink alcohol<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2845\" data-end=\"2895\">\n<p data-start=\"2847\" data-end=\"2895\">With obesity, metabolic syndrome or diabetes<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2896\" data-end=\"2957\">\n<p data-start=\"2898\" data-end=\"2957\">As <strong data-start=\"2901\" data-end=\"2913\">screening<\/strong> in case of suspected chronic liver damage<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 data-start=\"2959\" data-end=\"2995\">Difficult diagnosis without symptoms<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"2997\" data-end=\"3337\">Liver diseases often go unnoticed until they reach the stage of cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. According to <em data-start=\"3108\" data-end=\"3158\">European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL)<\/em>, up to 70% cases of cirrhosis are diagnosed at later stages, when liver function can no longer be fully restored. That is why preventive diagnostics play a critically important role.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3339\" data-end=\"3602\">The best strategy is not to wait for symptoms, but to periodically undergo a basic examination, especially if there are risk factors. The liver is capable of regeneration, but only if the problem is detected in a timely manner. In diseases of the digestive system, it is important to comprehensively assess the state of the system, therefore, in addition to liver tests, the doctor may prescribe <a class=\"ng-star-inserted\" href=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/analysis\/biochemical-blood-tests\/markers-of-ulnar-nerve-damage\/pancreatic-elastase\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-hveid=\"0\" data-ved=\"0CAAQ_4QMahgKEwjr4s63qdyUAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQxBc\" data-wplink-edit=\"true\">pancreatic elastase test<\/a>, to check pancreatic function.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The liver is the &quot;silent&quot; laboratory of the human body. It performs over 500 functions: it neutralizes toxins, regulates glucose levels, synthesizes proteins, bile,<\/p>","protected":false},"author":627,"featured_media":9648,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,233],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9646","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-zahvoryuvannya-ta-symptomy","category-rozshyfrovka-analiziv-ta-pidgotovka"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9646","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/627"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9646"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9646\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9648"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9646"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9646"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9646"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}