Human Liver Functions

Liver Functions

• The liver is a critical organ in the human body
• Responsible for multiple functions, including:
  • Supporting metabolism
  • Supporting immunity
  • Detoxification
• Accounts for approximately 2% of an adult's body weight

Liver Function Tests (LFTs)

• LFTs are groups of blood tests that provide information about the state of a patient's liver
• Measure enzymes, proteins, and substances produced by the liver
• Important for diagnosing liver diseases, monitoring liver condition in chronic diseases, evaluating the effectiveness of treatments, and monitoring possible side effects of medicines

Anatomy and Function of the Liver

• The liver is a critical organ in the human body responsible for various functions, including supporting metabolism, immunity, and detoxification
• Comprises around 2% of an adult's body weight

Components of LFTs

• Alanine Transaminase (ALT): an enzyme found inside liver cells, helps break down proteins for easier absorption in the body, high levels indicate liver disease
• Aspartate Transaminase (AST): found in cardiac muscle, liver, RBCs, and other tissues, high levels may indicate liver disease or heart problems
• Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP): found throughout the body, highest concentration in liver, bile duct, and bone, elevated levels indicate conditions such as hepatitis, liver cancer, or bile duct obstruction
• Gamma-Glutamyltransferase (GGT): an enzyme that plays a role in the metabolism of glutathione and transfer of amino acids and peptides across cellular membranes, high levels indicate liver disease
• Bilirubin: a substance produced during the breakdown of red blood cells, high levels may indicate liver damage or disease
• Albumin and Total Protein: albumin is one of the several proteins made in the body, proteins are needed to fight infections, lower than usual levels of albumin and total protein may indicate liver damage

Results Interpretation

• Standard range blood test results for typical liver function tests include:
  • ALT: 7-55 units per liter (U/L)
  • AST: 8-48 U/L
  • ALP: 40-129 U/L
  • Albumin: 3.5-5.0 grams per deciliter (g/dL)
  • Total Protein: 6.3-7.9 g/dL
  • Bilirubin: 0.1-1.2 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
  • GGT: 8-61 U/L

Diseases Associated with Liver Damage

• Hepatitis
• Cirrhosis
• Liver cancer
• Biliary diseases

Kidney Function Tests (KFTs)

• Also known as renal function tests
• Tests to evaluate kidney health and function
• Assess the kidneys' ability to filter blood, remove waste, and balance electrolytes

Anatomy and Function of the Kidney

• The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located on either side of the spine
• They play a critical role in maintaining body's fluid balance, waste removal, and regulation of various physiological processes

Clinical Importance of KFTs

• Assess overall renal function
• Diagnose kidney disease (Acute kidney injury, Chronic kidney injury, Glomerulonephritis)
• Assessment before medication

Components of KFTs

• Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR): estimates how much blood passes through the glomeruli each minute, normal results range from 90 to 120 ml/min/1.73m²
• Creatinine: from creatine in muscle, released into the bloodstream and filtered out by the kidneys, normal levels: Men: 0.7-1.3 mg/dl, Women: 0.6-1.1 mg/dl
• Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN): measures the amount of urea nitrogen in the blood, high in impaired renal function, high in protein diets
• Urine Albumin: albumin is a protein usually present in blood, presence of albumin in urine can be one of the earliest signs of kidney damage, normal levels: less than 30 mg of albumin per gram of creatinine in a spot urine sample

Diseases Associated with Kidney Damage

• Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
• Acute kidney injury
• Kidney stones
• Kidney infections
• Kidney cyst
• Kidney cancer

Liver Function Tests (LFTs)

• LFTs are groups of blood tests that provide information about the state of a patient's liver
• Measure enzymes, proteins, and substances produced by the liver
• Important for diagnosing liver diseases, monitoring liver condition in chronic diseases, evaluating the effectiveness of treatments, and monitoring possible side effects of medicines

Anatomy and Function of the Liver

• The liver is a critical organ in the human body responsible for various functions, including supporting metabolism, immunity, and detoxification
• Comprises around 2% of an adult's body weight

Components of LFTs

• Alanine Transaminase (ALT): an enzyme found inside liver cells, helps break down proteins for easier absorption in the body, high levels indicate liver disease
• Aspartate Transaminase (AST): found in cardiac muscle, liver, RBCs, and other tissues, high levels may indicate liver disease or heart problems
• Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP): found throughout the body, highest concentration in liver, bile duct, and bone, elevated levels indicate conditions such as hepatitis, liver cancer, or bile duct obstruction
• Gamma-Glutamyltransferase (GGT): an enzyme that plays a role in the metabolism of glutathione and transfer of amino acids and peptides across cellular membranes, high levels indicate liver disease
• Bilirubin: a substance produced during the breakdown of red blood cells, high levels may indicate liver damage or disease
• Albumin and Total Protein: albumin is one of the several proteins made in the body, proteins are needed to fight infections, lower than usual levels of albumin and total protein may indicate liver damage

Results Interpretation

• Standard range blood test results for typical liver function tests include:
  • ALT: 7-55 units per liter (U/L)
  • AST: 8-48 U/L
  • ALP: 40-129 U/L
  • Albumin: 3.5-5.0 grams per deciliter (g/dL)
  • Total Protein: 6.3-7.9 g/dL
  • Bilirubin: 0.1-1.2 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
  • GGT: 8-61 U/L

Diseases Associated with Liver Damage

• Hepatitis
• Cirrhosis
• Liver cancer
• Biliary diseases

Kidney Function Tests (KFTs)

• Also known as renal function tests
• Tests to evaluate kidney health and function
• Assess the kidneys' ability to filter blood, remove waste, and balance electrolytes

Anatomy and Function of the Kidney

• The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located on either side of the spine
• They play a critical role in maintaining body's fluid balance, waste removal, and regulation of various physiological processes

Clinical Importance of KFTs

• Assess overall renal function
• Diagnose kidney disease (Acute kidney injury, Chronic kidney injury, Glomerulonephritis)
• Assessment before medication

Components of KFTs

• Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR): estimates how much blood passes through the glomeruli each minute, normal results range from 90 to 120 ml/min/1.73m²
• Creatinine: from creatine in muscle, released into the bloodstream and filtered out by the kidneys, normal levels: Men: 0.7-1.3 mg/dl, Women: 0.6-1.1 mg/dl
• Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN): measures the amount of urea nitrogen in the blood, high in impaired renal function, high in protein diets
• Urine Albumin: albumin is a protein usually present in blood, presence of albumin in urine can be one of the earliest signs of kidney damage, normal levels: less than 30 mg of albumin per gram of creatinine in a spot urine sample

Diseases Associated with Kidney Damage

• Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
• Acute kidney injury
• Kidney stones
• Kidney infections
• Kidney cyst
• Kidney cancer