How to Check Liver Function at Home?

Various liver function tests help monitor liver health at home. Many of these tests are available online at Welzo, and discussing the results with the doctor is advised. This article will introduce several home-based tests from Welzo collections to our audience. Keep reading for more updates. 

What are liver or hepatic function tests?

Liver tests, hepatic function tests, or liver panels are blood tests that help assess the liver's functions and health. Healthcare professionals draw blood from the person's arms and perform these tests in the office or laboratory. These tests help monitor liver diseases and diagnose other conditions that affect liver health.

These tests require a blood sample through a prick and target various biomarkers to screen for liver diseases. Multiple tests in our collections help monitor cholesterol, lipid levels, and other heart and liver health biomarkers. People are advised to avoid taking other medications and fast for a specific time before the test, and they are instructed by a healthcare provider or home testing kits in this matter. 

What do the home tests detect?  

Various types of blood tests are available that screen liver proteins, bilirubin, and liver enzymes. 

Enzyme tests 

The liver secretes various enzymes for specific functions. Various enzyme tests in our collections screen the blood for the following enzymes; 

Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT)

Higher levels of this enzyme (50 IU/L or more) suggest bile duct damage or liver diseases. Its largest amounts are found in the kidneys, followed by the liver and heart.

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)

Higher levels of this enzyme are also associated with damage to the bile duct and liver diseases. ALP levels of 130 IU/l or more are considered higher levels.

Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)

Higher levels of this enzyme (above 40 U/L) suggest liver inflammation and acute damage to the liver cells.

Alanine transaminase (ALT)

Higher concentrations of this enzyme (>100 IU/l) suggest acute damage to the liver cells. 

Liver proteins 

Besides hormones, the liver also produces various proteins. Various blood tests screen the blood for the following liver proteins; 

Prothrombin

Prothrombin aids blood clotting, and high prothrombin time (PT) values (above 11-13.5 seconds) indicate liver damage. 

Albumin

Lower concentrations of this enzyme (less than 3.4 g/dL) suggest liver damage and other health conditions affecting liver health. 

Globulin 

This protein is essential in immunity, and its lower/ higher levels indicate various liver health conditions and liver damage. 

Bilirubin levels 

Bilirubin is a yellowish pigment that results from the breakdown of the red blood cells in the body. During liver diseases, bilirubin enters the circulation and causes jaundice. Outside the liver, it also gives the urine a very dark appearance. Bilirubin levels of 1.2 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)

indicate liver damage.

Although many home tests do not detect all these biomarkers, they offer helpful information about liver diseases, damage, and other liver conditions. 

Symptoms of liver diseases  

Experiencing the symptoms is not very common in liver disease, and up to 50% of people with liver diseases don't have symptoms. Many times, the liver heals itself automatically without showing any symptoms. Nevertheless, some cases of liver diseases and injuries are severe and require liver transplantation and hospitalisation. 

Some people experience the symptoms of liver diseases that include weakness, tiredness, fever, jaundice, pain under the ribs or right side, vomiting, nausea, dark urine and pale-coloured urine. Early detection is necessary. According to the American Liver Foundation, early diagnosis of liver diseases improves the health outcome. 

Early detection allows better steps to diagnose and treat liver diseases, enabling the liver to regenerate or heal the damaged area. 

Welzo home tests for Liver health  

Welzo offers numerous health tests to check liver health at home. The best products in our collections are; 

Welzo Liver Blood Test for Liver Injuries and Diseases

Price & availability: £35.00 (buy Welzo Liver Blood Test at Welzo)

Biomarkers tested: Bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transferase (ALT), Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), albumin, aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), total Protein & globulin

User review: 4.8/ 5 (based on 32 reviews at Welzo)

Why do we choose it?: The Liver Blood Test is convenient for assessing liver health with a finger-prick blood sample. It tests for biomarkers such as Bilirubin, ALT, GGT, Albumin, ALP, AST, Total Protein, and Globulin. Higher levels of these substances can indicate liver damage, disease, or other related issues. 

The test provides results within two days and includes free next-day delivery. It’s a valuable tool for diagnosing and monitoring liver conditions, including jaundice, hepatitis, and cirrhosis. It is a well-regarded option for those concerned about liver health and function. 

Welzo Health and Lifestyle Blood Test

Price & availability: £60.00 (buy Welzo Health and Lifestyle Blood Test at Welzo)

Biomarkers tested: Various markers of liver health, e.g., AST, ALT, albumin, total proteins, globulin, gamma GT, HDL, LDL, etc.

User review: 4/ 5 (based on 62 reviews at Welzo)

Why do we choose it?: The Health and Lifestyle Blood Test is a thorough examination that assesses diet, liver health, kidney function, cholesterol levels, and overall risk factors for liver diseases. This test uses advanced technology and offers a comprehensive insight into various health aspects. It evaluates liver health markers such as Bilirubin, ALT, GGT, Albumin, ALP, AST, Total Protein, and Globulin. 

These indicators help detect liver damage, disease, or dysfunction. This test is highly valued for its detailed health insights, and it offers free next-day delivery and results within two days. 

Welzo Bilirubin Blood Test

Price & availability: £39.00 (buy Welzo Bilirubin Blood Test at Welzo)

Biomarkers tested: Bilirubin Levels, albumin, total protein, globulin, alanine transferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)

User review: 4.2/ 5 (based on 40 reviews at Welzo)

Why do we choose it?: The Bilirubin Blood Test detects bilirubin levels, a key indicator of various liver and blood disorders. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment formed from the breakdown of red blood cells, and its elevated levels signal conditions such as jaundice, hepatitis, or cirrhosis. This test also evaluates additional biomarkers, including Albumin, ALT, GGT, Total Protein, Globulin, ALP, and AST. 

These markers collectively offer a comprehensive view of liver health and function, revealing potential issues with liver enzymes and overall protein balance. The test includes free next-day delivery and provides results within two days. This test is well-regarded for its efficiency and thorough assessment, making it a valuable tool for diagnosing and monitoring liver-related health concerns. 

Welzo No Fear Health Test

Price & availability: £85.00 (buy Welzo No Fear Health Test at Welzo)

Biomarkers tested: XX

User review: 3.6/ 5 (based on 50 reviews at Welzo)

Why do we choose it?: The Welzo No Fear Health Test is a comprehensive wellness test designed to provide a detailed look into various aspects of liver and kidney health. This test evaluates multiple markers, including testosterone levels, energy levels, hormonal balance, cholesterol function, and erectile dysfunction, alongside general nutrition and kidney function. It offers an in-depth analysis of metabolic and genetic health, helping you manage and understand potential risk factors. 

The user-friendly kit allows easy at-home sampling and delivers results within two days. Free next-day delivery ensures convenience. This test is praised for its thoroughness and clarity in reporting, making it a valuable tool for proactive health management. 

When to contact the healthcare provider 

It is advised to consult the healthcare provider if any of the health tests mentioned above indicate liver diseases. Likewise, it is necessary to contact healthcare professionals if the test results are in the normal range, yet the symptoms indicate liver health issues. 

Healthcare professionals review the situation and conduct other tests to diagnose these conditions. The doctors are also expected to offer treatment plans and solutions to patients' conditions. 

Frequently Asked Questions  

What are the symptoms of a person with compromised liver health and liver diseases? 

Many symptoms develop as the liver struggles to function. These include intense itching on the skin, yellow colour in the white parts of the skin and eyes due to jaundice, white nails, thickening and widening of the ends of nails (clubbed fingers), hair loss, swelling of the feet and ankles, and legs due to oedema, abdominal swelling (ascites), and dark-coloured urine. 

What is the first stage of liver failure? 

The first stage of liver failure is characterised by damage to the liver cells due to several diseases and agents and liver enlargement. In this stage, hepatic steatosis or fatty liver condition develops, characterised by the accumulation of fat droplets in the liver cells.

What drinks help improve liver health? 

Many drinks contain the ingredients that help improve liver health. These include lemon water, lemon and ginger drinks, turmeric tea, grapefruit juice, green tea, chamomile tea and jujube fruit juice. Regular drinking of these juices has beneficial effects on liver health. 

What are the best foods for liver health? 

Many foods help repair and improve liver health. These include cheese, yoghurt, and milk; fish (low-salt tinned or fresh); meats, nuts, wheat, seeds, and tofu; low-sugar fruits, legumes, beans, vegetables, grains, e.g., pasta, rice, cereals, and bread, and drinking a lot of fresh water daily. 

What is the location of liver pain? 

Experiencing pain just below the rib cage and upper right abdomen often indicates liver issues. These pains arise due to liver health issues, e.g., liver cysts and abscesses, bile duct obstruction, liver cancer, fatty liver disease, cirrhosis and hepatitis. 

How does alcohol harm liver health? 

Excessive and chronic alcohol consumption is one of the significant causes of liver failure. Its usage for many years causes cirrhosis. Alcohol also allows many viruses, e.g., hepatitis B & C viruses, to persist in the body. 

Summary  

The home-based liver tests screen for various conditions that influence liver health and detect cholesterol, bilirubin, lipids, proteins, and liver enzymes. These tests deliver an overview of liver health. Yet, many of the tests in the home-based test category lack the details present in many other tests in the liver panel. 

It is necessary to follow up on the findings of these tests with consultation with the healthcare provider for more clinical testing and treatment options.