What is a Liver Test?
Our liver test is a blood test which can be
conducted from the convenience of your own
home.
We will send you a blood collection kit so
that you can collect a small sample of blood and
send it off for testing. Please click
here to see a video that explains how to
collect the blood sample and send it off. A
leaflet explaining what to do is also available here.
It's a simple painless process that takes less
than 5 minutes.
When collecting the blood sample it's
important to avoid squeezing the finger to get
the blood to flow. This can cause haemolysis of
the sample and make it useless for testing.
Please follow the instructions on the leaflet
provided carefully and remember the following
tips:
-
Do not squeeze
the finger when collecting the blood
sample. A good firm prick from the lancet
is needed, and then take your time.
-
Warm the hand
before sample collection, this can help a
great deal.
-
Use the little
finger and gently milk the hand rather than
squeezing the finger.
-
Stand up when
collecting the blood sample, as this can
really assist blood flow.
The Liver test is also known as a liver
function test. It profiles a range of markers in
the blood that are helpful to doctors to be able
to assess the health of the patient’s liver. The
following are profiled: Bilirubin, ALT, AST,
Total Protein, Alkaline Phosphatase, Albumin,
Globulin and Gamma-GT.
A healthy liver is essential to healthy
living as the liver performs many functions
essential for life. The liver is especially
involved in detoxifying the body, and as such
can become damaged if excessive toxins are
consumed. As a result liver damage is common in
people who drink excessive amounts of alcohol.
Anyone who is aware that they may have a drink
problem should consider a liver test to
determine if the drinking is damaging your
liver, as high levels of liver damage are
possible before any symptoms are experienced.
In addition certain medicines can have a
damaging effect on the liver in some cases. An
example of this is the antifungal medicine
terbinafine, which we use to treat fungal nail
infections. In most cases it is safe but as a
side effect in some people it can cause liver
damage. This is why we ask people we treat with
terbinafine to undergo a liver test to ensure
the liver is healthy and remains healthy whilst
the medicine is being taken.
The results of the test will be sent to the
“Test Results” area of your Pharmacy2U Online
Doctor account. You will be notified by email
when the results are there, and the doctor will
also be notified of the results.
The result will tell you the levels of
various elements in your blood related to the
health of your liver, and it will indicate the
normal levels and indicate if your result falls
within the normal range.
If we do find abnormal levels, the doctor
will get in touch with you to recommend the
appropriate course of action.
Click
here to find out more
