ALT is found primarily in a healthy liver, with only low levels detected in the blood. There are six results on a comprehensive metabolic profile that represent liver function.Īlanine amino transferase (ALT, or SGPT) is an enzyme that aids in metabolizing protein and converting food into energy molecules. Early detection through routine laboratory screening is valuable so that treatment protocols can be initiated to restore the liver’s form and function when possible.Ī comprehensive metabolic profile is an effective routine laboratory test for analyzing a patient’s liver function. Symptoms of liver disease include jaundice, light-colored stools, dark-colored urine, appetite loss, nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, unexplained changes in weight and abdominal swelling or discomfort, but the liver may sustain extensive damage before symptoms present. Liver cancer – the sixth most commonly diagnosed form of cancer.Fascioliasis – a parasitic infection that is caused by liver flukes.Gilbert’s syndrome – a non-threatening condition in which bilirubin is not fully broken down, resulting in mild jaundice.Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) – an incurable disease characterized by inflammation of the bile ducts.While alcoholism is a frequent culprit, obesity can also result in fatty liver disease. Fatty liver disease – a condition in which fat accumulates in the liver’s cells.Viruses, toxins and autoimmune response can cause hepatitis. Hepatitis – a liver infection in which the liver becomes inflamed.Alcoholic liver disease is the leading worldwide cause of cirrhosis of the liver. This process, called fibrosis, has a number of causes, including excessive alcohol use, toxins and hepatitis. Cirrhosis – a disease in which scar tissue overtakes healthy liver tissue.There are several diseases that affect the liver. With so many vital roles that affect overall health, monitoring the liver’s ability to carry out these tasks efficiently is an important step in diagnosing diseases that can hinder liver function. The liver plays a role in the body’s immune function.The liver filters hormones as well as foreign substances, such as drugs and alcohol, from the blood.The liver also stores ferritin, a form of iron that comes from hemoglobin and is utilized in the production of new red blood cells.The liver also stores a supply of vitamins, including A, B12, D, E and K.The liver stores carbohydrates as glycogen, which can be called on by the body for use when a burst of energy is needed.The liver metabolizes carbohydrates to maintain blood glucose levels.The bile that is produced in the liver metabolizes fats.The liver breaks down and metabolizes proteins.The liver produces albumin, which is a protein found in blood serum.The liver produces bile, a substance that aids in digestion and is made up of bilirubin, electrolytes, cholesterol and water.Technically a gland that is classified as part of the digestive system, the liver carries a lot of responsibilities. The liver is unique in that when it sustains damage, it has the ability to regenerate as long as at least 25 percent of its tissue remains healthy. Weighing in at roughly three pounds, the liver, which is situated on the right side of the abdomen, is one of the largest organs of the human body, ranking as the second-largest organ after skin. Evaluating liver function is a key first step toward detecting liver disease at an early stage.

Additional diseases threaten the liver, including some that can be just as deadly and some that can be prevented. Image courtesy of the National Institutes of HealthĪccording to the American Liver Foundation, nearly 30,000 adults are diagnosed with liver cancer each year, and the number of mortalities exceeds 20,000 annually.

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