What is the liver check?

The liver check is a comprehensive test of both liver and kidney function. The liver metabolises fats, carbohydrates, proteins, ammonia, produces cholesterol and processes bilirubin. The waste products of liver metabolism are transported to the kidneys before being excreted in the urine.

The kidneys also regulate fluid balance. Normal kidney and liver function can be measured by looking at biological markers such as creatinine, a waste product that must be filtered and excreted by the kidneys and bilirubin, a substance processed by the liver. The liver is damaged by frequent alcohol misuse. At first, this damage can be repaired but over time the damage becomes reversible. Fatty liver disease is the first stage when fats build up in the liver.

This can be reversed if you stop drinking for a couple of weeks. If you continue drinking over longer periods, the liver may become inflamed causing alcoholic hepatitis and lead to cirrhosis which is scarring of the liver tissue. Symptoms of liver disease include yellowing of the skin (jaundice), abdominal pain, itchy skin, swelling, blood in stool or vomit, weight loss and confusion.

Why take this test?

This test measures the level of proteins and substances in the blood related to liver and kidney function. It can be used to investigate liver and kidney diseases. This test is similar to the liver function test but is a more comprehensive test of cholesterol status.