Liver Function Test - Atlas Home

LIVER FUNCTION TEST

The liver is a large organ of the body responsible for a wide range of vital functions including the breakdown of by-products of body metabolism and their excretion through the bile out into the intestine. A prime characteristic of failure in liver functions is inability to excrete bilirubin (a by-product of the breakdown of red blood cells). Excess Bilirubin in the body causes Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes). Jaundice is usually developed in cases of liver diseases such as Hepatitis, liver cancer and cirrhosis (a chronic disease that causes the scarring of liver and interferes with the normal functionality of the liver). It also appears due to obstructions in the biliary tract due to gallstone, infections or tumors which can restrict the movement of bilirubin into the intestine. Jaundice, however, is not exclusive to failures in liver functions. It can also be caused by excessive breakdown of Red Blood Cells (a condition common in newborns and known as Hemolysis). Excess Bilirubin in the body will eventually appear in the urine. Therefore, appearance of Bilirubin in Urine is a sign of liver failure. However, since the presence of bilirubin is also associated with hemolysis, Urobilinogen (a product of bilirubin reduction formed in the intestines by bacterial action) can be used to confirm cases of liver failure.

Atlas Home Liver Function Test
provides a dip-and-read test strip to
check for the presence of bilirubin
and Urobilinogen in urine specimens
as an aid in the diagnosis of liver
function problems.

When to test

• Jaundice: yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes.
• Pain in the right upper abdomen accompanied by pain in the back.
• Abdominal swelling.
• Weakness and loss of muscle mass.
• Light color of feces and/or dark color of urine.