Liver Health Panel

Introduction

The biggest role of the liver is to filter blood at a rate of about a litre per minute. It also produces bile, cholesterol, and various proteins, converts glucose into glycogen for storage, stores iron, regulates blood clotting, removes bilirubin, makes immune factors to fight infections, breaks down fats, and processes drugs and other substances. Controlled inflammation is essential for healthy liver function. However, if liver inflammation becomes dysregulated it causes complications and liver damage. Early diagnosis of liver issues is essential as the liver is very good at repairing and regenerating itself.

Pricing

$99

How to order a test

What is Included?

Measurement of total protein levels by the biuret methodology.

Measurement of albumin levels by colorimetric methodology.

Calculation of globulin levels using total protein and albumin measurements.

Measurement of gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels by L-gamma-glutamyl-3-carboxy-4-nitroanilide substrate methodology.

Measurement of total bilirubin levels by the diazonium salt methodology.

Measurement of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels by enzymatic NADH methodology.

Measurement of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels by para-nitrophenyl phosphate methodology.

Turnaround Time

1 – 3 business days
The turnaround time is not guaranteed. The average turnaround time is 1 – 3 business days from the date that the sample arrives at the laboratory. Shipping time for the sample is not included. Additional time is required if the case requires confirmatory or reflex testing, or if the sample is insufficient, or if a recollection is required.

Related Documents

Additional Information and Resources

» What are the signs of liver disease?

Preparation Before Specimen Collection

Blood sample should be collected in a fasting state (8 – 12 hours).

Alcohol consumption can increase GGT levels, and should be avoided prior to collecting the blood sample for this test.

Specimen Type

Blood

Volume

50 μL in a microtainer

Container

Microtainer (regular blood tube)

Collection Method

This test requires a blood sample from a finger prick. All supplies for sample collection are provided in the kit.

1. First wash and dry hands. Warm hands aid in blood collection.
2. Clean the finger prick site with the alcohol swab and allow to air dry.
3. Use the provided lancet to puncture the skin in one quick, continuous and deliberate stroke.
4. Wipe away the first drop of blood.
5. Massage hand and finger to increase blood flow to the puncture site. Angle arm and hand downwards to facilitate blood collection on the fingertip.
6. Drip blood into the microtainer tube.
7. Dispose of all sharps safely and return sample to the laboratory in the provided prepaid return shipping envelope.

NOTES: Avoid squeezing or ‘milking’ the finger excessively. If more blood is required and blood flow stops, perform a second skin puncture on another finger. Do not touch the fingertip.

Specimen Storage

Maintain specimen at temperatures between 2°C and 30°C during storage and transport.

Ensure that your blood sample is not exposed to bright light.

Specimen Stability

Blood samples can be refrigerated or kept at room temperature for up to 7 days.

Causes for Rejection

• Incorrect or incomplete patient identification
• Incorrect specimen collection
• Inappropriate storage and transport conditions
• Incorrect specimen volume
• Hemolysis
• Excessive lipemia

Purpose

To measure the levels of various proteins in a blood sample for the evaluation of nutritional status and liver health, and detection of liver disease. 

Limitations

• This report is not intended for use in medico-legal applications. 
• These results should be interpreted in conjunction with other laboratory and clinical information.
• Correct specimen collection and handling is required for optimal assay performance. 
• Interferences from medication or endogenous substances may affect results.
• Additional testing is usually required to determine which globulin fraction is affected in individuals with increased or decreased globulin levels.
• Medications that can increase GGT levels include DilantinTM, carbamazepine and phenobarbital, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and cholesterol medications.
• Elevated GGT levels occur in various health issues, and are not limited to just liver disease. Elevated GGT results must be interpreted in conjunction with other laboratory and clinical data.
• Patients with Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia may have artificially elevated bilirubin values from this assay due to certain paraproteins, particularly IgM.
• Indocyanine green (ICG) may interfere with this assay. Specimens from individuals undergoing evaluations using ICG must be collected after ICG has been eliminated.
• Alanine aminotransferase levels may be increased in obese individuals

Methodology

Biuret methodology (Alinity c Total Protein assay)

Colorimetric (Bromcresol Purple) (Alinity c Albumin BCP assay)

L-gamma-glutamyl-3-carboxy-4-nitroanilide substrate methodology (Alinity c Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase assay)

Diazonium salt methodology (Alinity c Total Bilirubin assay)

Enzymatic NADH (Alinity c Alanine Aminotransferase assay)

Para-nitrophenyl phosphate methodology (Alinity c Alkaline Phosphatase assay)

Reference Intervals

These reference ranges were obtained from
¹ Rifai N, Horvath AR, & Wittwer C. (2018). Tietz textbook of clinical chemistry and molecular diagnostics (Sixth edition.). St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier.
² University of California San Francisco.
³ Reed R. (2020). Clinical Chemistry Learning Guide Series. Editors Armbruster D & Cooper K. Abbott.
⁴ Kaplan LA, Pesce AJ, editors. Clinical Chemistry Theory, Analysis, and Correlation, 2nd ed. St Louis, MO: CV Mosby; 1989:895–898.