Liver Disease

Overview

Liver disease is any condition that affects your heart such as

• Chronic liver disease is characterised by scarring and destruction of the liver tissue.
• The liver is the largest organ in the body, weighing approximately 1.5kg and is vital for life. 
• It is located in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen tucked underneath the ribs
•  It processes digested food from the intestine by breaking it down into glucose and converting into glycogen for energy storage
•  Another key function is the removal of waste products from the blood. 

Symptoms

Common symptoms of Liver disease may include:

There are a few common signs that often point to some kind of liver issue.

• yellow skin and eyes (jaundice)
• dark urine
• pale, bloody, or black (tarlike) stool
• swollen ankles, legs, or abdomen
• nausea
• vomiting
• decrease in appetite
• persistent fatigue
• skin that feels itchy
• bruising more easily than usual

Are you at risk for liver disease?

Factors that can put you at increased risk for liver disease are:

Factors that may increase your risk of liver disease include:

• • Heavy alcohol use
  • Obesity
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Tattoos or body piercings
  • Injecting drugs using shared needles
  • Blood transfusion before 1992
  • Exposure to other people’s blood and body fluids
  • Unprotected sex
  • Exposure to certain chemicals or toxins
  • Family history of liver disease

Diagnosis

There are various tests used to diagnose liver disease. The doctor may start by asking

• Personal and Family medical history
• Current and past symptoms
• Laboratory tests and an electrocardiogram.

Based on the results of the assessment and tests, further tests may be required

Laboratory Tests

Alanine transaminase (ALT) test

Alanine transaminase (ALT) is used by your body to metabolize protein. If the liver is damaged or not functioning properly, ALT can be released into the blood. This causes ALT levels to increase.

Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) test

Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) is an enzyme found in several parts of your body, including the heart, liver, and muscles. Since AST levels aren’t as specific for liver damage as ALT, it’s usually measured together with ALT to check for liver problems.

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) test

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme found in your bones, bile ducts, and liver. An ALP test is typically ordered in combination with several other tests.

Albumin test

Albumin is the main protein made by your liver. It performs many important bodily functions. For example, albumin:

• stops fluid from leaking out of your blood vessels
• nourishes your tissues
• transports hormones, vitamins, and other substances throughout your body

Bilirubin test

Bilirubin is a waste product from the breakdown of red blood cells. It’s ordinarily processed by the liver. It passes through the liver before being excreted through your stool.

• The pressures in the heart and the lungs are normal.