Three sets of tests to determine the condition of the liver and digestive system

Three sets of tests to determine the condition of the liver and digestive system

When and Why the Liver Health Panel May Be Ordered

The panel is often ordered for individuals showing signs of liver disease, those with a known history of liver conditions, or at high risk due to factors like family history or exposure to hepatitis viruses.

Collection Method: Blood draw

Specimen Type: Whole Blood and Serum

Test Preparation: Patient should be fasting for at least 9 hours prior to collection. Specimen collection should be done in the morning.

LabMed Egypt offers three sets of tests designed by leading consultants:

1. Basic Liver Test Package

2. Comprehensive Liver Panel

3. Advanced Liver Test Package

What the Liver Health Panel Checks For

• Alpha-1-Antitrypsin: Evaluates levels of alpha-1-antitrypsin, screening for deficiency that can lead to liver disease.
• Alpha-Fetoprotein : Serves as markers for liver cancer; AFP-L3 percentage is particularly associated with hepatocellular carcinoma.
• Bilirubin: Assesses liver's ability to process waste, with direct, indirect, and total bilirubin levels providing insight into liver function and bile duct integrity.
• Ceruloplasmin: Low levels can indicate Wilson's disease, a disorder of copper metabolism.
• Comprehensive Metabolic Panel: Offers a broad overview of liver function, kidney function, and blood sugar levels.
• Copper: High liver copper levels can diagnose Wilson's disease.
• Gamma Glutamyl Transferase: High levels suggest liver or bile duct damage.
• Hepatitis Screening: Includes tests for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B Core IgM, Hepatitis B Surface Antigen, and Hepatitis C Antibody, along with Quantitative Hepatitis C Viral RNA Real-Time PCR for a detailed analysis of hepatitis C viral load.
• Iron and Total Iron Binding Capacity: Evaluates the body's iron storage and can indicate conditions like hemochromatosis.
• Lactate Dehydrogenase: High levels can indicate liver damage or disease.
• Prothrombin Time with INR: Measures the liver's ability to produce proteins needed for blood clotting, with implications for liver function.

Conditions and Diseases Detected by the LH-4 Liver Health Panel

The panel is crucial for diagnosing and monitoring:

• Liver Cancer: Markers like Alpha-Fetoprotein, AFP can indicate the presence of hepatocellular carcinoma.
• Viral Hepatitis: Comprehensive hepatitis testing allows for the diagnosis and monitoring of hepatitis A, B, and C infections, including chronic conditions and treatment responses.
• Wilson's Disease: Abnormal ceruloplasmin and copper levels can confirm this genetic disorder.
• Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency: Low levels of alpha-1-antitrypsin can suggest this condition, leading to liver damage.
• Hemochromatosis: Elevated iron levels and saturation may indicate this genetic disorder, which can lead to liver cirrhosis.

Using the LH-4 Liver Health Panel Results in Clinical Practice

Healthcare professionals leverage the panel results to:

• Tailor Liver Cancer Treatments: Utilizing specific tumor markers to guide treatment decisions and monitor therapy effectiveness.
• Manage Viral Hepatitis: Guiding antiviral treatment choices and assessing response to therapy, particularly in chronic hepatitis C with the use of viral load measurements.
• Diagnose Genetic Conditions: Informing the diagnosis and management of Wilson's disease and alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, including genetic counseling and treatment planning.
• Monitor Liver Function and Damage: Evaluating liver enzyme levels, bilirubin, and clotting function to assess liver health and guide interventions to prevent further damage.