According to a Medical News Today, our liver is a complex organ and like any other organs it can experience a range of problems. A healthy liver functions very efficiently but if the liver is diseased or malfunctions the consequences can be dangerous or even fatal (Newman, 2018).
Liver Function Test
Illustration by Emily Roberts, Verywell
LAB VALUES FOR LIVER FUNCTION
- Serum Alkaline Phosphatase 44-147 or 0.73-2.45
- Manufactured in bones, liver, kidneys, & intestines & excreted thru the biliary tractSensitive measure of biliary obstruction
- Serum Aminotransferase Studies:
- The combination of AST & ALT tests together
- Based on the release of these enzymes from damaged liver cells –> increase w/ liver damage
- AST- aspartate aminotransferase (old SGOT)
- Norm 10-40 (from liver, heart, muscle, kidneys, & pancreas – NOT as specific for liver damage as ALT)
- ALT – alanine aminotransferase (old SGPT)
- Norm 5-35 (from liver predominately, lesser extent from heart, kidneys, & bones)
- Serum Bilirubin levels – measures the ability of the liver to conjugate & excrete bilirubin
- Results are HIGH in liver & biliary tract disease
- HIGH levels are assoc w/ jaundice
- Total Serum Bilirubin 0.1-1mg/dL
- ]Direct or Conjugated 0.1-0.3mg/dL –- water soluble
- Indirect or Unconjugated 0.2-0.8mg/dL
(Lewis, Bucher, Heitkemper, & Harding, 2017).
Clinic, M. (2017, May 24). Retrieved May 01, 2019, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goDqvLcYXl8
Hepatitis
Through out the world as with so many diseases we’ve come long way in understanding hepatitis. Hepatitis is a general term that means inflammation of the liver. The Ancient Greek word “hepa-“ referred to liver and “-itis” means inflammation. There are few different causes of hepatitis. One of the common causes are virus but also can be caused by drugs (alcohol), chemical, autoimmune diseases and metabolic abnormalities. There is Hepatitis A,B,C,D & E. In this blog we will be focusing on A,B and C. (Lewis et al., 2017).
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis comes in many different forms five to be exact. Hepatitis A is an RNA virus that is transmitted mainly through fecal oral routes. This form of hepatitis is extremely contagious and it’s also known as infectious hepatitis. The virus often occurs in third world countries and effects children and young adults and lasts four to eight weeks. (Lewis et al., 2017).
Risk Factors
- Fecal contamination of food or drinking water (milk, water, shellfish)
- Mode of infection usually through ingestion of food or liquid infected with virus
- Poor hygiene
- Improper handling of food
- Crowded situations
- Poor sanitary condition
- Infected food handlers
- Usually has mild course, often goes unrecognized, person may not be aware that they have the virus and are spreading it. (Lewis et al., 2017).
Signs & Symptoms
- Mild flue like symptoms
- Severe anorexia
- Jaundice & Dark urine
- ALT & AST elevated
- Hepatitis A antigen is present in stool. (Lewis et al., 2017).
Hepatitis B (HBV)
Hepatitis B is a liver infection which sometimes become chronic for some individuals, which lasts more than 6 months. The results of having chronic hepatitis B can increase the risks of advancement to liver cancer, liver cirrhosis and liver failure. (Hepatitis B, 2017, October 27).
Hepatitis B. (2017, October 27). Retrieved March 26, 2019, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hepatitis-b/symptoms-causes/syc-20366802
Risk factors
- Blood, semen, or another body fluid from an individual infected with Hepatitis B enters the body of a non-infected person.
- Sharing needled during IV drug use
- Mother to baby
- Having unprotected sex with multiple partners who may be infected with Hepatitis B
Signs and Symptoms
- Jaundice (Yellow color in the eyes or skin)
- Fever
- Clay-colored bowl movement
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dark urine
- Fatigue
Hepatitis B Questions and Answers for the Public | CDC. (n.d.). Retrieved March 26, 2019, from https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hbv/bfaq.htm#symptoms
Hepatitis B Questions and Answers for the Public | CDC. (n.d.). Retrieved March 26, 2019, from https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hbv/bfaq.htm#symptoms
Hepatitis B. (2017, October 27). Retrieved March 26, 2019, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hepatitis-b/symptoms-causes/syc-20366802
Hepatitis C (HCV)
Hepatitis C is also a viral liver infection. It affects the liver by attacking the liver causing inflammation.(Hepatitis C Questions and Answers for the Public, 2019, March 26).
Risk factors
- Mother to baby transmission
- Injecting or inhaling drugs
- Healthcare worker who’s been sticked with with an infected needle.
- Receiving hemodialysis for a long period of time
Signs and Symptoms
- Jaundice (Yellow color in the eyes or skin)
- Fever
- Clay-colored bowl movement
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dark urine
- Fatigue
Liver Cirrhosis
Liver Cirrhosis is severe scarring of the liver, which is caused by other conditions related to the liver, such as Alcoholism and Hepatitis. Each time the liver is affected by either chronic alcoholism or other diseases, it intents to repair itself. While the liver aims to repair itself, scar tissue is formed. This scar tissue makes it difficult for the liver to perform. Unfortunately, the damage cause by the scarring for the liver cannot be undone, but it can be treated if it is caught early. (Cirrhosis. 2018, December 07).
Cirrhosis. (2018, December 07). Retrieved
March 26, 2019, from
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cirrhosis/symptoms- causes/syc-20351487
Risk Factors
- Viral Infection Hepatitis – A & B
- Diabetes and obesity
- Overconsumption of alcohol
Signs and Symptoms
- Fatigue
- Jaundice
- Digestive tract bleeding
- Swelling of feet, ankles and legs
- Itchy skin
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Hepatic encephalopathy ( Slurred speech, confusion and drowsiness)
LiverCare 