What are the four liver function tests

Liver disease is relatively complicated. Many types of liver disease cannot be cured and may even tend to worsen. This is because the patient did not receive good treatment when the disease first occurred. Therefore, special attention must be paid and a comprehensive assessment of one's liver must be conducted. At this time, four liver function tests must be performed.

Most of the routine liver function tests performed clinically cannot fully and accurately reflect the liver's compensatory capacity, and it is generally difficult to make an accurate performance assessment. Therefore, the evaluation of liver function should be based on specific analysis and should be conducted comprehensively, historically, focusedly and dynamically.

1. Look at it comprehensively: The liver is a metabolic organ with very complex functions, and no single test can reflect the full picture of liver function. When certain aspects of liver function are impaired, a liver function test that is sensitive to it may first show abnormalities, while other liver function tests may be normal.

Therefore, several liver function tests should be performed at the same time clinically. In addition to these liver function tests, some other items should also be checked, such as routine blood tests, five hepatitis B tests, hepatitis B virus DNA, abdominal B-ultrasound, CT or MRI examinations. It should be noted that esophageal barium meal fluoroscopy and gastroscopy are also essential. If necessary, liver puncture biopsy and ascites examination should also be performed.

2. Historically: Detailed medical history is very helpful in evaluating liver function tests, and some can provide extremely valuable clues. The history of gastrointestinal bleeding and infection in the current medical history can reflect the liver function. If there is a history of severe infection, the liver function will decline significantly, and even acute liver failure may occur.

3. Observe dynamically: It is necessary to observe the changes in liver function dynamically, whether it is gradually improving or going downhill, whether it is always stable or fluctuating repeatedly. You cannot jump to conclusions based on just one liver function result.

4. Focus on the key points: A large number of liver function test results may sometimes confuse you. It is recommended that you should grasp the key points. The liver function test should focus on protein metabolism test (albumin, coagulation factors and blood ammonia, etc.), bilirubin metabolism test (serum total bilirubin), lipid and lipoprotein metabolism test (serum cholesterol), serum enzyme test (transaminase and choline esterase, etc.), serum enzymes that mainly reflect cholestasis (alkaline phosphatase, etc.), liver reserve function test (oral glucose tolerance test OGTT), etc.