Research Biomarker Category Liver Health

Liver Health

Your liver’s main function is to filter blood coming from the digestive tract before passing it throughout the body. A vital organ, your liver is also responsible for detoxifying chemicals, metabolizing drugs, producing proteins, and more. Liver dysfunction can have a negative impact on your immune system and energy levels and can lead to liver disease and cancer.

Abnormal Protein Band 1

Optimal range: 0 - 0.01 g/dL

Actin (Smooth muscle) Antibody (IgG)

Optimal range: 0 - 20 u

Actin (Smooth Muscle) Antibody (IgG) - Actin is the major antigen to which smooth muscle antibodies react in autoimmune hepatitis.

F-Actin IGG antibodies are found in 52-85% of patients with Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH) or chronic active hepatitis and in 22% of patients with Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC). Anti-Actin antibodies have been reported in 3-18% of sera from normal healthy controls.

Alanine-aminotransferase (ALT, SGPT)

Optimal range: 0 - 32 U/L

Alanine-aminotransferase (ALT) is an enzyme produced by the liver and is used to facilitate chemical reactions in the body. A high level of ALT in the blood is typically an indication of liver damage. ALT tests are frequently run along side other tests (such as an alkaline phosphatase test) to determine the source of liver damage.

Alanine-aminotransferase (ALT) is found in highest concentrations in the liver but also in smaller amounts in heart, muscle and kidney. May be elevated due to hepatocellular disease, biliary issues, pancreatitis.

Albumin, Serum

Optimal range: 3.8 - 4.8 g/dL

Albumin is a protein created by our liver and is used in a variety of functions throughout the body, including: tissue maintenance and transportation of molecules. Unusual albumin levels typically indicate liver disease or kidney disease.

Albumin is the most abundant plasma protein in serum, synthesized in the liver, binds to other compounds in the blood and contributes to the plasma osmotic gradient. May be elevated due to dehydration. May be decreased due to infection, inflammation, liver disease, kidney disease.

Albumin/Globulin (A/G) Ratio

Optimal range: 1.2 - 2.2 Ratio

The albumin to globulin (A/G) ratio has been used as an index of disease state, however, it is not a specific marker for disease because it does not indicate which specific proteins are altered.

Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)

Optimal range: 39 - 117 U/L

ALP is an enzyme generated most commonly in the liver, bones, and placenta. Its main function is to assist in the breakdown of proteins. ALP tests are typically ordered as an assessment of a liver or bone disease.

ALP may be increased due to liver obstruction, cirrhosis, gastrointestinal issues, hyperphosphatemia, hyperparathyroidism. May be decreased due to nutrient deficiencies (zinc, magnesium, and/or Vit C).

Alpha-1-Globulin, Serum

Optimal range: 0 - 0.4 g/dL

Protein in the serum is made up of albumin (∼ 60%) and globulin.

Globulins are divided into alpha-1, alpha-2, beta, and gamma globulins.

Alpha-2-Globulin, Serum

Optimal range: 0.4 - 1 g/dL

Globulins are divided into alpha-1, alpha-2, beta, and gamma globulins.

Aspartate-aminotransferase (AST, SGOT)

Optimal range: 0 - 40 U/L

Aspartate-aminotransferase (AST) and alanine-aminotransferase (ALT) are both produced by the liver and serve in functions throughout the human body. Aspartate-aminotransferase is most commonly related to liver health. Blood tests for AST and ALT are often ordered together to identify the source of damage in our organs.

AST is an intracellular enzyme that is usually elevated due to active tissue and cellular destruction. May be elevated due to hepatitis, liver cirrhosis or alcoholism, hypothyroidism. May be decreased due to Vit B6 deficiency, elevated serum nitrogen.

Beta Globulin, Serum

Optimal range: 0.7 - 1.3 g/dL

Protein in the serum is made up of albumin (∼60%) and globulin. Together with albumin, globulin forms the total protein level on a blood test lab report. It includes carrier proteins, enzymes, clotting factors, and, predominantly, antibodies.

Globulin is categorized into three main groups:

alpha globulins
beta globulins
gamma globulins

Beta-1-Globulin, Serum

Optimal range: 0.4 - 0.6 g/dL

There are four main types of globulins. They are called

- alpha 1,

- alpha 2,

- beta,

- and gamma.

Beta-2-Globulin, Serum

Optimal range: 0.2 - 0.5 g/dL

There are four main types of globulins. They are called

- alpha 1,

- alpha 2,

- beta,

- and gamma.

Bilirubin Direct

Optimal range: 0 - 0.4 mg/dL

Bilirubin is a waste byproduct of the breakdown of red blood cells. Yellow in coloration, bilirubin is filtered out of the blood by the liver and excreted in stool by the intestines. Bilirubin tests are done when a disease or blockage of the liver is suspected. Direct bilirubin differs from indirect bilirubin in that it is bound to a sugar and is therefore water soluble.

Bilirubin Indirect

Optimal range: 0.2 - 0.9 mg/dL

The Indirect Bilirubin test measures how much bilirubin is in your blood. It originates from the breakdown of hemoglobin in the red blood cells, but must be removed by your liver.

Bilirubin Total

Optimal range: 0 - 1.2 mg/dL

Bilirubin is a waste byproduct of the breakdown of red blood cells. Yellow in coloration, bilirubin is filtered out of the blood by the liver and excreted in stool by the intestines. Bilirubin tests are done when a disease or blockage of the liver is suspected.

Gamma Globulin, Serum

Optimal range: 0.4 - 1.8 g/dL

Gamma globulin is a major class of immunoglobulins found in the blood, including many of the most common antibodies circulating in the blood.

The gamma globulin band consists of 5 immunoglobulins:

80% is immunoglobulin G (IgG)
15% is immunoglobulin A (IgA)
5% is immunoglobulin M (IgM)
0.2% is immunoglobulin D (IgD)
A trace is immunoglobulin E (IgE)

Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT)

Optimal range: 0 - 65 U/L

Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) is an enzyme most commonly associated with the liver. GGT tests are often run to determine the cause and extent of liver damage or to monitor treatment of alcohol abuse disorders. While an elevated GGT score may be a cause for concern, a normal or low score is generally not.

Globulin, Serum

Optimal range: 1.5 - 4.5 g/dL

Globulin is a plasma protein with different subtypes. May be elevated due to cancer, autoimmunity, elevated estrogen. May be decreased due to hemolytic anemia, nephrosis, compromised immune system.

Mitochondrial (M2) Antibody

Optimal range: 0 - 20 Units

The presence of mitochondrial antibodies can be used in conjunction with clinical findings and other laboratory tests to aid in the diagnosis of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). PBC is a chronic disease in which the bile ducts in your liver are slowly destroyed.

Pre-Albumin

Optimal range: 18 - 38 mg/dL

The prealbumin screen is a blood test that may be used to see if you are getting enough nutrition in your diet. This may be because you have a chronic condition. Or it may be because you have an infection or inflammation, or you suffered a trauma.

Prealbumin is a protein that is made mainly by your liver. Your body uses it to make other proteins. Prealbumin also carries thyroid hormones in the blood

Prealbumin

Optimal range: 14 - 35 mg/dL

Evaluate protein malnutrition, total parenteral nutrition, and liver dysfunction. Values are decreased in inflammatory processes, malignancy, protein malnutrition, and protein wasting diseases of the gut or kidney. Values are increased in Hodgkin's disease.

Total Protein, Serum

Optimal range: 6 - 8.5 g/dL

Total protein is a measure of two types of protein: albumin and globulin. Abnormal protein levels are seen in a number of disorders; therefore, total protein levels are often used, along with other tests, to diagnose things like liver disease and kidney disease.