How to Check Liver Function

A liver function test measures a variety of proteins, enzymes and waste products in the blood stream to determine your liver's overall health. It's not hard to have a liver function test done, and having the test can give you valuable information about your health. Your doctor can give you important treatment advice on a variety of conditions and diseases after assessing the liver. Although a liver function test does not require you to do much, it is important to know what to expect when having one done.

Instructions

• 1

  Discuss the need for a liver function test with your doctor. These tests may be needed if you are on certain medications, drink excessively or have certain diseases.

• 2

  Ask your doctor how to prepare. You may need to fast or stop taking certain medications beforehand. However, this will depend on what is being measured in the liver function test.

• 3

  Wear a short-sleeved shirt the day of your liver test. Your doctor will take a blood sample by inserting a small needle into a vein in your arm.

• 4

  Use a piece of gauze and hold it over where the needle was removed from your arm. Apply a little pressure for about a minute. This will stop any bleeding.

• 5

  Wait for your results. If the lab analysis is done on site, you may only wait a few hours. If it is done off site, you may have to wait a few days.

• 6

  Discuss your results with your doctor. Normal test results can be found online at the Mayo Clinic or on Dr. Sandra Cabot's website. If your results are outside the normal range, ask your doctor what steps you should be taking to improve your health.