Question 1

What is Liver Injury?

Accepted Answer

Liver injury is damage to liver cells caused by medications, toxins, infections, alcohol, or physical trauma. It occurs when hepatocytes (liver cells) become inflamed or die, releasing enzymes like alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) into the bloodstream. The Liver Function Profile is the most important test for diagnosing liver injury because it measures these specific liver enzymes.

Question 2

What causes liver injury?

Accepted Answer

Liver injury is caused by medications like acetaminophen and statins, excessive alcohol consumption, viral infections such as hepatitis B and hepatitis C, environmental toxins, fatty liver disease, and autoimmune conditions. Acetaminophen overdose is one of the most common causes of acute liver injury in the United States. When liver cells are damaged by these factors, they release enzymes into your bloodstream that can be detected through blood tests.

Question 3

What is the best test for liver injury?

Accepted Answer

The Liver Function Profile is the most important test for liver injury because it measures critical liver enzymes including ALT (alanine aminotransferase), AST (aspartate aminotransferase), alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin levels. ALT is particularly sensitive to liver cell damage and elevated levels directly indicate active liver injury or inflammation. This comprehensive panel also assesses how well your liver is producing proteins like albumin and processing waste products, giving your healthcare provider a complete picture of your liver health and the severity of any damage.

Question 4

When should I get tested for liver injury?

Accepted Answer

You should get tested if you experience yellowing of your skin or eyes (jaundice), persistent fatigue, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal pain in the upper right side, unexplained nausea or vomiting, or if you take medications known to affect the liver. Testing is also important if you have been exposed to hepatitis, consume alcohol regularly, or have been using acetaminophen or other medications at high doses. Early detection through blood work can prevent serious complications and help your doctor adjust treatments before permanent liver damage occurs.

Question 5

What are the symptoms of liver injury?

Accepted Answer

Symptoms of liver injury include fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or swelling in the upper right side, dark-colored urine, pale or clay-colored stools, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). Some people with mild liver injury experience no symptoms at all, which is why blood tests are crucial for early detection. As liver damage progresses, you might notice easy bruising, itchy skin, swelling in your legs and ankles, or mental confusion.

Question 6

Who is at risk for liver injury?

Accepted Answer

People at higher risk for liver injury include those who regularly consume alcohol, take medications like acetaminophen, statins, or antibiotics, have viral hepatitis infections, are overweight or obese with fatty liver disease, have diabetes or metabolic syndrome, or work with industrial chemicals and toxins. Healthcare workers exposed to blood-borne pathogens and people with autoimmune conditions also face increased risk. If you take multiple medications or herbal supplements, your risk increases because your liver must process all these substances.

Question 7

What happens if liver injury is left untreated?

Accepted Answer

Untreated liver injury can progress to chronic liver disease, cirrhosis (permanent scarring), liver failure, and liver cancer. As liver function declines, your body loses its ability to filter toxins, produce essential proteins for blood clotting, and process nutrients properly. This can lead to life-threatening complications including internal bleeding, kidney failure, brain dysfunction (hepatic encephalopathy), severe infections, and fluid accumulation in the abdomen. Early detection through blood tests and prompt treatment can prevent these serious outcomes and allow your liver to heal.

Question 8

Can liver injury be diagnosed with a blood test?

Accepted Answer

Yes, liver injury can be effectively diagnosed with blood tests that measure liver enzymes and function markers. The Liver Function Profile detects elevated levels of ALT and AST, which are released when liver cells are damaged or dying. Blood tests also measure bilirubin (a waste product your liver should process), albumin (a protein your liver produces), and alkaline phosphatase (an enzyme indicating bile duct problems). These markers together provide clear evidence of liver injury and help your doctor determine the cause and severity of the damage.

Question 9

How is liver injury treated?

Accepted Answer

Treatment for liver injury depends on the underlying cause and involves stopping the harmful agent, supporting liver recovery, and preventing further damage. If medications or toxins caused the injury, you must discontinue them immediately. For alcohol-related liver injury, complete abstinence is essential. Viral hepatitis requires antiviral medications, while autoimmune liver disease may need immunosuppressive therapy. Your doctor may recommend vitamin supplements, dietary changes to reduce liver workload, and regular blood tests to monitor healing. In severe cases, hospitalization or liver transplantation may be necessary.

Question 10

How can I prevent liver injury?

Accepted Answer

You can prevent liver injury by limiting alcohol consumption, taking medications only as prescribed and avoiding acetaminophen overdose, getting vaccinated against hepatitis A and hepatitis B, maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise, avoiding exposure to toxic chemicals and using protective equipment when necessary, and not sharing needles or personal items that might carry blood-borne infections. Be cautious with herbal supplements as some can harm your liver. Have regular check-ups and blood work if you take medications that affect liver function, and always inform your doctor about all medications and supplements you use.

Question 11

What can I do at home for liver injury?

Accepted Answer

At home, you can support liver recovery by completely avoiding alcohol, following a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins while limiting processed foods and saturated fats, staying hydrated with plenty of water, and getting adequate rest to allow your body to heal. Avoid taking unnecessary medications or supplements without consulting your doctor, as these add stress to your liver. Maintain a healthy weight through gentle exercise as tolerated. However, home care should complement, not replace, medical treatment. Regular blood tests are essential to monitor your liver enzymes and ensure your liver is healing properly.

Question 12

How’s this work?

Accepted Answer

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.Long story short:
            
                In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want.
                If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test.
                Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout.
                If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want.
                When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system.
                Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way.
                You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy!
                If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

Question 13

How do I know which test to get?

Accepted Answer

In the test options, find the test you want.
            If you’re not sure which test to get, we can lend a hand in finding the right option.
            Just text or call us at 754-799-7833, email us at support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you. We've got your back and reply quickly.

Question 14

When will my lab results be available?

Accepted Answer

Most test results will be available within 1–3 business days. Once they're ready, we'll send an email and text message to let you know.
            After your blood draw, just hang tight and don't worry – we'll keep you updated and in the loop!
            If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you.

Question 15

Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you.
            Just reach out to us via text at 754-799-7833 or shoot us an email at
            support@privatemdlabs.com. Remember to include your order number and let us know the correct information you’d like to update.
            Our awesome team will jump right in and make sure everything is sorted out and accurate for you.
            There are no changes necessary if your address is wrong on the requisition though. We don’t mail anything out.
            Our lab requires an address to be listed to generate an order.

Question 16

Do you accept health insurance?

Accepted Answer

Only HSA & FSA is accepted.
            Our services are strictly self-pay and cannot be submitted to your health insurance provider except for Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts.
            This policy applies to all insurance companies, including federal health insurance programs like Medicare.
            If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.

Question 17

Can I cancel my order?

Accepted Answer

Yes.
            We get it – sometimes your needs change.
            As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order.
            If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.
            You can read more about our cancellation policy here.

Question 18

How can I find a lab location near me?

Accepted Answer

During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached!
            You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp).
            Before you proceed with your order, feel free to browse through all our lab locations here. This will give you the peace of mind of knowing that there's a lab nearby your home, office or your favorite gym.
            If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

Liver Injury Blood Test

What is Liver Injury?

What causes liver injury?

What is the best test for liver injury?

When should I get tested for liver injury?

References

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