Liver
12 markers in this category
ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase)
What is alkaline phosphatase? And why does the result so often sit outside the line in women with nothing wrong? It is an enzyme that in adults comes from two tissues. They are the bile ducts inside the liver, and bone tissue. In women a third source joins them. During pregnancy the placenta makes its own form of the same enzyme. Menopause changes the picture too, because bone turnover speeds up again. This page sets those life stages out in order.
ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase)
The ALT value measures alanine aminotransferase, the enzyme of the liver cell. In women the upper limit is lower than in men: 34 u/l against 45. That difference is real and it is often overlooked. A normal ALT value therefore means something different here than on a general website. When the enzyme reaches the blood, liver cells have been damaged. Hormonal contraception, pregnancy and menopause all shape how you read the result.
AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase)
In women, AST is rarely the first sign of a liver problem. The enzyme also sits in muscle tissue. An intense class or a new workout therefore explains the result more often than your liver. The upper limit in women is 31 u/l, slightly lower than in men. One situation does call for immediate attention. In the second half of pregnancy AST should stay normal. Does it rise alongside headache, upper right abdominal pain or high blood pressure? Then call the same day.
Albumin
Albumin reflects liver health and nutritional status, both important for women during pregnancy and hormonal transitions. Monitoring supports comprehensive well-being.
Amylase
Amylase normally sits between 28 and 119 u/l in adults. The upper limit rises with age, to 141 u/l over 65. For women the value is read alongside the rest of the digestive picture. Hormonal shifts can nudge enzyme activity.
Bilirubin (Direct)
Direct bilirubin is a liver marker that may be influenced by hormonal factors. Women using hormonal contraception or during pregnancy may experience changes in bile flow and bilirubin metabolism, making monitoring valuable as part of comprehensive health assessment.
Bilirubin (Indirect)
Indirect bilirubin is the part of your bilirubin that your liver has not yet processed. The value is not measured separately but calculated: your total bilirubin minus your direct bilirubin, in the same unit. That split helps to show where an abnormal total is coming from. This page explains what your indirect bilirubin result can mean.
Bilirubin (Total)
Total bilirubin is a liver function marker that can be influenced by hormonal changes. Women using hormonal contraception, during pregnancy, or undergoing hormone therapy may experience fluctuations in bilirubin levels, making regular monitoring a valuable part of health assessment.
GGT (Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase)
GGT is a sensitive liver enzyme that can be influenced by hormonal factors. Women using hormonal contraception or hormone replacement therapy may experience changes in GGT levels, making regular monitoring a valuable part of comprehensive health assessment.
LDH (Lactate Dehydrogenase)
LDH is an enzyme present throughout the body, from muscle to liver to blood cell. Its full name is lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). This test measures how much LDH is present in your blood. When cells break down, LDH enters the bloodstream. Red blood cells contain a great deal of it. That makes the value especially informative in anaemia. A normal range sits around 120 to 250 U/L in most laboratories. In women, raised results usually come from two things. A vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, or the collection tube itself.
Lipase
Lipase is a key pancreatic enzyme for fat digestion. Women may experience digestive changes during pregnancy or hormonal fluctuations that can influence pancreatic function, making lipase monitoring a useful addition to health assessments.
Liver Function Test (LFT)
A liver function test offers a complete overview of liver health, which is important for women at every life stage. Hormonal contraception, pregnancy, and hormone replacement therapy can all influence liver function, making comprehensive testing a key part of women's health monitoring.