Buy a liver function test and check your liver values

Your liver is one of the hardest working organs in your body, but it rarely complains. Vague signals such as tiredness or a full feeling can mean all sorts of things and say little about your liver function on their own. A blood test can add some context here.

A liver function test looks at substances that can say something about how your liver is working, such as liver enzymes. If these differ from what is usual, that can be a starting point to look further together with your GP.

This test can be useful if you are curious about your liver values, or if you want to get your liver tested without having to make an appointment straight away. You do not need a specific complaint to want a picture of your liver.

Some women choose it because they are mindful of their lifestyle, others because they use medication that can put a load on the liver, or simply because they want to know how things stand. Whatever your reason, this blood test gives you a factual starting point.

This test maps your liver function through one combined measurement in your blood:

• Liver Function Test (LFT): a panel that bundles a number of liver values, including liver enzymes and related substances that together give an impression of how your liver is functioning right now.

These values do not tell the whole story on their own, but together they can sketch a picture you can discuss with your GP.

Your liver values can give an impression of how your liver is doing. Values that fall within the usual range can be reassuring. Values that differ from it may be a reason to take a closer look.

Good to know: abnormal liver values do not automatically point to a problem. They can be temporary and influenced by many things, from intense exercise to certain medication. The result is a starting point for a conversation, not a conclusion. A doctor can help you place the values in the right context.

This test requires a small blood draw at a certified laboratory. In the Netherlands you can choose from more than 750 sample points, spread across the whole country.

After ordering, you pick a location near you and schedule a moment that suits you. The draw itself usually takes just a few minutes, and you do not need a referral from your GP.

Measuring your liver function can be valuable at different moments, for example:

• when you want to get your liver tested and simply want to know how it is doing
• when your lifestyle or diet has changed and you are curious about the effect
• when you use medication or supplements that may affect the liver
• when you had abnormal liver values before and want to look at them again

If you want to measure your liver values, you can do so at a moment that suits you best.

Your result shows your liver values together with a reference range and a short explanation. What counts as usual can vary slightly per laboratory.

A value that falls outside the range can mean different things and does not have to be worrying on its own. Sometimes a small deviation is temporary or easily explained. The doctor helps you interpret your results and decide whether a conversation with your GP could be worthwhile.

For a liver function test you usually do not need to fast, and no complicated preparation is required. That said, some things can temporarily influence your liver values, such as intense exercise or alcohol shortly before the draw.

It can therefore help to pick an ordinary day, without unusual exertion beforehand. If you receive specific instructions with your order, follow those.

Your result is usually available online within a few working days. Each value is shown clearly with a reference range and an explanation, so you understand what you see.

Every blood test result includes a professional assessment from a BIG-registered doctor. For treatment decisions, discuss your results with your GP.