The liver performs several essential functions. It processes nutrients, helps break down alcohol and certain medicines, produces important proteins and supports the removal of waste products from the body. When the liver is affected by illness or other factors, blood tests may provide useful information about its condition.
For people considering liver health testing in Johannesburg, the first step is understanding which tests may be appropriate and how the results should be interpreted.
When might liver health testing be recommended?
A healthcare professional may recommend liver blood tests for several reasons. These can include investigating symptoms, monitoring an existing condition or assessing possible effects from alcohol, medication or metabolic risk factors.
Fatty liver disease is one concern that may prompt further assessment. It can be associated with factors such as type 2 diabetes, excess weight, high blood pressure and abnormal blood fat levels. Alcohol use and some medicines can also affect liver health, although the causes and patterns of liver injury differ.
Liver conditions do not always produce noticeable symptoms in their early stages. However, tiredness, abdominal discomfort, nausea or yellowing of the skin and eyes may warrant medical assessment. These symptoms can have several causes, so they should not be used to diagnose liver disease without appropriate investigation.
A doctor can assess a person's medical history and decide whether liver blood tests, imaging or other investigations are needed.
What does a liver blood test measure?
Liver testing is not limited to one measurement. Different tests provide different pieces of information, which is why healthcare professionals often assess several results together.
Common liver enzymes include ALT and AST. These can rise when cells are injured, although AST may also be affected by conditions involving other tissues, such as muscle.
GGT and ALP can help assess patterns associated with the liver and bile ducts. Bilirubin is a substance produced when old red blood cells are broken down. Measuring total and direct bilirubin helps assess how the body processes and removes it.
Albumin is a protein made by the liver. Its level can provide information about protein status and one aspect of liver function, although low levels can also occur with kidney conditions, inflammation and nutritional problems.
Platelets are included in some liver profiles because a lower platelet count can sometimes be associated with advanced chronic liver disease. However, platelet levels can change for many other reasons.
No single result can confirm every liver condition. The overall pattern, symptoms and medical history all matter.
Why are hepatitis B and hepatitis C screening included in some profiles?
Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are viral infections that can affect the liver. Some people may have an infection without experiencing obvious symptoms.
A hepatitis B surface antigen test looks for a marker associated with current hepatitis B infection. A hepatitis C antibody test looks for evidence that the immune system has encountered the virus. A reactive hepatitis C antibody result does not necessarily mean the infection is currently active; additional testing may be needed.
These screening tests can provide useful information when recommended by a healthcare professional. Follow-up depends on the result and the person's circumstances.
Where can Johannesburg residents enquire about liver health testing?
Togalab provides a Liver Health Profile that combines several relevant measurements in one profile. The listed tests include ALT, AST, GGT, ALP, total and direct bilirubin, albumin, platelets, hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis C antibodies.
The profile may be considered when a healthcare professional is investigating concerns related to fatty liver disease, alcohol or medication. Professional guidance is recommended to establish whether the profile is suitable and to interpret the findings.
People in Johannesburg who are considering testing can contact Togalab to ask about the available arrangements, collection instructions and any preparation that may be required. It is important to confirm the relevant collection options rather than assume that every service is available at every location.
Togalab Client Services can be contacted on 011 663 6300 or at [email protected]. Enquiries can also be made through Togalab on WhatsApp.
What should you do after receiving your results?
An abnormal liver result does not automatically mean that a person has serious liver disease. Results can be influenced by several factors, and some changes may need to be repeated or investigated further.
A healthcare professional may recommend additional blood tests, imaging or specialist assessment, depending on the findings. Anyone with a reactive hepatitis screening result should follow up for appropriate interpretation and any further testing that may be needed.
People who develop yellowing of the skin or eyes, severe abdominal pain, confusion, vomiting blood or black, tarry stools should seek urgent medical assessment rather than wait for routine testing.
Understanding what liver tests can and cannot tell you helps make the testing process more useful. For Johannesburg residents, the most appropriate starting point is a conversation with a healthcare professional, followed by confirmation of suitable testing and collection arrangements with a laboratory service such as Togalab.