Liver Function Blood Test

This test cannot diagnose a specific liver disease and does not provide insight into the exact cause of abnormal values. Additional tests, such as imaging or follow-up tests by your GP, may be necessary.

Some liver problems can be treated or reversed. However, treatment depends on the cause of the diagnosis. Please consult your GP for more information on treatment.

In most cases, elevated liver enzymes are temporary and do not indicate a chronic, serious liver problem. The cause of elevated liver enzymes should be further investigated by a GP, as there can be many different causes.

Elevated liver enzymes can occur for many different reasons, and do not always indicate a chronic, serious liver problem. Common causes of elevated liver enzymes include:

• Use of over the counter pain medications
• Other prescription medications
• Hepatitis
• Alcohol or drug use disorder
• Cirrhosis
• Metabolic syndrome
• Celiac disease
• Liver cancer
• Mononucleosis
• Epstein-Barr Virus

• Heavy alcohol consumption
• Type II diabetes
• Obesity
• Family history of liver disease
• Risk factors for hepatitis (exposure to other people’s blood/bodily fluids, unprotected sex)

Liver disease usually develops in people between the ages of 40 and 50 years old, but can develop in younger people as well. The body will be able to compensate for the liver’s limited function in the early stages of the disease, but as the disease progresses symptoms will worsen and become more noticeable.

There are many ways to keep your liver healthy, but it starts with taking the following steps:

• Eat a balanced diet
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Use alcohol responsibly
• Exercise regularly
• Avoid the use of drugs as much as possible

The liver is very resilient and able to repair itself. However, each time the liver filters alcohol some of the liver cells die. Once drinking stops, healing begins as early as a few days later. Nevertheless, prolonged alcohol use can reduce the liver's ability to regenerate, resulting in serious or permanent damage. Disease or long-term exposure to toxins can cause permanent liver damage or liver failure. 

Yes, you can take this liver function test from the comfort of your home. You will receive an easy-to-use at-home collection kit that includes everything you need for collecting a sample and sending it to one of our ISO 15189 certified laboratories.

This test is less suitable for acute symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, sudden jaundice, or persistent vomiting. In these situations, immediate contact with your general practitioner is necessary.

It may be useful to measure liver function again after a few weeks or months, for example after making lifestyle changes, stopping alcohol consumption or changing medication.

The blood test is comparable in quality and accuracy to a test that you would receive in a clinic or hospital.

After analysis, the blood sample is destroyed in accordance with medical guidelines. The laboratory only processes a unique test code and no personal data.

In exceptional cases, the sample may be insufficient for analysis. In that case, Homed-IQ will contact you and you will receive instructions for a new sample collection.