Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) Normal Range: Reference Values and Meaning
Aspartate aminotransferase, usually called AST, is an enzyme measured in blood tests to look for signs of liver cell irritation or injury. It is...
AST/ALT Ratio and GGT: Interpreting Alcohol-Related Liver Patterns
AST, ALT, and GGT are common liver-related blood tests, but their pattern often says more than any single number. A higher AST than ALT,...
AST/ALT Ratio Test: High Ratio, Liver Disease Patterns, Alcohol-Related Liver Injury, and Meaning
The AST/ALT ratio compares two liver enzymes, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), to see which one is higher and by how much....
Bilirubin and Liver Enzymes: Interpreting Jaundice Blood Tests
Jaundice is the yellow color that can appear in the eyes or skin when bilirubin builds up in the blood. A bilirubin result by...
Carbohydrate-Deficient Transferrin (CDT) Test: Alcohol Use Marker, Liver Risk, Normal Range, and Results
Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin, usually called CDT, is a blood test that can help identify sustained heavy alcohol use over the past several weeks. It is...
Cholinesterase Blood Test: Low Cholinesterase, Liver Function, Pesticide Exposure, and Results
A cholinesterase blood test measures enzyme activity related to nerve signaling, liver protein production, or sensitivity to certain anesthesia medicines. The name can be...
Cytokeratin-18 (CK-18) Blood Test: Fatty Liver, NASH, Liver Cell Death, and Results
Cytokeratin-18, often shortened to CK-18 or K18, is a protein found inside many epithelial cells, including liver cells. When liver cells are injured or...
Direct Bilirubin Blood Test: High Direct Bilirubin, Normal Range, Liver and Bile Duct Causes
A direct bilirubin blood test measures the water-soluble bilirubin fraction that has already been processed by the liver. It is usually ordered as part...
Direct vs Indirect Bilirubin: What the Pattern Can Mean
Bilirubin is a yellow-orange waste product made when the body breaks down old red blood cells. Your liver normally takes bilirubin from the blood,...
Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELF) Test: High ELF Score, Normal Range, Liver Fibrosis Risk, and Results
The Enhanced Liver Fibrosis test, usually called the ELF test, is a blood test that helps estimate the risk of liver fibrosis, especially in...
FIB-4 and APRI: Comparing Liver Fibrosis Scores
FIB-4 and APRI are simple liver fibrosis scores made from routine blood test results. They do not diagnose cirrhosis by themselves, but they help...
Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) Index Test: Liver Fibrosis Score, Normal Range, Calculator, and Meaning
The Fibrosis-4 Index, usually called FIB-4, is a simple liver fibrosis score calculated from age, AST, ALT, and platelet count. It does not measure...
FibroTest Blood Test: Liver Fibrosis Score, FibroSure, Normal Range, and Results
FibroTest is a noninvasive blood test that estimates liver fibrosis, which means scarring inside the liver. In the United States, the same test is...
Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) Test: High GGT, Normal Range, Liver Disease, Alcohol Use, and Causes
Gamma-glutamyl transferase, usually shortened to GGT, is a liver and bile duct enzyme measured with a simple blood test. Doctors often order it when...
GGT and ALT: Interpreting Fatty Liver, Alcohol, and Liver Stress
GGT and ALT are liver-related enzymes that often rise for different reasons. ALT is more closely tied to liver cell irritation or injury, while...
Globulin Blood Test Normal Range: Reference Values and Meaning
Globulin is not one single protein. It is a group of blood proteins involved in immune defense, inflammation control, blood clotting, nutrient transport, and...
Hepatic Function Panel Test: Liver Enzymes, Bilirubin, Proteins, Normal Ranges, and Results
A hepatic function panel is a blood test that checks several liver-related markers at the same time. It usually includes liver enzymes, bilirubin, albumin,...
High Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) Test: Causes, Liver Damage, Fatty Liver, and Meaning
Alanine aminotransferase, usually called ALT, is a liver enzyme measured on routine blood work. A high ALT result means liver cells are irritated, inflamed,...
High Albumin Blood Test: Causes, Dehydration, and Meaning
A high albumin blood test usually means the blood sample was more concentrated than usual, most often from dehydration or fluid loss. Albumin is...
High Albumin/Globulin (A/G) Ratio Test: Causes, Low Globulin, and Meaning
A high albumin/globulin ratio, often written as a high A/G ratio, means the amount of albumin in the blood is high compared with the...