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...
High Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) Test: Causes, Liver, Bile Duct, Bone, and Meaning
High alkaline phosphatase, often shortened to high ALP, means the ALP enzyme level in your blood is above the reference range for the lab...
High Amylase Blood Test: Causes, Pancreatitis, Salivary Gland Disease, and Meaning
A high amylase blood test means there is more amylase enzyme in the bloodstream than expected. Amylase helps break down carbohydrates, and most blood...
High Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) Test: Causes, Liver Damage, Muscle Injury, and Meaning
A high aspartate aminotransferase (AST) result means this enzyme is leaking into the blood from injured or stressed cells. AST is often discussed as...
High Ferritin and Liver Enzymes: Interpreting Inflammation, Fatty Liver, and Iron Overload
High ferritin with abnormal liver enzymes is a common blood test pattern, and it does not always mean the body is overloaded with iron....