I am waiting for results from a liver test,I dont understand much about the liver.What happens if the liver ?!
Question: I am waiting for results from a liver test,I dont understand much about the liver.What happens if the liver .?
is not working the way it should be.? What can they do.?
Ive been taking medication for years,and they say that the medication may have caused damage,but there are medication that I need so what will happen,if my liver is not doing what it should be. I cant live without my medication. Many thanks for any information.Health Question & Answer
Ive been taking medication for years,and they say that the medication may have caused damage,but there are medication that I need so what will happen,if my liver is not doing what it should be. I cant live without my medication. Many thanks for any information.Health Question & Answer
Answers:
Usually, doctors start out with blood testings:
these tests show if there may be damage to
the liver cells (this test is the liver enzymes),
another test shows how the cells are functioning
in the liver (this test is the liver function tests),
and then their is a test to see if you have a
viral infection such as Hep A,B,C, etc.
The doctor also does a physical examination
of placing his hand on the right upper
quadrant of the abdomen, just under the
rib. This is done to see if their is an
enlargement of the liver. The liver enlarges
in size if their is inflammation developing
in the cells. If he suspects this, he may
then order an ultrasound to see the liver
on film. He will be able to see the enlargement,
see any growths in the liver, see how the
blood is flowing through the liver, and the
texture of the liver itself.
There are a number of things that can
cause liver problems and Medication is just
one of them. You should tell him all the
medications you are on: this includes
over the counter meds, herbs, herbal
teas, vitamins, minerals, and medications
prescribed by other doctors. The reason
for this is because most all medications
go through the liver to be broken down
before going to the rest of the body.
If the medication is the cause...the doctor
may either adjust the amount you are taking
or change your medication to another kind that
will do the job yours is doing now.
The doctor may start you on treatment if
he suspects the liver is enlarged.
The liver does many functions to keep the
body healthy. As long as the doctor treats
you and the inflammation can be reduced...
the cells of the liver can heal.
It is very hard to wait for the results of your
testing. The doctor may take more than
one blood testing to be sure of the results
before treating you. If it does show a
problem with the liver, it would be best
to be referred to a gastroenterologist
(they deal with the whole digestive system)
or hepatologist (they are liver specialists) to handle your care.
Health Question & Answer
these tests show if there may be damage to
the liver cells (this test is the liver enzymes),
another test shows how the cells are functioning
in the liver (this test is the liver function tests),
and then their is a test to see if you have a
viral infection such as Hep A,B,C, etc.
The doctor also does a physical examination
of placing his hand on the right upper
quadrant of the abdomen, just under the
rib. This is done to see if their is an
enlargement of the liver. The liver enlarges
in size if their is inflammation developing
in the cells. If he suspects this, he may
then order an ultrasound to see the liver
on film. He will be able to see the enlargement,
see any growths in the liver, see how the
blood is flowing through the liver, and the
texture of the liver itself.
There are a number of things that can
cause liver problems and Medication is just
one of them. You should tell him all the
medications you are on: this includes
over the counter meds, herbs, herbal
teas, vitamins, minerals, and medications
prescribed by other doctors. The reason
for this is because most all medications
go through the liver to be broken down
before going to the rest of the body.
If the medication is the cause...the doctor
may either adjust the amount you are taking
or change your medication to another kind that
will do the job yours is doing now.
The doctor may start you on treatment if
he suspects the liver is enlarged.
The liver does many functions to keep the
body healthy. As long as the doctor treats
you and the inflammation can be reduced...
the cells of the liver can heal.
It is very hard to wait for the results of your
testing. The doctor may take more than
one blood testing to be sure of the results
before treating you. If it does show a
problem with the liver, it would be best
to be referred to a gastroenterologist
(they deal with the whole digestive system)
or hepatologist (they are liver specialists) to handle your care.
Health Question & Answer
The liver is a huge "filter" in your system. It filters out old red blood cells, alcohol, and other chemicals.
It also produces some chemicals of its own, like urea, chemicals that digest fat, and it also produces cholesterol.
It also acts as a storage place for certain vitamins, and some excess blood sugar.
In the case of filtering, some of those "other chemicals" that it filters are apparently from the other medicines you take. This is, unfortunately, unavoidable, but the doctor knows this -- that is why he is doing the tests.
Since the other medicines are very important to you, you need to adjust your lifestyle to avoid undue stress on the liver. The liver filters alcohol, so you need to stop drinking ANY alcohol, not even the occasional social drink. Since the liver helps digest fats, eating fatty foods causes the liver to "work overtime", so you need to maintain a very low-fat diet -- especially cut back on fried foods.
The liver is critical to your life. It is a bad old pun: "Man cannot live without a liver"
Consult with your doctor, and follow his orders strictlyHealth Question & Answer
It also produces some chemicals of its own, like urea, chemicals that digest fat, and it also produces cholesterol.
It also acts as a storage place for certain vitamins, and some excess blood sugar.
In the case of filtering, some of those "other chemicals" that it filters are apparently from the other medicines you take. This is, unfortunately, unavoidable, but the doctor knows this -- that is why he is doing the tests.
Since the other medicines are very important to you, you need to adjust your lifestyle to avoid undue stress on the liver. The liver filters alcohol, so you need to stop drinking ANY alcohol, not even the occasional social drink. Since the liver helps digest fats, eating fatty foods causes the liver to "work overtime", so you need to maintain a very low-fat diet -- especially cut back on fried foods.
The liver is critical to your life. It is a bad old pun: "Man cannot live without a liver"
Consult with your doctor, and follow his orders strictlyHealth Question & Answer
you need to talk to your doc and see if you're a candidate for a liver transplant. some meds do cause liver failer but it's rare. weigh the risks and benefits of all your meds with your doc and see if there is a similar med without the damaging effects. Health Question & Answer
a liver function test is very basic. even the most harmful meds usually have very little impact on the liver. there is a very, very strong chance you are ok. Health Question & Answer