What our liver does
The liver is the powerhouse of our body and performs many vital functions. It filters harmful substances from the blood, stores nutrients, produces vital proteins and supports fat digestion. Without a healthy liver, our metabolism does not function.
Despite its important role, the liver often remains in the background. Liver diseases usually develop silently and without noticeable symptoms. That's why it's crucial to keep an eye on your liver health and regularly check the relevant liver values.
Which liver values are important and how can they be tested? On this page you will find out which blood values provide information about your liver function and how you can easily determine them from home. For further information we recommend the pages of the Stiftung Gesundheitswissen on the subject of liver health . Apotheken Umschau also writes about the subject of healthy livers .
The most important liver values and their reference ranges
alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
Reference range: 10-40 U/L
ALT is an enzyme that is mainly found in liver cells and is also known as GPT (glutamate pyruvate transaminase). Elevated ALT levels can be an indication of liver damage, for example due to inflammation or fatty liver disease.
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
Reference range: 10-40 U/L
Another important marker is AST (aspartate aminotransferase), also known as GOT (glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase). AST is found in various tissues, including heart muscle, liver and skeletal muscle. Elevated AST levels can indicate liver damage, but also heart disease or muscle injury.
However, AST is difficult to measure reliably in home tests due to its sensitivity to preanalytical factors such as sample stability. Home tests therefore usually rely on more stable markers such as ALT (GPT), which are more reliable indicators of liver damage.
Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
Reference range: 44-147 U/L
ALP (alkaline phosphatase), or AP, is an enzyme found in the liver, bones and other tissues. Elevated levels can indicate liver disease, bone disease or bile stasis.
bilirubin
Reference range: 0.1-1.2 mg/dL
Bilirubin is produced when red blood cells are broken down. Elevated levels can indicate jaundice, liver disease or blockages in the bile ducts.
Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT)
Reference range: 10-71 U/L
GGT is an enzyme found in the liver and bile ducts. Elevated levels can indicate liver or bile duct disease.
albumin
Reference range: 35–52 g/l
Albumin is a protein produced in the liver that performs important functions such as transporting nutrients and maintaining osmotic pressure. Low albumin levels may indicate liver disease, malnutrition, or kidney disease.
Due to pre-analytical requirements and sample stability, albumin is not well suited for home testing.
Next Steps for Your Liver Health
Your liver works for you every day – give it the attention it deserves. Regular blood tests allow you to check important liver values and react to changes early.
Here's how to proceed:
- Find out about the relevant liver values , such as ALT, AST, ALP and bilirubin.
- Have your values tested regularly to detect risks such as liver disease or gallbladder disorders at an early stage.
- Adjust your lifestyle with a healthy diet, sufficient exercise and avoiding liver-damaging substances such as alcohol.
Remember: prevention is the key to a healthy liver. Start now and take control of your health - your liver will thank you.
Suitable tests for the liver
Liver Check
The liver check is crucial for your well-being as it provides a comprehensive check of liver health and function. This check can detect dysfunction and possible damage at an early stage, which contributes to optimal liver and gallbladder function.
Metabolism Check
The metabolism check analyses important values such as cholesterol, triglycerides and HbA1c to provide insights into your blood lipid levels and sugar metabolism. Find out how well your body is working and how you can specifically support your health. Our partner Yazen uses this test for its patients to improve the treatment of obesity.
Other important organs
In addition to the liver, the thyroid gland also plays a central role in the body. It regulates metabolism , controls hormone production and thus influences many important processes such as energy balance and heart function.
Thyroid disorders, such as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism , can throw the entire organism out of balance and also affect liver function. It is therefore important to keep an eye on the health of the thyroid as well as the liver.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about liver health
What further links can you recommend at Probatix?
What further links can you recommend at Probatix?
- The German Liver Foundation reports on all areas of liver health
- The pro liver initiative also collects a lot of information on liver values and health
- The website of Deutsche Leberhilfe eV is particularly helpful from a patient perspective
What are liver values?
What are liver values?
Liver values are blood values that indicate the function of the liver. Important liver values are ALT, AST, GGT and bilirubin, which provide information about possible liver diseases or stress.
When should I have my liver values checked?
When should I have my liver values checked?
Checking your liver values is useful if you have symptoms such as tiredness, yellowing of the skin (jaundice), abdominal pain or after consuming alcohol or medications that can put a strain on the liver.
What do elevated liver values mean?
What do elevated liver values mean?
Elevated liver values can indicate damage or overload of the liver. Causes can include liver disease, alcohol abuse, viral infections or the use of certain medications.
How can I improve my liver values?
How can I improve my liver values?
A healthy diet, avoiding alcohol, regular exercise and protection against liver diseases such as hepatitis can help promote liver health and improve liver values.
What role do reference ranges play in liver values?
What role do reference ranges play in liver values?
Reference ranges indicate the range in which liver values are considered normal. Deviations from these values can indicate problems, but should always be evaluated in consultation with a doctor.
How often should liver values be checked?
How often should liver values be checked?
The frequency of check-ups depends on your individual health condition. If you have risk factors such as alcohol abuse or known liver disease, you should have regular check-ups.
