Liver and kidney test at Spire Harpenden Hospital

Ensuring your liver and kidneys are in good health is vital, considering that they:

• help you to break down food and convert it into energy
• help your body to get rid of waste products and excess fluid
• control glucose concentration in the blood
• fight infections
• remove drugs from the body
• balance the body's fluids
• release hormones that regulate blood pressure
• produce an active form of vitamin D that promotes strong, healthy bones. (sources: British Liver Trust, National Kidney Foundation)

These tests are carried out on blood or urine samples.

Our patients are at the heart of what we do and we want you to be in control of your care.

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You will have a formal consultation with a healthcare professional. During this time you will be able to explain your medical history, symptoms and raise any concerns that you might have.

We will also discuss with you whether any further diagnostic tests, such as scans or blood tests, are needed. Any additional costs will be discussed before further tests are carried out.

We've tried to make your experience with us as easy and relaxed as possible.

For more information on visiting hours, our food, what to pack if you're staying with us, parking and all those other important practicalities, please visit our patient information pages.

Our dedicated team will also give you tailored advice to follow in the run up to your visit.

For blood testing, a syringe with a fine needle is used to remove a small amount of blood from a vein in your arm. You will only feel a tiny pinprick as this is done.

It will then be sent to one of our laboratories to be tested. Urine samples are dealt with in the same way.

For liver tests, these will give an indication of how much your liver is inflamed and possibly either damaged or less able to work properly.

The test measures:

• ALT (Alanine aminotransferase) and AST (Aspartarte aminotransferase) levels, which indicate how inflamed the liver is.
• ALP (Alkaline phosphatase), which is an enzyme that can suggest liver disease.
• GGT (Gamma glutamyl transferase) which is a potential indicator of how much alcohol you consume.
• Bilirubin, which can cause jaundice; a yellowing of the eyes and skin in liver disease.
• Albumin, a protein that helps keep fluid pressures in the body stable and carries many substances in the body.
• Clotting studies, which may suggest liver disease. (source: British Liver Trust)

For your kidneys, these tests measure:

• The level of urea – the waste product formed from the breakdown of proteins that is usually passed out in the urine, which can show your kidneys might not be working properly or that you are dehydrated.
• Creatinine – a waste product made by the muscles that is passed into the bloodstream and usually passed out in urine, which also can suggest that your kidneys may not be working properly.
• Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) – which provides a guide to kidney function.
• Certain dissolved salts – such as sodium, potassium, chloride and bicarbonate for which abnormal levels can suggest a kidney problem. (source: Patient, EMIS)

These tests are carried out by us after you have supplied blood or urine samples, so you will be able to go home straight after the appointment.

Giving a blood sample is almost painless and you will only feel a brief, small pinprick from the needle in your arm.

You will be able to return to your job immediately after the test.

Your doctor will discuss the results and whether or not you may need some future treatment. If anything out of the ordinary is found during your tests we offer integrated medical care and can create a treatment plan to help put you back on the road to good health.

If you have any questions or concerns, we're here to help.

We are committed to delivering excellent individual care and customer service across our network of hospitals, clinics and specialist care centres around the UK. Our dedicated and highly trained team aim to achieve consistently excellent results. For us it's more than just treating patients, it's about looking after people.

Important to note

The treatment described on this page may be adapted to meet your individual needs, so it's important to follow your healthcare professional's advice and raise any questions that you may have with them.