Aids/HIV information, Symptoms, treatment

 ·         Liver integrity tests (formerly known as “liver function tests”): Your liver is part of your digestive system, which includes your esophagus (the tube that connects your mouth and stomach), your stomach, and your small and large intestines (guts). Blood or urine (pee) tests that measure how well your liver is working are called liver integrity tests. These tests can show if there is any damage to, or stress on, your liver. Since your liver releases many different chemicals into your bloodstream, a separate blood test is done for each.

If you look at your blood test request form you will probably see that your doctor regularly orders tests of these liver enzymes:

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  • aspartate aminotransferase (AST, also known as SGOT)
  • alanine aminotransferase (ALT, also known as SGPT)
  • lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)
  • gamma-glutomyltransferase (GGT)

If the levels of these four enzymes are higher than your normal range, there may be damage to the cells of your liver. This may be caused by excessive use of alcohol, by prescription or street drugs, or by infections like hepatitis B.

Your blood test form may also include a test of a fifth liver enzyme, alkaline phosphatase (Alk Phos). If the level of this enzyme is above your normal range then there might be damage to the parts of your liver called bile ducts. In some people, higher-than-normal levels of alkaline phosphatase may be seen before symptoms of MAC infection develop.

You may have liver integrity tests done if you’re having a hard time digesting food, if your skin is becoming yellow (this is called jaundice), or if your doctor thinks you may have one of the hepatitis viruses, which infect and can damage your liver. Several drugs you may be taking can also damage your liver, so your doctor may do these tests regularly.

 ·         Renal (kidney) function tests: Your kidneys (along with your bladder) are part of the system that removes waste from your body. They also help recycle nutrients. Any test that measures how well your kidneys are working is called a renal function test. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine tests are done using a blood sample. Other renal function tests measure how much fluid your kidneys release as waste, by collecting and measuring how much you urinate (pee) in 24 hours. Urine can be analyzed to measure which chemicals or salts your kidneys are releasing. Too much or too little of these chemicals can be a sign of kidney damage. Several drugs can damage your kidneys, so your doctor may do these tests regularly.

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