All You Need to Know about Liver Function Tests

Synthetic function tests

It is also possible to test the liver’s synthetic function by measuring blood levels of albumin and prothrombin time. Albumin is one of the most critical proteins synthesized by the liver. There are around 10 grams of new albumin every day as a result of normal liver function. When the liver starts to fail, this also reduces serum levels of albumin. Protein loss and malnutrition also cause low albumin levels in the blood.

On the other hand, the prothrombin time is a time measure of how fast prothrombin converts into thrombin during the coagulation cascade. For this step, we should have enough coagulation factor II, V, VII, and X. They are all created in the liver and a longer coagulation time due to an extended prothrombin time suggest liver injury. This finding is also common in patients who consume warfarin, in cases of vitamin K deficiency, and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy.