Bilirubin is a substance that is found in bile, a fluid that is produced inside the liver, and is the byproduct of red blood cells that are broken down by the body. Bilirubin is yellow in color. When a person's bilirubin levels become higher than...
Many women choose oral contraception because it effectively prevents unplanned conceptions and otherwise fits well with their lives. Some women do experience side effects, including elevated liver enzymes. If you take oral contraceptives or are...
Almost 27,000 Americans die from liver diseases each year, reports New York Presbyterian Hospital. Diseases affecting the liver range from hepatitis to cirrhosis. One key indicator of liver disease is an elevated level of alanine aminotransferase,...
Elevated levels of bilirubin may indicate that a person is having a problem with their blood count or with their liver function. In addition, infants may also have high bilirubin levels for a few days following birth. The symptoms of elevated...
Hypokalemia is the medical term for low levels of potassium in the blood. Because potassium is essential for proper nerve and muscle function, very low levels of potassium can cause serious problems. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of low...
Liver function test refers to a group of tests that screen the blood for enzymes and proteins produced in the liver. By determining the level of these substances, this group of tests can determine the presence of liver disease or damage. An...
The liver serves many metabolic functions, including the production of enzymes, which are chemicals that help reactions occur in the body. Inflammation or other conditions that affect the liver can cause these enzymes to leak out into the...
The word "malnutrition" tends to elicit mental images of starving children in famine-stricken countries. It is not a disease typically associated with developing nations. Unfortunately, malnutrition -- which simply means "bad nourishment" -- is...
When your liver is diseased or injured, your body releases tell-tale enzymes that your doctor can measure through tests. Many conditions unrelated to the liver can cause abnormal results, however. For example, some gallbladder treatments that...
The liver, weighing about three pounds in a human, is a vital organ necessary for survival. It is located in humans on the right side of the upper abdomen and consists of four unequally sized lobes. The many functions of the liver are carried out...
Serum proteins, the most plentiful compounds in blood serum, act differently from proteins in tissue and are diagnostically beneficial when tested. Serum proteins function as enzymes, hormones and antibodies, and impede leakage of fluid from blood...
While jaundice can affect individuals of all ages, it most often influences newborn infants. It refers to the yellow color of the skin and the sclera, whites of the eyes, which is caused by excessive bilirubin in the body. Bilirubin is a component...
