Can Herbal Remedies or "Liver Flushes" Damage Your Liver?

Liver Panel Test

A liver panel, also known as liver (hepatic) function tests or LFT, It is used to check for liver damage or disease. It includes:

• ALT – an enzyme mainly found in the liver; the best test for detecting hepatitis

• AST – an enzyme found in the liver and a few other places, particularly the heart and other muscles in the body; indicates liver damage

• Bilirubin – (especially significant if a person has jaundice); indicates if liver is filtering and processing properly

• Albumin-measures the main protein made by the liver and tells how well the liver is making these proteins

• Total protein- measures protein including antibodies made to help fight infection; can be an indicator of cirrhosis or other medical disorders.

The liver panel test may also be ordered when a person has been or may have been exposed to a hepatitis virus; has a family history of liver disease; has excessive alcohol intake; or is taking a drug that can cause liver damage. The liver is unique as the only internal human organ capable of natural regeneration of lost tissue. As little as 25% of a remaining liver can regenerate into a whole liver again. The liver is the largest organ in the body, weighing about three to four pounds, and making up about 2-3% of the total body weight. It is the “mother” of the body and does what most mothers do—a vast complex multi-systematic performance of coordination—including that of a ‘watchdog’, grocer, housekeeper, body-guard, bodybuilder, energy plant supervisor, and sanitation engineer - to name but a few.

The following list names just a few of the liver functions. The liver performs several roles in carbohydrate, protein, and lipid (fats} metabolism. It also aids in the breakdown of insulin and other hormones, toxic substances and most medicinal products. The liver aids in blood clotting. It stores nutrients, including glucose (in the form of glycogen), vitamin B12, iron, and copper. The liver also has an important role in vitamin storage. High concentrations of riboflavin or vitamin B1 are found in the liver. 95% of the body’s vitamin A stores are concentrated in the liver. The liver also contains small amounts of vitamin C, most of the body’s vitamin D stores, and vitamins E and K.

A liver test panel may be ordered when symptoms suspicious of a liver condition are noticed. These include: jaundice, dark urine, or light-colored bowel movements; nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea; loss of appetite; vomiting of blood; bloody or black bowel movements; swelling or pain in the belly; unusual weight change; or fatigue or loss of stamina. One or more of these tests may also be ordered when a person has been or may have been exposed to, or is taking a drug that can cause liver damage.

Liver flushes and herbal liver cleansers are available without a prescription and are gaining in popularity. Many people are concerned that their livers may be damaged or stressed, and they seek to detoxify their liver in order to be healthier, rid their body of toxins, and have higher energy levels. However, many herbal remedies can actually damage the liver and many others may provide little or no benefit. Taking a liver panel test before taking the herbal remedy can help you understand if your liver is healthy, and set a baseline for comparison afterwards. After taking the herbal remedy, a second, follow-up liver panel can be done to help understand if the remedy has hurt or helped your liver.


To purchase a Liver Function test simply order online at LabSafe at http://www.labsafe.com/lab-tests/test/412/ or visit our website at www.LabSafe.com

For more information, or to speak with a member of our professional Medical Staff, call LabSafe toll free at 1-888-333-LABS.