What is the purpose of this test?
Order this Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Risk Assessment, which is a comprehensive blood test panel that evaluates liver function to assess an individual's risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a build-up of fat in the liver that is not caused by heavy drinking. It is usually related to being overweight and can cause no symptoms or problems for some people. However, a more severe form of the disease called non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) can cause cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer.
This panel includes the following:
Complete Blood Count with Differential and Platelets
- White Blood Cells (WBC) - The body's primary defense against disease and helps to fight infection.
- Red Blood Cells (RBC) - Responsible for carrying oxygen and carbon dioxide away from all cells. Iron deficiency will lower the RBC count.
- Hemoglobin - A chemical compound inside red cells that transports oxygen through the bloodstream to all body cells. Hemoglobin gives the red color to blood.
- Hematocrit - Measures the amount of space red blood cells take up in the blood. It is reported as a percentage.
- Neutrophils: Neutrophils are the most common type of white blood cells and are created by the bone marrow to combat a wide range of inflammatory and infectious diseases.
- Lymphocytes: B-cells and T-cells are lymphocytes that fight bacteria and other pathogens in the blood. They are primarily found in the lymph system.
- Monocytes: Working alongside neutrophils, monocytes play a vital role in fighting infections and other diseases and clearing away dead or damaged cells.
- Eosinophils: White blood cells called eosinophils become activated in response to allergies and certain infections.
- Basophils: Basophils play a role in detecting infections early on, as well as aiding in wound healing and reacting to allergic responses.
- Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH): The average hemoglobin concentration within a red blood cell.
- Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC): The average hemoglobin concentration percentage within a red blood cell.
- Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV): The average size of red blood cells.
- Platelets: Blood cell particles associated with the forming of blood clots.
- Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW): Measures the amount of red blood cell variation in volume and size.
- Absolute Neutrophils: The absolute neutrophil count measures the number of neutrophils in your blood. Normal range is 2,500-7,000 per microliter. Counts outside this range indicate a possible condition.
- Absolute Lymphocytes: To calculate your absolute lymphocyte count, multiply your white blood cell count by the percentage of lymphocytes. This gives you the number of lymphocytes as an absolute number.
- Absolute Monocytes: The absolute monocyte count indicates the number of monocytes in the blood, helping to identify if the count is normal, high, or low.
- Absolute Eosinophils: Absolute eosinophil count measures the number of eosinophils in blood by multiplying the percentage of eosinophils in a complete blood count with the total number of white blood cells in the same count.
- Absolute Basophils: Absolute basophil count is calculated by multiplying the percentage of basophils by the total number of white blood cells in a blood sample.
Glucose
Blood glucose levels are measured to determine the amount of sugar in the blood. Glucose is the body's main energy source, and insulin helps transport glucose from the bloodstream to the cells. High blood glucose levels may indicate diabetes or other medical conditions. In contrast, low blood glucose levels are common among people with diabetes and can lead to serious health problems if left untreated.
Hemoglobin A1c
The hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C) test shows the average blood sugar level over the past 2-3 months. Glucose comes from food and is used by cells for energy. Insulin helps glucose enter cells, but in diabetes, there isn't enough insulin, or cells don't use it well. Glucose in blood sticks to hemoglobin in red blood cells, and high A1C levels indicate high blood glucose from diabetes. Diabetes can cause serious health problems, but treatment and lifestyle changes can help control blood glucose levels.
Hepatic Function
- Albumin - a protein made in the liver
- Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) | Alanine Transaminase (ALT) (SGPT) | Aspartate Transaminase (AST) - are the different enzymes made by the liver.
- Bilirubin, Total | Bilirubin, Direct - a waste product made by the liver.
- Protein, Total - this test measures the total amount of protein in the blood.
Hepatitis B Surface Antigen
The HBV virus has proteins on its surface known as Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). These proteins can be found in high levels during both acute and chronic hepatitis B infections. The HBsAg test is used to screen, detect, and diagnose acute and chronic HBV infections.
Hepatitis C Antibody with Reflex
Hepatitis C testing is conducted to detect antibodies to the hepatitis C virus in the blood. These antibodies can be detected within 4 to 10 weeks after infection. Positive results may be followed by reflex testing to measure the amount of genetic material of the virus, called hepatitis C Viral RNA, Quantitative, Real-Time PCR.
Lipid Panel
- Cholesterol, Total - A measurement used to assess heart health. Cholesterol is required by your body to build healthy cells, but high cholesterol levels can increase your risk of heart disease.
- Triglycerides - Surplus fats transported in the bloodstream and provide energy to the body.
- HDL Cholesterol - High-density lipoproteins, or "good" cholesterol, take cholesterol away from the cells and transport it back to the liver for removal or processing.
- LDL Cholesterol - Low-density lipoproteins (calculation), or "bad" cholesterol, contain the highest percentage of cholesterol and are responsible for depositing cholesterol on the artery walls.
- VLDL Cholesterol - contains the highest amount of triglycerides. VLDL is a type of "bad cholesterol" because it helps cholesterol build up on the walls of arteries.
What causes NAFLD?
NAFLD is the result of abnormal deposits of fat in the liver. Several factors may increase an individual's risk, including any of the following:
- Being overweight or obese
- Insulin resistance
- Type 2 diabetes
- High cholesterol
- High triglycerides
- High blood pressure
- Sudden weight loss and poor diet
- Gastric bypass surgery
- Irritable bowel disease (IBS)
- Certain medications (calcium channel blockers and some cancer drugs)
NAFLD can also develop in individuals with no identified risk factors.
When should I order a Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Risk Assessment?
Individuals may order this panel if they have experienced symptoms related to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Common signs or symptoms of this condition include:
- Fatigue
- Upper right abdominal pain
- Weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Jaundice
- Itching
- Fluid build-up and swelling in the legs and abdomen
- Confusion
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
