Liver test

GetTested's Liver Test: Easy At-Home Liver Health Monitoring

GetTested's Liver test is a straightforward at-home test that doesn't require sending it to a lab for analysis; you receive immediate results instead. You perform the test using urine, and then visually compare the result with a colour chart included in the package. By testing for the presence of bilirubin and urobilinogen in the urine, and thereby reflecting their concentrations in the blood, you can effectively monitor your liver's health.

About the Liver

To understand the importance of a liver test, it is crucial to learn more about the liver itself. The liver is the largest glandular organ in the body. Since the liver does not have any sensory nerves connected to it, we do not feel when the liver is out of balance. However, there are several symptoms that may indicate liver problems. Jaundice stands out as the most obvious or common sign. It develops when a large amount of bilirubin accumulates and dissolves in the skin's fat layer. The body forms bilirubin through the breakdown of red blood cells. Blood then transports it to the liver, and from there, it moves to the intestines via the duct connecting the liver and intestines. The gallbladder can also store bilirubin. In the intestines, intestinal bacteria convert bilirubin into a compound called urobilinogen. The bloodstream then reabsorbs a small percentage of this compound. Increased levels of urobilinogen and/or bilirubin in the blood affect the appearance of urine. 

Why take a Liver Test

The liver is one of the most important organs in the body. It is the liver’s job to filter blood by removing toxins and breaking down the nutrients and chemicals. Otherwise, toxins spread to other organs where they can cause damage. If your liver is not functioning well, this can lead to many symptoms and in severe cases can be deadly, which is why it is important to take a liver function test to check for liver health. 

Common Symptoms of an Overloaded Liver

• Yellow tone on the skin and the whites of the eyes (jaundice)
• Pain in the upper right part of the abdomen or back pain
• Swollen abdomen
• Weakness and loss of muscle mass
• Pale colour of faeces and/or dark colour of urine

How the perform the Liver Test

1. Start with collecting urine in a glass or cup.
2. Take one test strip out of the package and hold it by the completely white end (the part without coloured squares).
3. Dip the coloured part of the test strip into the urine for a maximum of one second.
4. Remove the test strip and tap lightly against the edge of the glass to remove excess urine.
5. Hold the test strip horizontally for about 30-60 seconds to allow the reaction to occur.
6. Read your liver function test results by comparing the reaction's colours on the strip with the colour chart in the package. 

Storage

Store the test strip at room temperature, 15-30°C. Do not store liver test strips in the refrigerator or freezer. Do not expose test strips to moisture, heat, or light before use. Use the test strip immediately after opening the foil pouch.

Limitations of the Liver Test

• Substances that cause abnormal urine colour, such as certain medications, can affect colour development on the strip. Colour development in the reaction area may be masked, or a colour reaction may occur in the area that can be visually interpreted as a false positive. Therefore, in doubt, the test should be repeated after finishing the medication (after consulting your doctor).
• Bilirubin: Since bilirubin in the samples is sensitive to light, exposure to light in urine samples over time may result in a false-negative result. Ascorbic acid concentration at 25 - 50 mg/dL may also cause false-negative results. Even trace amounts of bilirubin are sufficient to require further investigation. False results may be due to diagnostic or therapeutic dyes in the test urine.
• Urobilinogen: The strip cannot show a complete absence of urobilinogen in the tested sample. Normal urine tests usually give a light brown or light pink colour. A higher concentration of formalin may result in a false-negative result.