Your kidneys and liver work every day to keep you healthy. You can protect them through prevention screenings and healthy choices. Promptly see your healthcare provider if you are experiencing any of the warning signs below.
Key Risk Factors
· High Blood Pressure
· Diabetes
· Excess alcohol use
· Obesity
· Smoking
· Certain medications
· Certain environmental toxins
· Family history of kidney or liver disease.
Liver Functioning and Testing
The liver performs over 500 metabolic and detoxifying functions for the body. Its health is critical to survival. This John Hopkins article does a deep dive into how the liver works. There are several tests conducted on a blood sample. These tests measure certain proteins and enzyme levels to get a big-picture view of liver function. This Mayo Clinic article provides information on each liver test, how to prepare for them, and what to expect.
Liver Disease Warning Signs
· Yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice)
· Dark urine or pale stools
· Abdominal pain or swelling
· Nausea or loss of appetite
· Easy bruising or bleeding
· Chronic fatigue
Healthy
Liver
Function Levels
ALT. 7 to 55 units per liter (U/L).
AST. 8 to 48 U/L.
ALP. 40 to 129 U/L.
Albumin. 3.5 to 5.0 grams per deciliter (g/dL).
Total protein. 6.3 to 7.9 g/dL.
Bilirubin. 0.1 to 1.2 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).
GGT. 8 to 61 U/L.
LD. 122 to 222 U/L.
PT. 9.4 to 12.5 seconds.
*data from Mayo Clinic
Kidney Functioning and Testing
The kidney’s primary function is to filter waste and extra water, becoming urine. We’ve learned in this Cleveland Clinic article that kidneys are also responsible for:
· Producing Hormones that regulate blood pressure.
· Producing Erythropoietin, which is important for red blood cell production.
· Producing Vitamin D, which maintains bone and muscle health.
This article from them provides more information on the different kinds of kidney tests, how to prepare for them, and what to expect.
Kidney
Disease Warning
Signs
· Change in urination (frequency, color, foaming)
· Swelling in hands, feet, or ankles
· Fatigue or weakness
· Shortness of breath
· Persistent itching
· Muscle cramps
Healthy Kidney
Function Levels
A GFR of 60 or higher is in the normal range.
A GFR below 60 may mean kidney disease.
A GFR of 15 or lower may mean kidney failure.
What is GFR?
GFR stands for glomerular filtration rate. GFR is a measure of how well your kidneys filter blood.
*data from NIH
Prevention & Wellness Strategies
· Stay hydrated. Drink adequate water daily to support kidney function.
· Manage chronic conditions. Control blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
· Limit alcohol. Excess alcohol damages the liver.
· Eat a balanced diet. Focus on eating fruits, veggies, lean protein, and whole grains.