Liver function tests

[Fluoro]

I have received a letter from my surgery, saying that as I'm on sodium valproate that I need 2 have a LFT to test my U&E & Urea.

As I've been on the valproate for a number of years I have had previous tests at my old surgery but I've been at my current surgery for ages & never had a test. I'm not worried about the test, but just wanted 2 know do they do a full drug screen test as the letter just mentioned the valproate? I havnt used anything illegal other than a spliff, but was wondering what the U&E & Urea mean.

Any info appreciated thanks.

[froude]

The kidneys regulate the amount of water and salts that we have in our bodies. They do this by filtering the blood through millions of structures called nephrons. The kidneys also pass out certain waste products from the body. Urine is made up of the excess water, salts and waste products passed out by the kidneys down to the bladder..
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Routine blood test of kidney function

The usual blood test which checks that the kidneys are working properly measures the level of urea, creatinine, and certain dissolved salts.

Urea is a waste product formed from the breakdown of proteins. Urea is usually passed out in the urine. A high blood level of urea ('uraemia') indicates that the kidneys may not be working properly, or that you are dehydrated (have a low body water content).

Creatinine is a waste product made by the muscles. Creatinine passes into the bloodstream, and is usually passed out in urine. A high blood level of creatinine indicates that the kidneys may not be working properly. Creatinine is usually a more accurate marker of kidney function than urea.

Dissolved salts that are routinely measured are sodium, potassium, chloride and bicarbonate. They are sometimes referred to as 'electrolytes'. Abnormal blood levels of any of these may be due to a kidney problem. (Some other conditions may also alter the salt balance in the blood.).
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Who has a blood test of kidney function?

Routine kidney function is one of the most commonly performed blood tests. It may be done:.
•As part of a general health assessment.
•If you have suspected dehydration (when the urea level increases).
•If you have suspected kidney failure. The higher the blood levels of urea and creatinine, the less well the kidneys are working. The level of creatinine is usually used as a marker as to the severity of kidney failure. (Creatinine in itself is not harmful, but a high level indicates that the kidneys are not working properly. So, many other waste products will not be cleared out of the bloodstream.) You normally need treatment with dialysis if the level of creatinine goes higher than a certain value.
•Before and after starting treatment with certain medicines. Some medicines occasionally cause kidney damage as a side-effect. Therefore, kidney function is often checked before and after starting treatment with certain medicines.

HOPE THIS HELPS FLUORO,ALL the BEST FROUDE

[sapphire]

U&E is urea and electrolytes - they're just checking kidney function and that you have all the right electrolytes in the blood, the main ones are sodium, potassium chloride, calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate, phosphate and sulfate.

They will not do any kind of screen for medications or drugs, it's just to check liver and kidney functions.

[TuffsNotEnuff]

The kidneys...

One additional concern relates even mild kidney infections to heart problems.

This relationship exists because the adrenal gland is co-located with the kidneys. The adrenal glands' cortexes mainly produce cortisol, aldosterone and androgens, while the medullas produce epinephrine and norepinephrine. Epinephrine is also called adrenaline.

Kidney problems affect the adrenal gland which affects production of adrenaline. Heart rate can be affected up or down depending on what is going on.

If you do experience a kidney problem and suspect a heart rate side effect, ask for a heart monitor called a "halter" to record what is happening.

Better to play it safe.

[OP8S]

Interesting stuff tuff.
Every ECG that I have had to measure my QT interval my resting pulse has never been lower than 93 bps, even after lying on the examination bed for 1/2 an hour. Often it's above 100 bps. The nurse is only interested it appears in my QT interval which is within reasonable parameters, when I asked why my resting pulse was so high ( I believe it should be between 40-60 bps ) I was told that " everybody's different ". I think after reading your post that I should maybe ask for a liver function test when I'm called in for yet another ECG. My blood pressure is within normal parameters, I asked her to check that in case it was the reason for having such a high resting pulse, but if I've understood your post correctly then it may be related to my liver ?

[sapphire]

OP - I had a urea nd electrolyte done, and it showed low potassium, which can cause a prolonged QT, so I#*'m on potassium and magnesium supplements atm, hopefully it'll make a difference?!