Liver
12 markers in this category
ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase)
In adults, alkaline phosphatase reaches the blood from two tissues. Those two are the bile ducts inside the liver and the skeleton. For anyone lifting heavy, the bone side is the relevant one. Bone is living tissue, continuously broken down and rebuilt. This enzyme is released during that rebuilding. A raised value is therefore not automatically a liver warning. This page covers the causes that belong with heavy loading. It also covers the order in which you rule them out.
ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase)
The ALT value measures alanine aminotransferase, the enzyme that sits mainly in the liver. In men the reference range runs to 45 u/l, higher than the 34 in women. That difference comes partly from muscle mass. A raised ALT result means liver cells are being damaged. For men who train there are three main routes: abdominal fat, alcohol and what is being taken. That third route is the least discussed and often the most decisive.
AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase)
Anyone training heavy reads a liver panel differently. The ratio between AST and ALT, the De Ritis ratio, is the most interesting number on your report, not AST alone. In most liver conditions ALT sits higher than AST. With muscle damage from a heavy squat or deadlift session, that ratio tips the other way. On older reports this enzyme is still called SGOT. This page covers the ratio, the pattern associated with alcohol, and what oral anabolics actually do to your liver values.
Albumin
Albumin reflects liver health and protein status, both fundamental for maintaining muscle mass, recovery capacity, and overall male vitality.
Amylase
Amylase is a pancreatic enzyme important for men's digestive health. Men have higher rates of alcohol-related pancreatitis, making regular monitoring valuable.
Bilirubin (Direct)
Direct bilirubin is a liver marker particularly relevant for men who consume alcohol regularly or use supplements that may affect liver function. Monitoring this marker helps assess bile duct health and liver processing capacity.
Bilirubin (Indirect)
Indirect bilirubin is the part of your bilirubin that your liver has not yet processed. The value is not measured separately but calculated: your total bilirubin minus your direct bilirubin, in the same unit. That split helps to show where an abnormal total is coming from. This page explains what your indirect bilirubin result can mean.
Bilirubin (Total)
Total bilirubin is an essential liver marker for men's health. Alcohol intake, high-protein diets, and certain supplements commonly used by men can affect bilirubin levels. Regular monitoring helps identify potential liver issues early.
GGT (Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase)
GGT is a highly sensitive liver enzyme particularly relevant for men's health. Alcohol consumption, high-protein diets, and certain supplements commonly used by men can significantly elevate GGT levels, making it an important marker for monitoring liver wellness.
LDH (Lactate Dehydrogenase)
LDH is an enzyme found in every tissue in the body, including your muscles. Its full name is lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). This test measures the amount of LDH in a tube of blood. If cells break down, LDH escapes into the blood. The question that follows is nearly always the same: how high can the value go? There is no fixed answer, because every upper limit belongs to a laboratory method. What does give you a handle is how far your result sits above that particular upper limit.
Lipase
Lipase is a pancreatic enzyme important for men's digestive health. Men are at higher risk for alcohol-related pancreatitis, and monitoring lipase alongside dietary and lifestyle factors supports proactive health management.
Liver Function Test (LFT)
A liver function test provides a comprehensive assessment of liver health, which is particularly relevant for men. Alcohol consumption, high-protein diets, supplement use, and intense physical activity can all impact liver markers, making a full panel essential for men's wellness.