A Patient’s View of Blood Tests and What They Mean for the Liver Transplant Candidate

The three most important blood tests for the liver transplant candidate are Creatinine, INR or Bleeding Time, and Total Bilirubin. The combination of these three make up the MELD score, as I had covered in a previous blog. By the way, you can google any of these terms, should you wish to dig a little deeper. Creatinine (from the Greek κρέας, flesh) is a break-down product of creatine phosphate in muscle, and is usually produced at a fairly constant rate by the body (depending on muscle mass). It is filtered through the kidneys, so it is used as a measurement of kidney function. The higher the number is from the ideal range, the worse the damage to the kidneys. INR or Bleeding Time is an indicator of the ability of the blood to clot and is tied, among other things to your platelet count. The lower the platelet count, and the higher the INR is in relation to the normal range, the more likely the liver transplant candidate may experience internal bleeding, which is not good at all. One of the symptoms of cirrhosis is bleeding easily and a longer time span the blood takes to coagulate. This symptom is problematic at best, and can be controlled by applying pressure, some Neosporin and a good old fashion bandaid. Total Bilirubin (formerly referred to as hematoidin) is the yellow breakdown product of normal heme.. Heme is found in hemoglobin, a principal component of red blood cells. Bilirubin is excreted in bile and urine, and elevated levels may indicate certain diseases. It is responsible for the yellow color of bruises, urine, and the yellow discoloration in jaundice, and has a major effect of measuring liver function, such as blockage of the liver ducts in the liver transplant candidate. Unfortunately, too much bilirubin remaining in the body accumulates around the brain and can create seizures, lack of concentration and other related symptoms that the liver transplant candidate definitely does not want. More meaning on blood test results will be coming in the next blog.