Drinkers' liver damage testing kit

Drinkers worried about liver damage can test themselves at home.

The LiverCheck test measures levels of two enzymes in the blood produced when alcohol damages liver cells. The makers say the test will give users an idea of whether they are drinking too much.

Dr Peter Horlock from Yorktest said the test would help diagnose problem drinkers and put the "worried well" at ease.

He said: "This test is aimed at the worried well who are thinking about their lifestyle and health.

"They might already be doing something to harm their livers and they can get an idea of how their liver is doing.

"Then they can take action if they need to moderate their drinking habits."

For £99, buyers will receive the kit with instructions on taking a blood sample to be posted to the laboratory. The results come within 15 days and show drinking danger levels on a colour coded scale. Those whose levels are shown as dark amber or red will be warned to drastically cut back on their drinking - or stop entirely.

Dr Rajiv Jalan, a liver expert at University College Hospital in London said the check will save lives.

"If someone knew they were going to get liver disease, they would do something about it," he said.

"LiverCheck could avoid them getting to the stage where they are doing themselves real harm."

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