Hepatic function refers to the wide array of essential metabolic, synthetic, and regulatory processes performed by the liver, the largest internal organ. Key functions include detoxification of endogenous and exogenous compounds, synthesis of crucial plasma proteins like albumin and clotting factors, and the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism. Optimal hepatic function is indispensable for maintaining systemic homeostasis and hormonal balance.
Origin
The term is derived from the Greek word hēpar, meaning “liver,” and “function,” denoting the specific actions or activities of an organ. This clinical term is used broadly across medicine, particularly in gastroenterology and endocrinology, to describe the liver’s operational status and its critical role in processing hormones and nutrients. Assessing hepatic function is routine clinical practice.
Mechanism
The liver processes hormones by synthesizing and releasing carrier proteins, such as SHBG, which regulate free hormone bioavailability. Furthermore, it metabolizes and inactivates hormones, preparing them for excretion through conjugation and bile production. Its central role in glucose and lipid homeostasis also indirectly influences endocrine signaling, making it a pivotal organ in the body’s metabolic and hormonal regulatory network.
Optimizing metabolic health with TRT requires monitoring glucose, lipids, body composition, hematocrit, PSA, and liver function to ensure safe, effective endocrine recalibration.
Testosterone optimization in women, when precisely dosed and monitored, demonstrates a reassuring long-term safety profile across multiple physiological systems.
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