Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

The Omega-3 Index measures the percentage of EPA and DHA (the two most important omega-3 fatty acids) in red blood cell membranes. It reflects your long-term omega-3 status over the past 3–4 months and is considered one of the most reliable markers of cardiovascular risk related to fatty acid balance. An index above 8% is associated with the lowest cardiovascular risk.

This sum represents all major omega-3 fatty acids (ALA, EPA, DPA, DHA) in the blood.

DGLA is a key omega-6 fatty acid formed from GLA. It produces anti-inflammatory prostaglandins and acts as a metabolic balance point between GLA and arachidonic acid.

The TyG index combines fasting triglycerides and glucose to estimate insulin resistance.

Fasting insulin measures baseline insulin levels necessary to maintain normal blood sugar.

The HOMA index estimates insulin resistance using fasting glucose and insulin values.

LDH is an enzyme present in most tissues and released when cells are damaged.

Fat stored around internal organs within the abdominal cavity. VAT is metabolically active and produces inflammatory cytokines and hormones that affect insulin sensitivity and metabolism. Excessive VAT is strongly linked to metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.

The ratio of visceral adipose tissue to subcutaneous adipose tissue. This measure helps evaluate fat distribution patterns, with higher ratios indicating relatively more visceral fat, which is associated with greater metabolic risk than subcutaneous fat.

The sum of all adipose tissue in the abdominal region, including both visceral and subcutaneous compartments. This measurement provides an overall assessment of abdominal adiposity.

A normalized measure of all abdominal fat (both visceral and subcutaneous) adjusted for height. It's calculated by dividing total abdominal fat volume by the square of height, allowing for standardized comparison between individuals of different body sizes.

Fat stored beneath the skin in the abdominal region. While still contributing to overall adiposity, ASAT is generally considered less metabolically harmful than visceral fat. However, excessive ASAT can still contribute to insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction, albeit to a lesser degree than VAT.

The proportion of abdominal fat relative to total body fat. This measurement helps assess fat distribution patterns, which can be more clinically relevant than total fat alone. Higher abdominal fat ratios are associated with increased metabolic and cardiovascular risks.

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a blood marker used to detect low levels of inflammation in the body. It is a more precise version of standard CRP testing and is especially useful for assessing cardiovascular risk, as even mild inflammation can contribute to heart disease.

Testosterone and estradiol work in balance. In men, a small share of testosterone is continuously converted into estradiol, the main estrogen, by the enzyme aromatase, which is most active in fat tissue. The T:E2 ratio compares the two hormones and shows how strongly this conversion is running. A low ratio means relatively more estradiol. Common drivers are excess body fat, regular alcohol use, reduced liver clearance and low testosterone production itself. In men this pattern can contribute to reduced libido, difficulty building muscle, fatigue, mood changes and breast tissue growth. A high ratio points to too little estradiol relative to testosterone, which matters for bone strength, joints and sexual function even when testosterone itself looks fine. Body fat, alcohol, sleep and training all influence the ratio, so it often improves with the same habits that support healthy testosterone. We calculate it from testosterone and estradiol measured in the same molar unit (pmol/l). Ranges quoted in US units (ng/dL divided by pg/mL) are roughly 9 times lower than values on this scale.

This ratio compares two liver enzymes to give insight into liver health.

FIB-4 combines age, platelet count, and liver enzymes to estimate the degree of liver fibrosis.

Direct bilirubin forms when the liver processes bilirubin so it can be excreted.

Proton Density Fat Fraction measurement of the liver, quantifying hepatic fat content. Elevated values indicate hepatic steatosis (fatty liver), which may progress to more severe liver disease.

GGT (Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase): An enzyme particularly sensitive to alcohol consumption and certain medications. Elevated GGT can indicate bile duct issues, fatty liver disease, or alcohol-related liver damage.

A yellow pigment produced when the body breaks down red blood cells. The liver processes bilirubin for elimination. Elevated total bilirubin can indicate liver dysfunction, bile duct obstruction, or increased red blood cell destruction.

An enzyme present in liver, heart, muscle, and other tissues. While less specific to the liver than ALAT, elevated levels often indicate liver damage when other liver markers are also abnormal.

The most abundant protein in blood plasma, produced by the liver. In kidney contexts, low levels in blood may indicate protein loss through damaged kidneys, while presence of albumin in urine (albuminuria) is an important marker of kidney damage.

ALAT (Alanine Aminotransferase): An enzyme primarily found in liver cells. When liver cells are damaged, ALAT leaks into the bloodstream, making it a sensitive indicator of liver injury from various causes.