All products of digestion are filtered through the liver, which makes the liver's functions numerous and very important. It is responsible for excretion of copper, enhancing the absorption of fatty acids, far soluble vitamins, carbohydrate metabolism,storage of glycogen, globulin synthesization, coagulation, detoxification and thermoregulation. The liver receives about 20% of the body's blood volume and has a unique blood system. The hepatic artery carries blood from the heart and the portal vein carries blood from the stomach, intestines, pancreas, and spleen. Even though there may be increases in liver enzymes on blood chemistry, it's important to remember that is just an indication of cellular damage and not necessarily a true decrease in hepatic function. That said, the basic rule of thumb when dealing with patients with hepatic dysfunction is to not use drugs that metabolize in the liver.
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