Total bile acids

Bile acids are produced by your liver and stored in your gallbladder, where they're released to help digest fats and absorb fat-soluble vitamins. After doing their job in your intestines, most bile acids are reabsorbed and returned to the liver to be used again. Measuring total bile acids can help assess how well your liver is functioning and whether bile flow is normal. Elevated levels may indicate liver disease, bile duct obstruction, or problems with bile acid circulation. This test is sometimes used during pregnancy to check for a condition called intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP).