Liver Function Test(LFT)

A Liver Function Test or a Liver Panel/LFT/liver profile/hepatic function panel is a series of blood tests that measure proteins, enzymes and other substances made by the liver. Through these tests, doctors check the overall health of the liver. Different substances are checked at the same time in a single blood sample such as

  • Albumin, a protein synthesized by the liver.
  • Total protein. This tests measures the total quantity of protein manufactured in the blood.
  • Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Alanine Transaminase (ALT), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), and Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT). These are different enzymes produced by the liver.
  • Bilirubin, a waste product produced by the liver.
  • Prothrombin time (PT), a protein used for blood clotting.
  • Lactate Dehydrogenase (LD), an enzyme found in most body cells, this one is released into the blood when cells are damaged due to injury or disease.

    • A liver test is done to study the levels of all the above enzymes and proteins, and any change in their levels can indicate a sign of liver disease.

    A liver function test are most often suggested to diagnose liver diseases such as hepatitis, to monitor treatment of liver diseases and to check how badly the liver has been damaged such as cirrhosis. It is sometimes suggested to monitor side effects of some medicines administered to the patient.

    The doctor may suggest a liver function test to check whether the patient is affected by jaundice, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, light-coloured stool or dark-coloured urine.

    Sometimes, a liver function test is suggested if the patient has a family history of liver disease, alcohol use disorder or a possibility of hepatitis. The health care professional will take the blood sample of the patient from a vein in the arm to check the blood sample.

    Freequently Asked Questions About LFT

  • Q1. What tests are done to check Liver function?
  • Q2. What test shows liver problems?

    • Q1. What tests are done to check Liver function?

    The common liver function tests are:

  • Alanine transaminase (ALT)
  • Aspartate transaminase (AST)
  • Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
  • Albumin and total protein
  • Bilirubi
  • Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT)
  • L-lactate dehydrogenase (LD)
  • Prothrombin time (PT)

    • Of these, the most common liver function test is the Alanine transaminase (ALT) test. This is an enzyme is produced by the liver, but is found in the bloodstream only after acute liver damage. This test may be performed to evaluate liver function, and/or diagnose treatment for diseases such as hepatitis.

    Q2. What test shows liver problems?

    While blood tests are usually suggested to diagnose and detect liver problems, they are also detected in an ultrasound, CT scan and MRI. Doctors can also detect liver problems by checking a tissue sample. They may remove a tissue sample(biopsy) from the liver to help diagnose the exact liver problem.

    Blood tests usually assess the below or above normal levels of certain proteins and enzymes produced by the liver. These abnormal ranges indicate a liver problem.

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