Glossary term · Tests & reports
Liver function tests (also: LFT, Liver panel, Hepatic function panel): Liver function tests are a group of blood tests measuring substances made or processed by the liver, such as enzymes, albumin and bilirubin.
Liver function tests, also called a liver panel, use a blood sample to measure substances made or processed by the liver. MedlinePlus lists albumin, total protein, ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, bilirubin, LDH and prothrombin time. Gastroenterologists, liver transplant teams and surgeons in India use them to judge liver health before advising treatment.
What does each test measure?
- Albumin and total protein: proteins made by the liver.
- ALT, AST, ALP and GGT: enzymes that can rise when the liver or bile ducts are affected.
- Bilirubin: a waste product from old red blood cells, mostly cleared by the liver.
- LDH: an enzyme found in many tissues, with high levels in the liver.
- Prothrombin time (PT): how long the blood takes to clot.
How do I prepare?
MedlinePlus says fasting is usually required for about 10 to 12 hours. Tell the team about all medicines, but do not stop any unless your doctor says so.
How should results be read?
MedlinePlus cautions that liver tests alone usually cannot diagnose a specific disease. Abnormal results do not always mean a liver problem. For example, a high ALP can come from bone disease. Doctors look at the pattern with your symptoms, history and medicines, and may repeat tests.
Why are they asked for before treatment?
MedlinePlus lists liver tests among the common blood tests before surgery. Some medicines, including chemotherapy, can affect the liver, so baseline results help.
Liver disease referrals
For a liver opinion, send liver tests with imaging reports and any previous biopsy. Include results over time if you have them.
Questions people ask
Can liver tests show liver cancer?
Liver tests show how the liver is working but cannot diagnose cancer alone. MedlinePlus notes that abnormal results usually call for further testing. Imaging and sometimes a biopsy are needed.
Are LFTs part of a routine blood test?
MedlinePlus says many of these tests are part of a comprehensive metabolic panel, which is commonly ordered. Check your report for the individual values before sending it, and include the laboratory’s reference ranges.
Sources
General information, not medical or legal advice. Rules change: confirm with the official source. Your treating specialist decides on suitability, treatment and length of stay. How we write and check.