Liver Function Test (LFT)

Reasons for Undergoing the Liver Function Test

The liver function test, also known as the LFT test or LFT blood test, is a vital diagnostic tool for assessing liver health and function. It provides important information about liver enzymes, proteins, and overall organ performance. Understanding liver health is crucial, as the liver plays a key role in metabolism, detoxification, and various bodily functions.

There are several reasons to undergo a liver function test:

• Screening for Liver Diseases: This includes conditions like hepatitis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
• Monitoring Medication Side Effects: The liver function test or LFT test helps assess the impact of medications that may impact the liver, such as NSAIDs and statins.
• Assessing Liver Damage: The LFT test is important for individuals at higher risk, such as those with alcohol use disorder, obesity, or diabetes.
• Monitoring Treatment Progress: The liver function test or LFT test, evaluates the effectiveness of treatments for known liver conditions.
• Identifying Underlying Conditions: The LFT test helps detect conditions that may affect the liver, such as autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, or genetic disorders like Wilson's disease and hemochromatosis.

Investigating Symptoms: The liver function test helps diagnose symptoms related to liver issues, such as nausea, fatigue, jaundice, and abdominal pain. Early detection is essential for effective management.

Warning Symptoms of Poor Liver Health

The liver plays a vital role in filtering toxins, aiding digestion, and supporting metabolism. When it becomes damaged or stressed, the body often shows early warning signs that should not be overlooked.

These include:

• Persistent fatigue and low energy: Constant tiredness or a general lack of energy may signal that your liver is struggling. A sluggish liver can’t efficiently convert nutrients into energy, leading to ongoing fatigue.
• Jaundice: Jaundice, which causes a yellow tint in the skin or eyes, results from a buildup of bilirubin in the blood. This can occur when the liver can’t properly process or eliminate waste.
• Abdominal discomfort or swelling: Pain or a heavy feeling in the upper right side of the abdomen may be linked to liver inflammation or fluid retention, a condition known as ascites.
• Changes in urine or stool colour: Dark urine and pale or clay-coloured stools often indicate liver or bile duct issues. These changes reflect an imbalance in bile production or flow.
• Sudden weight loss and nausea: Unintentional weight loss, poor appetite, and frequent nausea may point to a liver that isn’t functioning properly, especially if these symptoms persist.

If you experience any of these symptoms, it's crucial to consult your doctor and consider getting an LFT test. Identifying liver problems early allows for timely treatment and better management of your health.

When To Get Tested For An LFT Test?

Liver function tests (LFTs) are group of blood tests that assess how well your liver is working. These blood tests detect liver damage, inflammation, infection, fatty liver , cirrhosis and liver tumours. Knowing when to get tested can help detect liver problems early and guide treatment.

Your doctor may recommend an LFT in several scenarios:

• If you notice symptoms like jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), persistent fatigue, abdominal pain or swelling, dark urine, or unexplained weight loss, an LFT can help identify if your liver is affected.
• People with a history of heavy alcohol use, obesity, diabetes, hepatitis infections, or exposure to liver toxins should consider regular LFT screenings. These factors increase the risk of liver damage, even without symptoms.
• Some medications can affect liver health. Your doctor may recommend an LFT before and during treatment to monitor liver function and avoid complications.
• LFTs are sometimes part of standard blood work during routine exams, especially if you have risk factors or a family history of liver disease.
• If imaging studies like ultrasounds or CT scans show liver abnormalities, an LFT may be ordered to further evaluate liver function.

Consult your doctor if you suspect liver problems or have risk factors; early testing helps in timely diagnosis and treatment.

Interpreting Abnormal Liver Function Test (LFT) Results

LFT test measures the blood levels of various enzymes and proteins that reflect your liver's health.

The main components typically include:

• Alanine transaminase ALT(SGPT) and aspartate transaminase AST(SGOT): Elevated levels can indicate liver damage or inflammation.
• Alkaline phosphatase (ALP): High ALP may point to blocked bile ducts or liver disease.
• Gamma GT: Enzyme involved in bile metabolism. High level often indicate alcohol use, bile duct issues or liver damage. 
• Bilirubin: Byproduct of RBC breakdown, elevated in  jaundice and suggest problems with bile excretion.
• Albumin : Major protein made by the liver, low levels can indicate chronic liver disease or malnutrition.
• Proteins Total: Includes albumin and globulins, helps to assess overall nutritional and health status.

Keep in mind that liver function blood test results can be influenced by factors like medications, alcohol intake, and non-liver diseases. Abnormal results don't always mean you have liver damage, but they do require follow-up with your doctor.

Why Do Doctors Recommend a Liver Function Test (LFT)?

Doctors rely on LFTs to assess liver health and diagnose potential problems. Some key reasons your physician may advise an LFT test include:

• Screening for liver diseases: LFTs can help detect conditions like hepatitis B or C, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and alcoholic liver disease.
• Monitoring existing liver problems: If you've been diagnosed with a liver condition, regular LFTs allow your doctor to track disease progression and treatment response.
• Assessing medication side effects: Certain medicines, such as statins or acetaminophen, can impact liver function. LFTs help monitor for any adverse effects.
• Evaluating unexplained symptoms: Abdominal pain, persistent fatigue, or jaundice may have a liver-related cause that an LFT can uncover.
• Pre-surgery evaluation: Before major surgeries, doctors often order an LFT to ensure the liver can handle the stress of the procedure and any medications used.

Potential Health Risks of Skipping Liver Function Tests

Skipping recommended LFTs can have serious consequences, including:

• Undiagnosed liver disease: Without regular testing, progressive conditions like cirrhosis or even liver cancer may go unnoticed until they cause severe symptoms or complications.
• Medication-related liver injury: Certain medicines can silently damage the liver over time. Identifying toxicity early through LFTs allows for adjusting medications before significant harm occurs.
• Delayed treatment: Catching liver issues early allows for prompt intervention and lifestyle changes that can slow or stop disease progression. Postponing LFTs may mean missing this critical window.
• Increased risk of liver failure: In advanced stages, liver diseases can lead to life-threatening liver failure. Regular LFTs are crucial for preventing this devastating outcome.

By getting a liver function blood test at the recommended intervals, you can catch liver problems early, when lifestyle changes and medical interventions are most effective.

At Metropolis Healthcare, we understand the importance of convenient and reliable diagnostic testing. Our trained phlebotomists offer at-home sample collection for liver function tests, ensuring your comfort and safety. With our state-of-the-art laboratories and secure online reporting, you can trust Metropolis to provide accurate LFT test results to guide your healthcare journey.

Remember, your liver health is essential to your overall well-being. By staying proactive with regular LFTs and partnering with a trusted diagnostic provider like Metropolis, you can take control of your health.

List of Parameters Considered During the Liver Function Test

The liver function test, or the LFT test, measures several key parameters to evaluate the health and functioning of the liver.

These parameters include:

• Alanine Transaminase (ALT) Test: ALT is an enzyme primarily located in the liver. Elevated ALT levels indicate liver damage, which can occur in conditions such as hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), or liver injury caused due to medications or toxins.
• Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) Test: AST is another enzyme found in the liver and, to a lesser extent, in muscles. High AST levels can indicate liver damage but may be elevated due to muscle injury.
• Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) Test: ALP is an enzyme found in the liver, bile ducts, and bones. Elevated ALP levels can indicate liver or bile duct damage, as well as bone diseases.
• Gamma-Glutamyltransferase (GGT) Test: GGT is an enzyme found in the liver and bile ducts. High GGT levels often indicate liver or bile duct damage and can be used to differentiate between liver and bone as the source of elevated ALP.
• Bilirubin Test: Bilirubin is a waste product formed during the breakdown of red blood cells. The liver removes bilirubin from the blood. High bilirubin levels can cause jaundice and may indicate liver dysfunction or a blockage in the bile ducts.
• Albumin and Total Protein Test: Albumin and total protein are proteins produced by the liver. Low levels of albumin or total protein indicate liver damage or disease, as the liver's ability to produce these proteins is compromised.
• Prothrombin Time (PT) or International Normalised Ratio (INR) Test: Prothrombin Time measures the time taken for the blood clotting process, while INR offers a standardised interpretation of this measurement. These tests further assess the liver's ability to produce clotting factors. A prolonged PT or elevated INR may indicate liver damage that affects blood coagulation.
   

Home Collection for Liver Function Test Near You

Metropolis Healthcare provides a convenient home collection service for a Liver Function Test (LFT test), allowing you to prioritise your health while ensuring comfort and safety. A trained phlebotomist will collect blood samples at your preferred time, so you don’t have to visit a diagnostic centre. With a focus on high standards and accurate testing, Metropolis ensures timely and reliable liver function test or LFT test results, making preventive care and early detection of liver diseases more accessible and hassle-free.

Liver Function Test Price In Different Cities

The cost of a Liver Function Test may vary depending on your location. Here's a table showing the approximate price range for the LFT Test at Metropolis Healthcare in major Indian cities:

The LFT test cost may vary depending on the city and the specific tests included in the panel. However, Metropolis Healthcare offers competitive Liver Function test prices across major cities in India.