Liver function tests

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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Digestive Health

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Liver function tests are blood tests used to help diagnose and monitor liver disease or damage. The tests measure the levels of certain enzymes and proteins in your blood.

Some of these tests measure how well the liver is performing its normal functions of producing protein and clearing bilirubin, a blood waste product. Other liver function tests measure enzymes that liver cells release in response to damage or disease.

Conditions other than liver disease or damage can lead to abnormal liver function test results. Test results can be normal in people who have liver disease or damage.

Why it's done
References
  1. Feldman M, et al. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6189-2..X0001-7--TOP&isbn=978-1-4160-6189-2&about=true&uniqId=229935664-2192. Accessed July 9, 2012.
  2. Liver panel. Lab Tests Online. http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/liver-panel/tab/glance. Accessed July 9, 2012.
  3. Picco MF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla. Aug. 17, 2012.
  4. What are blood tests? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/bdt/bdt_what.html. Accessed July 9, 2012.
  5. AskMayoExpert. Abnormal liver function tests - Approach to hepatitis. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2012.
  6. ALT. Mayo Medical Laboratories test catalog. http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/8362. Accessed Sept. 11, 2012.
  7. AST. Mayo Medical Laboratories test catalog. http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/8360. Accessed Sept. 11, 2012.
  8. ALP. Mayo Medical Laboratories test catalog. http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/8340. Accessed Sept. 11, 2012.
  9. Albumin. Mayo Medical Laboratories test catalog. http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/8436. Accessed Sept. 11, 2012.
  10. Total protein. Mayo Medical Laboratories test catalog. http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/8520. Accessed Sept. 11, 2012.
  11. Bilirubin. Mayo Medical Laboratories test catalog. http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/8452. Accessed Sept. 11, 2012.
  12. GGT. Mayo Medical Laboratories test catalog. http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/8677. Accessed Sept. 11, 2012.
  13. LD. Mayo Medical Laboratories test catalog. http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/8344. Accessed Sept. 11, 2012.
  14. PT. Mayo Medical Laboratories test catalog. http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/9236. Accessed Sept. 11, 2012.
MY00093 Sept. 26, 2012

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