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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffLiver function tests generally refer to a group of blood tests that measure certain enzymes or proteins in your blood. Liver function tests are used to help detect, evaluate and monitor liver disease or damage.
The term "liver function tests" can be misleading, because not all of these tests actually measure liver function. Some tests, such as albumin and bilirubin, do. These liver function tests measure how well the liver is producing the protein albumin and clearing a blood waste product, bilirubin. Other tests commonly done, but not true "liver function" tests, measure enzymes that liver cells release in response to damage or disease.
Together, liver function tests help evaluate the overall health of your liver and can sometimes indicate other diseases, such as malnutrition or bone disease.
- Kaplan MM, et al. Approach to the patient with abnormal liver function tests. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 2, 2010.
- Pratt DS. Liver chemistry and function tests. In: Feldman M, et al. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/php/208033710-3/homepage. Accessed July 2, 2010.
- Common blood tests. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/bdt/bdt_what.html. Accessed July 2, 2010.
- Laboratory reference values. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; July 1, 2010.
- PT and INR. Lab Tests Online. http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/pt/glance.html. Accessed July 6, 2010.
- Albumin. Lab Tests Online. http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/albumin/test.html#is. Accessed July 6, 2010.
- ALT. Lab Tests Online. http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/alt/glance.html. Accessed July 6, 2010.
- AST. Lab Tests Online. http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/ast/glance.html. Accessed July 6, 2010.
- ALP. Lab Tests Online. http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/alp/glance.html. Accessed July 6, 2010.
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