Free
E-newsletter
Subscribe to Housecall
Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date
on a wide variety of health topics.
close window
Mayo Clinic Housecall
Stay up to date on the latest health information.
What you get
- Free weekly e-newsletter
- Mayo Clinic expertise
- Recipes, tools and other helpful information
- We do not share your e-mail address
Why it's done
By Mayo Clinic staffLiver function tests can be used to:
- Screen for liver infections, such as hepatitis
- Monitor the progression of a disease, such as viral or alcoholic hepatitis, and determine how well a treatment is working
- Measure the severity of a disease, particularly scarring of the liver (cirrhosis)
- Monitor possible side effects of medications
Liver function tests check the levels of certain enzymes and proteins in your blood. Levels that are higher or lower than normal can indicate liver problems. Some common liver function tests include:
- Alanine transaminase (ALT). ALT is an enzyme found in the liver that helps your body metabolize protein. When the liver is damaged, ALT is released into the bloodstream and levels increase.
- Aspartate transaminase (AST). AST is an enzyme that helps metabolize alanine, an amino acid. Like ALT, AST is normally present in blood at low levels. An increase in AST levels may indicate liver damage or disease.
- Alkaline phosphatase (ALP). ALP is an enzyme in the liver, bile ducts and bone. Higher than normal levels of ALP may indicate liver damage or disease, such as a blocked bile duct, or certain bone diseases.
- Albumin and total protein. Albumin is one of several proteins made in the liver. Your body needs these proteins to fight infections and to perform other functions. Lower than normal levels of albumin and total protein may indicate liver damage or disease.
- Bilirubin. Bilirubin is a substance produced during the normal breakdown of red blood cells. Bilirubin passes through the liver and is excreted in stool. Elevated levels of bilirubin (jaundice) may indicate liver damage or disease.
- Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT). GGT is an enzyme in the blood. Higher than normal levels may indicate liver or bile duct damage.
- L-lactate dehydrogenase (LD). LD is an enzyme found in the liver. Elevated levels may indicate liver damage.
- Prothrombin time (PT). PT is the time it takes your blood to clot. Increased PT may indicate liver damage.
References
- 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.
- Liver panel. Lab Tests Online. http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/liver-panel/tab/glance. Accessed July 9, 2012.
- Picco MF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla. Aug. 17, 2012.
- 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.
- AskMayoExpert. Abnormal liver function tests - Approach to hepatitis. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2012.
- ALT. Mayo Medical Laboratories test catalog. http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/8362. Accessed Sept. 11, 2012.
- AST. Mayo Medical Laboratories test catalog. http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/8360. Accessed Sept. 11, 2012.
- ALP. Mayo Medical Laboratories test catalog. http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/8340. Accessed Sept. 11, 2012.
- Albumin. Mayo Medical Laboratories test catalog. http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/8436. Accessed Sept. 11, 2012.
- Total protein. Mayo Medical Laboratories test catalog. http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/8520. Accessed Sept. 11, 2012.
- Bilirubin. Mayo Medical Laboratories test catalog. http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/8452. Accessed Sept. 11, 2012.
- GGT. Mayo Medical Laboratories test catalog. http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/8677. Accessed Sept. 11, 2012.
- LD. Mayo Medical Laboratories test catalog. http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/8344. Accessed Sept. 11, 2012.
- PT. Mayo Medical Laboratories test catalog. http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/9236. Accessed Sept. 11, 2012.
Find Mayo Clinic on