Liver Function Test Interpretation

Published by NHC on March 3, 2021March 3, 2021

Liver Function Test (LFT) Interpretation

Marker	Function	Result/Conditions
ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase)	Enzyme found in the liver	Raised levels: Inflammation Liver disease Hepatitis Haemochromatosis EBV, CMV Paracetamol Methotrexate
AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase)	Enzyme found in the liver, heart and muscles	Raised levels: Liver disease Hepatitis Drug and alcohol toxicity EBV, CMV Inflammation
ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase)	Enzyme produced in liver, bones and placenta during pregnancy	Raised levels: Liver disease Bile duct obstruction Growth spurt Bone disorders Pregnancy Lowered levels: OCP use Anti-epileptics
GGT (Gamma-glutamyl Transpeptidase)	Enzyme found in the liver	Raised levels Liver disease Bile duct obstruction Gallbladder issues Acute/chronic alcohol abuse
Albumin	A protein produced by the liver. Helps prevent fluid from leaking out of blood vessels, transports substances throughout the body.	Lowered levels: Acute and chronic inflammatory responses Liver disease (acute and chronic) Kidney disease Heart failure Malnutrition Raised levels: Dehydration Can elevate due to fasting from mild dehydration
Globulin	Group of proteins produced by the liver and immune system	Raised levels: Certain cancers Inflammatory diseases Immune disorders Infection
Total Protein	Measures total of Albumin and globulin	Lowered levels: Malnutrition Liver disease Kidney disease Congestive Heart Failure Raised in: Multiple myeloma Inflammatory disorders Dehydration
Bilirubin	A substance made during breakdown of RBCs. Found in bile. Unconjugated: Waste product of RBCs taken up by the liver. Conjugated: Water soluble and excreted into bile for elimination.	Raised levels: Unconjugated Haemolytic anemia Ineffective erythropoetis Gilbert’s syndrome Conjugated Hepatitis Liver disease Gall bladder disease Drug toxicity Lowered levels: Caffeine NSAIDs Barbiturates
Prothrombin Time	Measures how long it takes blood to clot	High: Liver disease/damage Blood thinning medication Vitamin K deficiency Inadequate protein Low: Vitamin K supplementation Estrogen containing medications
LDH (Lactate Dehydrogenase)	Enzyme involved in energy metabolism. Found in heart, liver, kidneys, muscles, lungs, blood cells	Raised levels Tissue damage Infections Kidney disease Liver disease Pancreatitis Haemolytic and pernicious anaemia

References

Pagana, K. D., & Pagana, T. J. (2019). Mosby’s Diagnostic and Laboratory Test Reference (14th ed.) Elsevier Health Sciences

Williamson, M. A., Snyder, L. M., & Wallach, J. B. 1. (2011). Wallach’s interpretation of diagnostic tests. (9th ed.) Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.