Archive · 25 Oct 2025
Understanding Liver Function Test (LFT) Reports
Liver function tests (LFTs) are blood tests used to check how well your liver is working.
These tests look at different parts of the liver, like injury, bile flow, and the liver's ability to make things.
If your test results are not normal, it doesn't always mean there's a serious problem, and the results need to be understood as patterns.
Some common causes of abnormal LFTs include non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcohol, viral hepatitis, and certain medicines.
If you have any serious symptoms like yellowing skin or severe pain, see a doctor right away.
Doctors combine LFTs with other tests to give you the best care for liver problems.
LFTs are common blood tests used to screen for liver health.
Different markers in LFTs indicate liver cell injury, bile flow problems, and synthetic function.
Interpreting LFTs involves looking for patterns rather than single numbers.
Common causes of abnormal LFTs include NAFLD, alcohol, viral hepatitis, and drug-induced injury.
Doctors use a combination of tests for at-risk patients.
- Who
- Patients undergoing liver function tests (LFTs) and doctors interpreting them.
- What
- Information about liver function test (LFT) reports, including understanding markers and patterns.
- When
- Tests are typically done as part of routine blood tests.
- Where
- N/A
- Why
- To screen for liver disease, monitor liver conditions, or check for drug effects.
- Test Purpose
- Screen for liver disease, monitor known liver conditions, or check for drug effects
- Key Markers
- ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, Bilirubin, Albumin, INR
- Hepatocellular Pattern
- ALT/AST >> ALP (e.g., viral hepatitis, NAFLD)
- Cholestatic Pattern
- ALP and bilirubin predominate (e.g., bile duct obstruction)
- Causes of Abnormal LFTs
- NAFLD, alcoholic liver disease, viral hepatitis, DILI, cholestatic disease
- When to Seek Urgent Attention
- Jaundice, severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, confusion, prolonged INR