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Liver Function Tests

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Summary
What is Liver Function Tests?
References
Disclaimer

What is Liver Function Tests?

Common tests that are used to evaluate liver function include: Albumin Alpha-1 antitrypsin ALP ALT AST Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) Prothrombin time Serum bilirubin Urine bilirubin Please see individual tests for details on how each is performed.

Alternative names

LFT

How the Test is Performed

What is Liver Function Tests?

Common tests that are used to evaluate liver function include:

Please see individual tests for details on how each is performed.

References

Pincus MR, Abraham NZ. Interpreting laboratory results. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 21st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2006:chap 8.

Pincus MR, Tierno P, Dufour DR. Evaluation of liver function. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 21st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2006:chap 21.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch). The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- 2008 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Review Date: 11/16/2008

Reviewed By: Linda Vorvick, MD, Family Physician, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.11/16/2008

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T3

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Blood tests results - what's this mean?
- Posted On March 14, 2009 04:57:10 PM
  ...erstand. lol Can anyone translate? The liver function tests were considered high, and here were the results: GPT Result: 103 Range: 10-54 GOT Result: 55 Range: 15-41 I was supposed to go bac... Read More
- Posted On March 14, 2009 11:58:59 PM
  This might help you understand what the tests were for, but I'd definately talk to you Dr. about any confusing results: http://www.amarillomed.com/howto.htm#Enzymes Read More
apple detox
- Posted On December 24, 2007 07:09:21 AM
  ...vegetables and complex carbohydrates to function. In my opinion, detox diets are not beneficial. Your body has mechanisms built in to help you get rid of waste already, there is no need to a... Read More
- Posted On December 24, 2007 07:17:57 AM
  yer, thats what your liver is for i hardly think one would even want to live off apples for two days anyway. i was looking up the apple diet on the net and it said you could have what you woul... Read More
Hi there,
- Posted On July 17, 2007 02:12:52 PM
  ...dnt know where to start. Also, my blood tests and everything health wise are normal so I dont see why I need to be concerned Read More
- Posted On July 17, 2007 02:40:33 PM
  ... to keep your heart beating, your brain functioning and your lungs pumping air (not to mention a load of other things)? If you do not provide your body with the calories to do so, it will find ... Read More
advice for a "checkup"
- Posted On June 13, 2008 10:16:13 PM
  ... question is: what do I ask for? What tests should I ask for? I really don't want to just go and get weighed, blood pressure, my heart/lungs listened to, etc. If it helps, I'm 25 years old, ... Read More
- Posted On June 13, 2008 10:19:10 PM
  Ask for a full panel blood test... should be done fasting for 8 hours prior... Read More
water intake and output o.o
- Posted On July 13, 2007 10:46:12 PM
  ...ur. I've talked to my doc, who did some tests on my kidney and checked me for infections and diabetes, then reffered me to a urologist who told me, and I quote, "Don't drink so much water, you n... Read More
- Posted On July 17, 2007 11:35:42 AM
  ... the kidneys is somewhat shifted to the liver. When this happens the liver can not metabolize fat, but instead is busy trying to deal with toxins. So suddenly there's water, and the kidney... Read More
Exercising in the morning and eating
- Posted On May 7, 2009 12:01:03 PM
  ...e that's been stored in the muscles and liver in the form of glycogen. When your glycogen stores are depleted, your body will indeed tap more of its fat reserves, just as Nocton's client anticip... Read More
- Posted On May 8, 2009 11:59:28 AM
  ...amino acids immediately first thing for function and repair....basically you lose muscle. Eating stops this process plus when a person decides that it's the intensity and type of workout that is... Read More
Who wants to low-carb it with me for a while?
- Posted On January 8, 2008 09:46:09 PM
  ...ttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/liver:3787zaxt]liver converts [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triacylglyceride:3787zaxt]fat into [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wi... Read More
- Posted On January 14, 2008 10:34:06 AM
  ...-afternoon snack. That stuff's the greatest. Read More
Fasting
- Posted On October 16, 2007 12:28:41 AM
  ... another fast for the duration then did tests. There was no/very minimal differences found between them but I don't know for sure what the fast was (i.e. water only, fluids only etc) The wom... Read More
- Posted On October 16, 2007 11:27:09 AM
  ... for 24 hours prior to having a medical test done. It was the longest 24 hours...when someone tells you you can't eat that is ALL you think about. I'm one of those people who can eat even when... Read More
Fatz and oilz........for people that are curious.
- Posted On December 22, 2008 04:44:33 AM
  ...he form of butter, eggs, cheese, cream, liver, meats and rich patés. Yet the French have a lower rate of coronary heart disease than many other western countries. In the United States, 315 of e... Read More
- Posted On December 22, 2008 06:05:51 AM
  ...of carbs. You can be spot on with the latest nutrition info regarding pwo and if your not hitting your macro's it's all for not. Read More
Feline Renal Failure (Chronic or Acute Kidney Failure)??
- Posted On January 28, 2009 07:06:49 PM
  ...ears old and is having decreased kidney function. I would love to know of any others out there that are dealing with this. I am heart broken but trying to hold it together for my kitty and fam... Read More
- Posted On January 28, 2009 08:56:35 PM
  ... say cats have at least 70% decrease in function before they even show symptoms. Being that my kitty is only 8, I was not prepared for any of this. I hope gracie that you are able to enjoy you... Read More
No surgery today...
...or said that the blood work done on his liver was much too high. Meaning that his liver is working overtime, but not doing the proper cleansing job that it's supposed to. Because of this we didn...
- Posted On July 22, 2008 11:47:22 AM
  ...u too. Once they put Zeus on meds, his liver will be functioning normally again. I'm sure everything will be fine. Read More
- Posted On July 22, 2008 04:48:37 PM
  ...r if they could do an ultrasound on his liver... this would show you if there is any type of mass or anything on it that would imply cancer. this way if god forbid there is a problem you know it... Read More
iron deficiency anemia
...d I take iron supplements, but my blood tests show that my blood iron is still low. I know that things such as red meat, leafy greens, and dried fruit are high in iron but I'm looking for better...
- Posted On March 16, 2009 02:46:14 PM
  ... scallops, shrimp, i believe oystars.., liver, and chicken) and a serving of a green vegtable (broccoli, spinach, peas, green beens, asparagus, etc.) and some sort of fruit (apple, banana, pear,... Read More
- Posted On March 16, 2009 02:46:14 PM
  ... scallops, shrimp, i believe oystars.., liver, and chicken) and a serving of a green vegtable (broccoli, spinach, peas, green beens, asparagus, etc.) and some sort of fruit (apple, banana, pear,... Read More
xylitol toxic to dogs -
...ickly. The second thing that happens is liver failure. If that happens, even with aggressive treatment, it can be difficult to save them. The vet told us she would call us. Almost two hou...
- Posted On August 22, 2008 01:51:12 PM
  ...he market. Dog owners need to sign a protest getting this crap pulled off the market. Read More
- Posted On August 21, 2008 11:11:48 AM
  Wow thanks for passing that on. One more thing that I have to be sure Chompers never gets near. Read More
Christmas Eve
...ause it's starting to interfere with my liver function so that will be Tuesday morning. Whew! It's supposed to be a pretty simple surgery but I haven't ever had one so i'm pretty nervous :( I...
- Posted On December 24, 2008 04:33:55 PM
  rachel-sorry your hurting hope the surgery goes well i to had a scare i went to the doctor yesterday for my knee which was hurting more then usally on the back part where your knee bends and fro... Read More
OHHHH NURSE!!!
i have a question...my sister was diagnosed with sarcoidosis 2 years ago. the dr said she's lost 10 years off her life. i know its an autoimmune disorder but can anyone splain really better than i...
- Posted On October 18, 2007 04:33:18 PM
  too many of them, momma. liver, kidney(s), sack around the heart, lungs...possibly affecting the eyes and brain since last jan. not good at all. Read More
- Posted On October 19, 2007 12:52:00 PM
  ...especially in the chest, skin, eyes and liver. Less often, sarcoidosis affects the spleen, brain, nerves, heart, tear glands, salivary glands, bones and joints. Rarely, sarcoidosis affects oth... Read More
A gain this week...
Last week: 117.7lbs This week: 120.1lbs.
- Posted On April 8, 2009 05:28:21 AM
  ...ome blood test results back. Kindey and liver function, not great. Haemoglobin, not great. They want me to go back for tests again in 3-4 weeks. This is frightening. I am petrified. Read More
- Posted On April 8, 2009 05:17:32 AM
  I peeked. Darling I mean this from my Heart, I'm worried about you. You are NOT eating enough calories, you're body will NOT let go of what your giving it because it is probably in starvation mod... Read More
Insulin Capsules Are Coming Soon

... Insulin Capsule is absorbed and then delivered to the liver, this compensates the pancreas' function. The testing of the drug is quite simple because patients are taking the capsule then they m...
calories
When i joined this website (yesterday) it told me to eat almost 1,900 calories a day in order to lose 2 pounds a week. I neeever eat that much. I mean yesterday i ate 900 and was just fine and toda...
- Posted On December 10, 2008 05:36:20 AM
  ...doctors put people on have weekly blood tests and nutritional supplements (think Oprah and Optifast). Check out LONessaVE (she posted on my diary recently to get a link - she isn't in this grou... Read More
- Posted On December 10, 2008 09:08:12 AM
  ...ore, slowing your metabolic rate. Your liver alone needs over 500 calories to function, that doesn't include other organs and functions. So, sticking to higher calories without being out of th... Read More
What supplements do you take, how much, and why?
Just curious - Norska said she took cinnamon capsules & chromium picolinate. What all food supplements is everyone taking, and why? I hate pills but I've been taking: Apex over 50 multivitamin ...
- Posted On November 19, 2007 07:32:43 PM
  ...ith my anxiety and horomone balance and liver cleansing - which showed up normal liver function on my blood tests when I was having issues. Also, helps with food cravings Multivitamin - adde... Read More
- Posted On November 19, 2007 08:44:49 AM
  I don't take near as much as I should I am sure. About all the "supplements" I take are Multi-Vitamin with Iron because I am anemic TUMS for calcium (chocolate gives me headaches) the re... Read More
Hi
...in my head. I have inflammation of the liver and my whole body is inflammed. He said it is caused by all the med's I am taking. The predisone was probably the start of all the inflammation. ...
- Posted On January 30, 2009 06:50:43 AM
  ...your health issues. Hoping next month's tests will show a great improvement. Yeah for you being able to stick to your diet. Read More
- Posted On January 30, 2009 05:29:29 AM
  Sorry to hear about the health issues. It's a good thing that you kept insisting something must be off since you weren't feeling well. Read More

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psoriasishelp: Re: Hello: HiI had methotextrate for 18 months and was no better off. My liver function tests were up a... http://bit.ly/ajEueU #psoriasis

autiemom3boys: @TheCoffeeKlatch lithium requires blood tests for liver function too I believe. #tck

jamesdeeming: @unfortunatalie Liver function tests?

cyclingalps: my check-up was good. Cholesterol down, blood/urine tests fine, even good liver function (!) .... beers to celebrate tonite?

down2earthnews: Interesting These include liver function tests that measure the level of various enzymes produced by the liver and... http://bit.ly/cQV9eD

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Liver Function Tests

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