Liver Function Test (LFT) – LIVER SCREEN
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Recommended for
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LIVER SCREEN Details in Brief
| Also Known As | Liver Panel, Liver Profile, Hepatic Function Panel |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To detect liver damage, track disease progress, and evaluate treatment success. |
| Preparation | Fasting for 12-14 hours before the test |
| Fasting | 12 -14 Hours |
| Reporting Time | < 24 Hours |
| Cost | 650 |
Liver Function tests are group of tests ordered to understand how well the Liver is performing
Liver Function Test-3, also known as a Liver Screen, is a group of tests that are performed together to evaluate the health of the liver. These tests typically measure the levels of certain enzymes and proteins in the blood that are associated with liver function.
These tests can be used to detect liver damage, inflammation, or infection, monitor the progression of liver disease, and evaluate the effectiveness of treatment.
Associated Tests:
L0079 Liver Function Test-1 (Maxi)
L0080 Liver Function Test-2 (Mini)
Reasons for Undergoing the Liver Function Test
The liver function test, also known as the LFT test or LFT blood test, is a vital diagnostic tool for assessing liver health and function. It provides important information about liver enzymes, proteins, and overall organ performance. Understanding liver health is crucial, as the liver plays a key role in metabolism, detoxification, and various bodily functions.
There are several reasons to undergo a liver function test:
- Screening for Liver Diseases: This includes conditions like hepatitis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
- Monitoring Medication Side Effects: The liver function test or LFT test helps assess the impact of medications that may impact the liver, such as NSAIDs and statins.
- Assessing Liver Damage: The LFT test is important for individuals at higher risk, such as those with alcohol use disorder, obesity, or diabetes.
- Monitoring Treatment Progress: The liver function test or LFT test, evaluates the effectiveness of treatments for known liver conditions.
- Identifying Underlying Conditions: The LFT test helps detect conditions that may affect the liver, such as autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, or genetic disorders like Wilson’s disease and hemochromatosis.
Investigating Symptoms: The liver function test helps diagnose symptoms related to liver issues, such as nausea, fatigue, jaundice, and abdominal pain. Early detection is essential for effective management.
List of Parameters Considered During the Liver Function Test
The liver function test, or the LFT test, measures several key parameters to evaluate the health and functioning of the liver.
These parameters include:
- Alanine Transaminase (ALT) Test: ALT is an enzyme primarily located in the liver. Elevated ALT levels indicate liver damage, which can occur in conditions such as hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), or liver injury caused due to medications or toxins.
- Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) Test: AST is another enzyme found in the liver and, to a lesser extent, in muscles. High AST levels can indicate liver damage but may be elevated due to muscle injury.
- Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) Test: ALP is an enzyme found in the liver, bile ducts, and bones. Elevated ALP levels can indicate liver or bile duct damage, as well as bone diseases.
- Gamma-Glutamyltransferase (GGT) Test: GGT is an enzyme found in the liver and bile ducts. High GGT levels often indicate liver or bile duct damage and can be used to differentiate between liver and bone as the source of elevated ALP.
- Bilirubin Test: Bilirubin is a waste product formed during the breakdown of red blood cells. The liver removes bilirubin from the blood. High bilirubin levels can cause jaundice and may indicate liver dysfunction or a blockage in the bile ducts.
- Albumin and Total Protein Test: Albumin and total protein are proteins produced by the liver. Low levels of albumin or total protein indicate liver damage or disease, as the liver’s ability to produce these proteins is compromised.
- Prothrombin Time (PT) or International Normalised Ratio (INR) Test: Prothrombin Time measures the time taken for the blood clotting process, while INR offers a standardised interpretation of this measurement. These tests further assess the liver’s ability to produce clotting factors. A prolonged PT or elevated INR may indicate liver damage that affects blood coagulation.
Home Collection for Liver Function Test Near You
SimplyCare provides a convenient home collection service for a Liver Function Test (LFT test), allowing you to prioritise your health while ensuring comfort and safety. A trained phlebotomist will collect blood samples at your preferred time, so you don’t have to visit a diagnostic centre. With a focus on high standards and accurate testing, SimplyCare ensures timely and reliable liver function test or LFT test results, making preventive care and early detection of liver diseases more accessible and hassle-free.
Price : ₹ 650
- As part of routine monitoring if you are hepatitis B or hepatitis C positive
- Suspected drug and alcohol abuse
- Liver Cirrhosis
- Any gallbladder conditions
The most common Liver Function tests are Bilirubin, Albumin, ALT and AST. The doctor will order this test for you if he suspects that you may be suffering from a condition that is affecting your liver. A dark coloured urine or light-coloured stools may indicate damage to the liver cells. If you are suffering from Jaundice, the liver is closely monitored. Nausea, Vomiting, diarrhoea may also warrant a liver function test.
The liver is the organ that removes all toxic substances from your blood. When you take medicines, it is the liver that helps you detoxify the substances. The liver is unique because it can regenerate itself. Even when a part of liver is damaged, it can regenerate itself from healthy cells. Alcohol and abuse of drugs puts a strain on the liver cells and can cause irreversible damage. Hepatitis primarily affects the liver cells. The liver also produces proteins, enzymes, store vitamins, produces blood clotting factors and helps maintain hormones. The liver also produces bile which helps in digesting fats. Liver function tests are used to understand the health of the liver and its optimal functioning.
Liver Function Test-3 (Liver Screen) is done to evaluate the health of the liver and detect any problems. They can be used to:
- Diagnose liver disease: Liver function tests can help diagnose a wide range of liver diseases, such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Elevated levels of certain enzymes or proteins in the blood can indicate liver damage or disease.
- Monitor the progression of liver disease: Once a liver disease has been diagnosed, liver function tests can be used to monitor the progression of the disease and the effectiveness of treatment.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of treatment: Liver function tests can also be used to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment for liver disease. If the levels of certain enzymes or proteins in the blood decrease after treatment, it may indicate that the treatment is working.
- Check for side effects of medication: Certain medications can damage the liver, and liver function tests can be used to monitor the liver function while taking these medications.
- Screening for high-risk groups: Some groups of people have a higher risk of developing liver disease, such as people who consume excessive alcohol, people with obesity, or people with diabetes. liver function test can be done as a screening test to detect any problem early.
- Jaundice (yellowish skin and eyes)
- Abdominal pain and swelling
- Swelling in the legs and ankles
- Dark colour urine
- Pale colour stool
- Chronic fatigue
- Nausea or vomiting
The Liver Function Test-3 (Liver Screen) measures SGOT, SGPT, Bilirubin-total, direct & indirect.
This test requires a blood sample. A tourniquet (elastic) band is placed tightly on the upper arm. The patient is then asked to make a fist. This helps in the build-up of blood filling the veins. The skin is disinfected before needle insertion and the blood sample is collected in vacutainer.
In liver disease, certain liver function test results can be elevated, indicating damage or dysfunction of the liver. Here’s what each test result might indicate:
- Bilirubin: Elevated bilirubin levels can indicate liver damage or blockage in the bile ducts. When the liver is damaged, bilirubin can build up in the blood, causing jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes).
- SGOT, SGPT: Elevated levels of these enzymes in the blood can indicate liver damage or disease.
An abnormal Liver Screen results may be caused by a variety of conditions, and more testing and evaluation may be needed to determine the cause.
A liver function test (LFT test) is a series of blood tests that assess liver health and function by measuring the levels of various enzymes, proteins, and bilirubin in the blood. This comprehensive evaluation helps identify liver diseases, monitor the effectiveness of treatments, and assess any potential liver damage. The liver function test or the LFT test results can provide insights into conditions such as hepatitis, fatty liver disease, and cirrhosis. By detecting abnormalities in liver function, healthcare providers can implement timely interventions and personalised treatment plans to improve patient outcomes. Regular liver function tests are essential for individuals at risk for liver issues, ensuring proactive management of their health.
