Liver function tests are used to determine your blood’s levels of some enzymes and proteins. From higher or lower levels, it may indicate problems with the liver. The shape and extent of the rise of these tests and the general state of the medical picture can throw some hints as to the nature of the problem.

What is an LFT Test?

Liver Function Test or Hepatic Function Test is a group of blood tests that check how well your liver works. Tests will confirm the level of various enzymes, proteins, and chemicals that your liver releases or loses.
The LFT test meaning is simple, it detects inflammation, liver damage, infection, or other liver abnormalities that make it not work like it should. The more official-sounding name of LFT, Liver Function Test, is no less simple in its purpose: to test if the liver performs normal processes like cleansing the blood, secreting bile, and processing nutrients.

Why Is the LFT Test Done?

LFT is a routine liver disease diagnostic test and evaluation of current therapy for diagnosis of liver disease. Your doctor orders this test if the patient is exhibiting some of these conditions including problems such as weakness, dark urine, pale bowel movements or yellow-colored skin or eyes (jaundice), or if the patient is experiencing right upper abdominal discomfort, possible symptoms of liver failure.

Causes of abnormal LFT can be some of the following:
  • Hepatitis A, B, or C
  • Fatty liver disease
  • Cirrhosis
  • Liver cancer
  • Alcoholic liver disease
  • Drug side effects
  • Bile duct obstruction
It is also employed in assessment of improvement or remission of established liver disease, and therefore it is part of any comprehensive liver check-up.

Preparation for an LFT Test

Liver test preparation is often not complicated, but adherence to procedures yields precision in the results of the test. You may be asked to fast (no food or beverage) for 8–12 hours before your test, especially in cases when there is a complete metabolic Liver function panel and the LFT simultaneously obtained.
This is how you need to prepare:

  • Fasting: Fasting may be necessary for certain LFTs so that a valid Bilirubin levels and enzyme level can be obtained.
  • Medication disclosure: Inform your doctor of any medications, supplements, or herbal products you’re taking, as some can affect liver enzymes.
  • Avoid alcohol: Alcohol consumption before the test can skew ALT and AST levels and should be avoided for at least 24 hours.
Wear something with easy access to your arm since the test is a straightforward blood draw.

LFT Test Procedure

Your LFT blood test result is a very small amount of your blood, taken most often from a vein in your arm. It only takes a few minutes and is hardly invasive.
Here's what they do:

  • A nurse or lab technician will clean your arm with a disinfectant and insert a needle into a vein.
  • Blood is drawn in blood tubes and taken to a laboratory for testing.
  • There is no recovery time; you can resume normal activities immediately.
The test takes several key indicators:

  • Alanine transaminase (ALT)
  • Aspartate transaminase (AST)
  • Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
  • Albumin and total protein
  • Levels of bilirubin
  • Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT)
  • Prothrombin time (PT)
These test results provide you with a complete panel of liver function so that you can see in great detail how your liver is performing.


What to Look Out for After the LFT Test?

Because this is a normal blood test, you will not have any undesirable side effects. Some minor issues can be bruising, soreness, or swelling where the needle was put in. These will resolve in one to two days.
No post-test treatment is necessary unless otherwise instructed. You may also return to work, exercise, or food consumption shortly following the test. If your LFT is a part of a comprehensive workup, your physician will order repeat tests depending on the results.

Understanding LFT Test Results

After completing your testing, your tests will have the readings of the primary liver enzymes and proteins. This will make your LFT blood test report more understandable, with knowledge of normal and not normal.
Below is a description of important indicators including SGPT and SGOT:

  • ALT (SGPT): Normal 7–56 units/L. High results show that there is injury to liver cells.
  • AST (SGOT): Normal 10–40 units/L. High results can show liver disease, heart disease, or muscular disease.
  • ALP: Usually 44–147 IU/L. Hyperalbuminemia is a possible indicator of bone disorder or bile duct obstruction.
  • Bilirubin: Normal total bilirubin is 0.1–1.2 mg/dL. Hyperbilirubinemia causes jaundice.
  • Albumin: Normal is 3.5–5.0 g/dL. Hypoalbuminemia is a marker of liver disease or malnutrition.
In real life, the LFT test normal range may be a little different from lab to lab, so ask your individual results explained by speaking with your doctor. Hyperalbuminemia is a possible sign of bone disorder or bile duct obstruction.
If your reading is beyond the usually acceptable range, your physician will prescribe other tests like liver ultrasound, biopsy, or imaging in an effort to reach an appropriate diagnosis.

Diseases Identified by LFT

LFT is the gateway to the diagnosis of many system and Liver disease diagnosis. Some serious conditions diagnosed using this test are as follows:

  • Hepatitis (viral or autoimmune): Raised ALT and AST are extremely sensitive indicators.
  • Cirrhosis: End point of liver damage with fibrosis as evidenced by deranged enzyme and protein profile.
  • Fatty liver disease: Detected by deranged LFT and confirmed on imaging.
  • Liver tumors or cancer: Tumors may be hinted at by LFT, but imaging needs to be done to confirm.
  • Acute disease of the liver like alcoholic liver disease: Expressed by elevated GGT and elevated ALT/AST ratio.
  • Obstruction of bile or gallstone: Implicated by elevated ALP and bilirubin.
Detection at an early stage by LFT leads to early treatment, hence conditions are easily managed.

LFT Test and RFT Test: The Key Differences Outlined

RFT (Renal Function Test) and LFT (Liver Function Test) are routine blood tests, which test other organs however. These liver function tests test the health of the liver by testing enzymes (ALT, AST, and bilirubin) to test if there is liver damage, inflammation or the liver is diseased. RFT tests for the functions of the kidney with measures of the levels of creatinine, urea, and BUN to establish failure of kidney or inefficient filtering.

Doctors can prescribe both of the tests simultaneously to establish an overall picture of what is occurring within a patient, especially in chronic disease, chronic drug abuse, or unexplained symptoms. While the procedures are identical, the results indicate two different but necessary body systems.

LFT Test Cost in Pakistan

The LFT test price in Pakistan differs lab, city and whether you are taking full liver panel or routine enzyme tests. On average it will cost between PKR 800 to PKR 2,500.

Some of the finest diagnostic labs are a little expensive if they also consist of some extra reports or consultancy. Choose a certified lab to get correct results every time. Discount on liver health checkup is available in all hospital chains as well as diagnostic clinics when done along with other blood tests.

Book lab tests from the best-certified labs in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and all major cities of Pakistan through InstaCare, and get a discount of up to 35%. For assistance, call our helpline at 03171777509 to find the right lab test for your health needs.