What are liver function tests?
Liver function tests (LFTs) are a collection of blood parameters to assess for varying degrees of liver damage or abnormalities of liver function.
When would you need LFTs?
LFTs may be performed as screening test to exclude a liver problem as the cause of symptoms, including:
- Abdominal pain
- Jaundice (skin turning yellow)
- Tiredness
LFTs may help to diagnose conditions such as:
- Biliary colic (gallstones)
- Cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation)
- Hepatitis (liver inflammation)
- Liver cell damage related to a number of toxic substances, including alcohol and many drugs (paracetamol included)
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How is are LFTs performed?
LFTs require a sample of a few millilitres of blood.
Related specialists
- General Practitioner (GP)
- Emergency Physician
- General Physician
- General Surgeon
- Hepatologist
- Gastroenterologist
- Clinical Toxicologist
Related procedures
- Cholecystectomy
- Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
Related tests
- Bilirubin
- Alanine Aminotranferase (ALT)
- Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP, Alk Phos)
- Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (Gamma GT, GGT)
- Albumin
- Total Protein (TP)
Also known as
- LFTs
- LFs
- Liver function tests
Links
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This article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. If in doubt, HealthEngine recommends consulting with a registered health practitioner.
All content and media on the HealthEngine Blog is created and published online for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard the advice of a medical professional, or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the nearest hospital emergency department, or call the emergency services immediately.
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