27/09/2022
Liver function tests
Liver function tests, also referred to as a hepatic panel, are groups of blood tests that provide information about the state of a patient's liver. A liver function test is often recommended in the following situations:
Symptoms of a liver disorder include:
weakness
fatigue or loss of energy
weight loss
jaundice (yellow skin and eyes)
fluid collection in the abdomen, known as ascites
discolored bodily discharge (dark urine or light stools)
nausea
vomiting
diarrhea
abdominal pain
atypical bruising or bleeding
Liver function tests can also monitor the progression or treatment of a disease and test for the side effects of certain medications.
to check for damage from liver infections, such as hepatitis B and hepatitis C, especially if it’s suspected you were exposed to a virus that causes hepatitis
to monitor the side effects of certain medications because some medications are known to affect the liver, including:
NSAIDsTrusted Source
statins
antibiotics
antiseizure medications
tuberculosis drugs
if you already have liver disease, to monitor the disease and how well a particular treatment is working
if you’re experiencing the symptoms of a liver disorder or have a family history of a liver disease, such as fatty liver disease
if you have certain medical conditions, such as:
high triglycerides
diabetes
high blood pressure
anemia
if you drink alcohol frequently
if you have gallbladder disease
Certain tests can reflect different aspects of liver function. For example, elevated alanine transaminaseTrusted Source and aspartate transaminase disproportional to bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase levels often indicates liver disease.
What are the different types of liver function tests?
Liver function tests are used to measure specific enzymes and proteins in your blood.
Having atypical results on any of these liver tests usually requires a follow-up to determine the cause of the atypical characteristics. Even mildly elevated results can be associated with liver disease.
