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What Is a Liver Function Test (LFT)?
LFT is a set of blood tests that measure the level of enzymes and proteins in your blood. These tests can check for and diagnose liver damage or disease. They may also give a clue to the cause of your liver problem. If you have liver disease, LFT can determine the progression of your disease.
Common LFTs include:
- Bilirubin (waste product of liver)
- Albumin (protein made in liver)
- Aminotransferases (enzymes found in liver)
- Gamma-glutamyl transferase (enzyme found in liver)
How Is LFT Used for Diagnosis of Liver Problems?
LFT is used with other tests to diagnose the liver problem. It can also serve as an early warning system if you have liver problems as symptoms usually do not appear in the early stages.
What Will Your Doctor Do If You Have Abnormal LFT?
Your doctor may order more tests to identify the cause of your liver problem, if necessary. In general, the tests can be a more specific blood test or a liver imaging test. This is to understand your liver problem fully and consider other factors including:
- Severity of physical symptoms
- Duration of illness
- Age
- Lifestyle Medications
What Can Cause Your LFT to be Abnormal?
Your LFT can be abnormal due to:
- Blockage in liver drainage system (e.g. gallstone, tumour)
- Swelling in liver (e.g. tumour, abscess)
- Underlying condition that affects production and storage abilities of liver (e.g. Gilbert’s syndrome, Wilson’s disease)
- Swelling or damage to liver from causes such as :
Infection of hepatitis A & B virus
Toxic substances (e.g. alcohol, painkiller, poison)
Excessive build-up of fats in liver
Attack of liver cells by your antibodies
What Is A Liver Imaging Test?
A liver imaging test allows your doctor to look at and take pictures of your liver, especially if there are gallstones or growth in the liver.
Liver imaging tests include:
- Ultrasound Imaging Test: A safe procedure that uses ultrasound waves to form an image of your liver. No radiation is involved.
- CT scan: This test uses X-ray to form pictures of your liver. You might be exposed to radiation, but risk is usually low.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): MRI uses magnetic fields to form images of your liver. No radiation is involved.
