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What are liver function tests?

Liver function tests, also known as liver chemistries, help determine the health of your liver by measuring the levels of proteins, liver enzymes, and bilirubin in your blood.

A liver function test is often recommended in the following situations:

to check for damage from liver infections, such as hepatitis B and hepatitis C
to monitor the side effects of certain medications known to affect the liver
if you already have a liver disease, to monitor the disease and how well a particular treatment is working
if you’re experiencing the symptoms of a liver disorder
if you have certain medical conditions such as high triglycerides, diabetes, high blood pressure, or anemia
if you drink alcohol heavily
if you have gallbladder disease

Many tests can be performed on the liver. Certain tests can reflect different aspects of liver function.

Commonly used tests to check liver abnormalities are tests checking:

alanine transaminase (ALT)
aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
albumin
bilirubin

The ALT and AST tests measure enzymes that your liver releases in response to damage or disease. The albumin test measures how well the liver creates albumin, while the bilirubin test measures how well it disposes of bilirubin. ALP can be used to evaluate the bile duct system of the liver.

Having abnormal results on any of these liver tests typically requires follow up to determine the cause of the abnormalities. Even mildly elevated results can be associated with liver disease. However, these enzymes can also be found in other places besides the liver.

Talk to your doctor about the results of your liver function test and what they may mean for you.

What are the most common liver function tests?

Liver function tests are used to measure specific enzymes and proteins in your blood.

Depending on the test, either higher- or lower-than-normal levels of these enzymes or proteins can indicate a problem with your liver.

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