Your liver is one of the hardest-working organs in your body, performing over 500 essential functions including filtering blood, producing bile for digestion, and processing medications.
What Liver Function Tests Measure
A liver function test (LFT) measures several enzymes and proteins in your blood:
ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase) - An enzyme found mainly in the liver. Elevated levels may indicate liver damage.
AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase) - Found in the liver and other organs. High levels can suggest liver problems.
ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) - Elevated levels may indicate bile duct problems or bone disease.
GGT (Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase) - Often elevated with liver disease or bile duct problems.
Bilirubin - A yellow pigment produced when red blood cells break down. High levels can cause jaundice.
Albumin - A protein made by the liver. Low levels may indicate liver disease.
Causes of Abnormal Results
Elevated liver enzymes can be caused by various factors:
Who Should Get Tested?
Liver function tests may be recommended if you:
At Private Blood Tests London, liver function tests are available as a standalone test or as part of our comprehensive health screening packages.
Learn about [decoding your liver function tests](/blog/decoding-your-liver-function-tests-lfts), [liver health and what blood tests reveal](/blog/liver-health-matters-what-blood-tests-can-reveal-about-this-vital-organ), and explore our [liver function test services](/liver-function-test).