A blood test known as a liver function test (LFT), sometimes known as a hepatic function panel, gauges the amount of enzymes and proteins your liver excretes.
While some of these tests assess how well the liver carries out its routine tasks, others assess the enzymes that liver cells release when they are harmed or ill.
LFTs aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of liver illness or injury. A person’s liver is not operating at its best if the levels are either higher or lower than the normal range.
A doctor orders a liver function test to determine whether the liver has been damaged or is inflamed. LFTs aid in:
Check for liver inflammation or infection, such as hepatitis (infectious or alcoholic)
help with the detection of further problems, like gallstones
Analyze the severity and progression of liver disease, as well as the effectiveness of treatment
If you take prescription or over-the-counter medications that may impair liver function, keep an eye on side effects.
weakness or exhaustion
reduced appetite
stomach ache or swelling
Jaundice
passing light-colored or dark-colored stool
having liver illness in the family
having diabetes or hypertension while overweight
Your blood will be drawn in a hospital or a diagnostic centre. To administer the test:
A nurse or a para-medical staff will first clean your skin before the test at the injection site to minimise the possibility of infection due to any microorganisms on the skin
An elastic strap is wrapped on the arm, which will help in making your veins visible. Then, a needle is used to draw blood samples from your arm.
Some gauze and a bandage is placed over the puncture site after drawing the blood. Then, the blood sample is sent to a laboratory for testing.
There is no specific condition when this test should be avoided. Inform your doctor about any medications, prescription or over-the-counter medications, including herbal supplements, that may affect the liver function test results.
