Liver Function Test - Routine (LFT)

Who should get tested for Liver Function Test (LFT) ?

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.

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
• abnormal bruising or bleeding

Your doctor may order a liver function test if you’re experiencing symptoms of a liver disorder. The different liver function tests can also monitor the progression or treatment of a disease and test for the side effects of certain medications.

Why should you get tested for Liver Function Test (LFT) ?

Liver function tests can help determine if your liver is working correctly. The liver performs a number of vital bodily functions, such as:

• removing contaminants from your blood
• converting nutrients from the foods you eat
• storing minerals and vitamins
• regulating blood clotting
• producing cholesterol, proteins, enzymes, and bile
• making factors that fight infection
• removing bacteria from your blood
• processing substances that could harm your body
• maintaining hormone balances
• regulating blood sugar levels

Problems with the liver can make a person very sick and can even be life-threatening.

What are the problems you can prevent by having tested for Liver Function Tests (LFT) ?

Liver Function Test results helps to identify early any alteration in the liver functioning, at a stage when if proper precautions are taken serious and irreversible damage to liver can be prevented. 

Timely checking of LFT helps to detect the following problems: 

• 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

​Once these conditions are diagnosed, your doctor can take appropriate steps to cure the condition or to prevent further damage to liver. 

When should you get tested for Liver Function Test ?

Your doctor may order a liver function test if you’re experiencing symptoms of a liver disorder. The different liver function tests can also monitor the progression or treatment of a disease and test for the side effects of certain medications.

LFT - Liver Function Test can be helpful in case you are suffering from any of the following symptoms: 

• 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
• abnormal bruising or bleeding