Introduction to Liver Function Test (LFT)

Being the second largest organ, the liver has been known for performing around 500 functions, such as filtering out harmful toxins in the body, producing enzymes, synthesizing protein, and more that contribute to overall wellness. It is an essential organ in the human body without which you cannot live. Therefore, its care and timely Liver Test should be your topmost priority. Most liver diseases cause no noticeable signs, and the damage will be detected only by a series of blood tests. Test for liver diseases helps determine liver condition, distinguish between acute and chronic liver disease, and determine whether the liver is injured or inflamed. You can consider Redcliffe Labs for Liver Function Test.

Liver diseases may affect 1 in 5 Indians. Early detection of liver damage and severe liver diseases can help avert complications and increases your chances of receiving treatment and recovering faster. So, book a test now!

The Liver Test measures liver enzymes, level of bilirubin, and a protein called albumin to find the root cause of damage to your liver. Multiple Liver Profile Tests can be conducted to diagnose specific liver problems.

LFT Test Details in Brief:

Some Common Liver Tests For Liver Diseases Are:

• Liver Function Test: Your liver produces different enzymes, including alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) for a handful of functions in the body. Their balance levels indicate healthy liver functioning, but when elevated, it implies liver injury that can be detected through a blood test. The test measures their levels and determines the fine functioning of your liver.
• Bilirubin Test: A yellowish substance found in bile, your liver produces fluid during the normal process of breaking down red blood cells. Usually, your liver filters Bilirubin, but a damaged liver fails to process it properly, which results in elevated Bilirubin levels that indicate liver damage. Besides measuring bilirubin levels in the blood, a Bilirubin Blood Test checks for overall liver functioning and diagnoses certain medical conditions.
• Prothrombin Time (PT) Test: Produced by the liver, Prothrombin is a crucial protein that helps blood clot. Elevated PT increases your risk of bleeding and indicates liver damage or cirrhosis. A Prothrombin Time (PT) Test, also called PT or Pro Time Test, checks your blood plasma to clot and helps detect liver problems.
• Total Protein Test: Your liver makes the protein in an adequate amount. However, certain reasons affect its production and decrease or increase its levels. Besides measuring the total amount of protein (albumin and globulin) in your bloodstream, the Total Protein Test also diagnoses several liver problems and other health disorders.
• LDH Test (Lactate Dehydrogenase): Found in the liver, Lactate Dehydrogenase is an enzyme that elevates when your liver is damaged. LDH Test, also called Lactate Dehydrogenase Test, helps find the location and severity of the tissue damage in the body and monitor how far a disease has progressed.

Many other liver tests and packages are used to check liver functioning and signs of inflammation or damage and diagnose liver diseases, depending on your condition. With us, you can book LFT Test at a reasonable LFT Test Price.

Symptoms That Your Liver Is Not In Good Health:

Being an important organ in the human body, our liver gives us so many signals that something is interrupting its functioning, and it needs help. These signs can be different for everyone, but some common symptoms that most people with liver diseases may experience are:

• Jaundice: Unusual yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes could be a sign that something might not be good with your liver, and you need to get yourself tested at the earliest to detect the cause and take the treatment.
• Abdominal Pain & Swelling: Individuals with liver problems often experience intense pain, discomfort, and sometimes swelling in the abdomen.
• Nausea And Vomiting: The liver produces bile juices that help digest the food. And when your liver is not healthy or performing well, the function gets disrupted, which makes you feel sick. The feeling of sickness with nausea and vomiting is a sign that your liver health is might not well.
• Unexplained Exhaustion: Individuals with liver diseases often experience unusual fatigue or weakness throughout the day, even after enough sleep or rest.
• Itchy Skin: Whenever liver problems develop, it may start causing itchiness in the skin due to the buildup of toxins in the body.
• Pale Stool: The change in stool color could result from poor dietary choice, infection, or other underlying medical conditions. Hence, getting yourself screened is significant to sail over complications.
• Easy Bruising: Liver problems can often affect blood clotting, leading to easy clotting & bleeding. Therefore, if you are experiencing easy bruising or clotting, it could be a sign of a liver disease that should be tested.

Not everyone with liver disease may experience symptoms, especially in their early stage. Therefore, a regular Liver Function Test is recommended for one and all, whether they have symptoms or not. It assesses liver functioning, diagnoses the disease, and rules out the risks. The test is essential, especially at higher stakes, such as for people who drink a lot, have a family history of liver disease or hepatitis, or have had liver disease before.

Diagnosing liver problems early increases your chances of getting the treatment, reduces chances of developing complications, and helps you recover faster. So, without giving it a second thought, book a periodic LFT Test.

Benefits Of Taking the LFT Test:

The LFT Test is very much usual and benefits you in multiple ways. It serves many purposes:

• Diagnose Liver Disease: Liver Function Blood Test gives an insight into your liver health and helps identify problems like hepatitis, cirrhosis, and fatty liver disease, which may cause similar symptoms but requires different treatments to recover.
• Monitor Liver Function: Besides diagnosing liver problems, LFTs also monitor overall liver functioning. Monitoring helps people with liver disease or taking medication, as it helps screen whether the treatment works fine or requires adjustments.
• Assess Your Risks: Moreover, Liver Function Tests help determine if someone is at risk of developing liver diseases. Apart from assessing your chances, this test also checks the severity of the liver damage to help the doctor plan and prescribe appropriate treatment.
• Recognize Liver Cancer: Liver Function Tests also help identify the cancer cells that are developing or start spreading into the body. It identifies liver cancer so the appropriate treatment can be initiated in time.

Liver Function Tests are crucial for diagnosing liver diseases and monitoring liver functioning and help healthcare providers ensure that patients receive appropriate liver care and treatment. So, book a Liver Function Test today.

What factor does the LFT Test cover?

• Assesses albumin and total protein, indicating blood clotting and nutrition.
• It may signal liver, bone, or bile duct issues.
• Identifies problems with bile flow and digestion.
• Measures PT and INR, evaluating clotting ability.
• Detects hepatitis B and C.
• Indicates alcohol-related liver issues.
• Suggests fatty liver, cirrhosis, or autoimmune conditions.

Liver Function Test Process:

Confused about what happens during a liver function test? It includes a few simple steps, like

• A phlebotomist will tie a band around your arm to make the vein visible.
• A professional will then disinfect the blood-drawn site to prevent infection.
• Then, they use a small needle to draw a blood sample and transfer it to a test tube.
• After collecting the sample, a phlebotomist will cover the punctured site with a cotton ball or apply a bandage to prevent bleeding.

The procedure is hassle-free and takes five to ten minutes to complete. However, you may feel a slight pain or bruise, which will also fade away in some time.

Liver Function Test (LFT) Preparations:

Your healthcare provider may share all the instructions to be prepared for the liver function tests. A few simple things that everyone must keep in mind are:

• The test requires no fasting, which means you can eat or drink normally before the test.
• Certain medications or special diets might affect enzymes and proteins in the blood, which can influence your test results. Hence, you need to discuss it with your healthcare provider if you need to avoid any of it. Also, do not stop or take any medicine without following their advice.
• Avoid drinking the night before the test, as it can interfere with the results.
• Sleep well to keep your mind and body enzymes balanced.
• Moreover, avoid smoking before the test to prevent disparities in the test results.

If you still have some queries, discuss them with your healthcare provider before the examination.

Liver Function Test Normal Range:

Interpretation of LFT test reports

Interpreting liver function test (LFT) results is based on assessing the health of the liver. LFTs include several components, and the results can vary based on individual factors. Here's a general guide on how to interpret LFT test reports:

• Total Bilirubin: Bilirubin is a waste product produced when red blood cells break down. High levels indicate liver disease or problems with the bile ducts.
• Direct Bilirubin: High direct bilirubin can suggest a blockage in the bile ducts or issues with the liver's ability to process bilirubin.
• Indirect Bilirubin: High indirect bilirubin levels may indicate an issue with red blood cell breakdown or hemolysis.
• Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP): Increased ALP levels may suggest liver or bone problems, but it's often associated with conditions affecting the bile ducts.
• Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST): AST is an enzyme found in the liver and other organs. High Levels can indicate liver damage, but it's not specific to the liver.
• Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT): ALT is another liver enzyme. High ALT levels can be a sign of liver damage or disease.
• Albumin: Albumin is a protein produced by the liver. Low levels may indicate liver disease or malnutrition.
• Total Protein: Total protein measures the amount of proteins in the blood, including albumin and globulins. It can help assess liver and kidney function.
• Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT): High GGT levels may indicate liver or bile duct problems. It is often used to assess the cause of elevated ALP.

Abnormal LFT results do not provide a definitive diagnosis but signal the need for further evaluation. Your healthcare provider will use the LFT results with other tests and information to diagnose and treat underlying liver or bile duct issues.

What are the risk factors for liver disease?

Several factors and conditions can increase the risk of liver disease. These include:

• Alcohol Consumption: Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to alcoholic liver disease, including alcoholic fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, and cirrhosis.
• Hepatitis Infections: Chronic infections with hepatitis B, C, and D viruses are significant risk factors for liver disease and can lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer.
• Obesity: Being overweight or obese increases the risk of liver disease.
• Type 2 Diabetes: Diabetes is a risk factor for liver disease and can lead to liver complications.
• Genetic Factors: Certain genetic conditions, such as hemochromatosis, Wilson's disease, and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, can predispose individuals to liver diseases.
• Drug and Medication Use: Some medications, such as acetaminophen (overdose) and certain prescription drugs, can cause liver damage.
• Unhealthy Diet: A diet high in saturated fats, sugars, and processed foods can contribute to NAFLD and obesity.
• Certain Heart Conditions: Heart failure can lead to liver congestion and damage.
• Older Age: The risk of liver disease, especially cirrhosis, increases.
• Family History: A family history of liver disease may increase the risk.

With lifestyle modifications, vaccination for hepatitis, early detection, and medical management, the risk of liver disease can be mitigated. Regular medical check-ups and consulting with healthcare providers can help people identify and address liver-related issues in their early stages.

Why do doctors recommend the LFT Test?

Doctors recommend Liver Function Tests (LFTs) for several reasons:

• Diagnosis and Monitoring: The LFT test helps diagnose various liver conditions and monitor the progression of liver diseases.
• Screening: The test can be part of routine health check-ups to identify potential liver problems early.
• Symptoms: If you are experiencing any symptoms like jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, or unexplained weight loss, LFT tests help determine if the liver is the source of the problem.
• Medication Monitoring: For patients taking medications known to affect the liver, LFTs can monitor liver health and guide medication management.
• Alcohol and Substance Use: LFTs are useful in assessing liver damage caused by excessive alcohol consumption or substance abuse.
• Liver Cirrhosis: To detect and monitor cirrhosis, late-stage liver scarring.
• Fatty Liver Disease: LFTs are used to identify and monitor non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
• Metabolic Disorders: LFTs can be part of the evaluation for metabolic disorders that affect the liver, such as Wilson's disease and hemochromatosis.

Regular Health Check-ups: In some cases, the LFT test is included in routine health check-ups for people at risk of liver disease.

Liver Function Test Price – Affordable For All!

LFT Test Price is not so high with Redcliffe Labs and it is Rs 399. Anyone looking for quality diagnostic services can obtain them at affordable rates possible. We keep prices to the nominal possible so everyone can have the best diagnostic experience.

Health Complications Of Avoiding Liver Tests:

LFT Blood Test is vital to understand liver conditions early because undiagnosed or untreated liver diseases can lead to serious complications and health concerns.

• Cirrhosis: Being a late-stage liver disease, Cirrhosis is a condition that scars and permanently damages the liver. As the disease progresses, it even leads to liver failure. Therefore, diagnosing the condition early or using an LFT Blood Test is essential to avoid complications.
• Acute Liver Failure: If liver diseases are left untreated in the initial stage, it can lead to loss of liver functions, which increases severe health complications. Also called fulminant hepatic failure, acute liver failure is a medical concern requiring immediate hospitalization. In most cases, if diagnosed early, it can be reversed with the treatment, and if the disease turns chronic, it can only be cured with a liver transplant.
• Liver Cancer: If chronic liver conditions are left unaddressed, it can lead to liver cancers like hepatocellular carcinoma, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, and hepatoblastoma. Addressing and managing the disease in time is essential to prevent severities and initiate timely treatment.

You need to screen your liver in time to understand LFT Test Normal Range and find abnormalities (if any). You can book a test with us at a competitive Liver Test Price.

Prioritize Liver Health & Liver Tests!

Avoiding liver tests today can be problematic for your health tomorrow. So, do not ignore it, especially if you are at risk of being affected by liver diseases. Book Liver Function Blood Test at an affordable Liver Function Test Price with Redcliffe Labs to detect early signs and avert complications. Take some time and get diagnosed to avoid complexities. Your LFT normal or abnormal values can be identified with the test that helps the doctor alter your diet and routine accordingly.

Different Packages for Liver Tests @ Redcliffe Labs (Add Test Cards)

• Liver Function Extended Panel
• Liver Function Test (LFT)
• Liver Kidney Function Profile

LFT Test Sample Report - Redcliffe Labs