Liver Function Tests: Normal Range Values, Cost in India
Medically Reviewed By
Dr Divya Rohra
Written By Prekshi Garg
on Feb 15, 2022
Last Edit Made By Prekshi Garg
on Jan 9, 2025
LFT or liver function tests in medical language is a set of laboratory tests that are conducted to diagnose the presence of any liver disease and plan the treatment accordingly. It is a blood test that evaluates the function of the liver by measuring the levels of different parameters like bilirubin, proteins, and liver enzymes in the blood. In this article, have a look at the liver function test in detail, along with its cost and the normal range of all the parameters evaluated in the test.
When are the liver function tests done?
Since the liver is involved in the metabolism of protein, carbohydrates, and fats, there are a lot of possible reasons due to which you can be recommended for a liver function test. These reasons include:
- Diagnosis of the liver diseases like hepatitis.
- Monitoring the effect of a certain ongoing treatment on the liver.
- Evaluate the damage caused to the liver due to conditions like cirrhosis.
- Analyse the side effects of certain medicines.
- Having symptoms like nausea, jaundice, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, fatigue, light-colored stool, or dark-colored urine.
- Have a family history of liver disease.
- Suffering from alcohol use disorder, that is, you lose your control over how much you drink.
- Exposure to hepatitis virus.
What is the Purpose of Liver Function Tests?
Liver function tests are blood tests that help identify any underlying liver disease, infection, or damage.
This is the primary role of liver function tests. However, the test can also help in measuring the proper functioning of the liver.
The result can be normal or irregular, indicating that your liver has produced an enzyme to fight damage or disease. However, values other than the LFT blood test normal don’t always mean you have liver disease.
What are liver function tests Used For?
Liver function tests, along with detecting liver damage or disease, are used for several other reasons.
- LFT screens for hepatitis (liver infection).
- LFT tests look for serious diseases such as hepatitis and look at treatment functioning.
- LFT normal values indicate there is no sign of cirrhosis, which is a serious health issue.
The normal range of liver function tests depends on the type of test your doctor has recommended, as each test is unique.
What Can Liver Function Tests Diagnose?
Liver function tests are a comprehensive liver panel that helps diagnose liver diseases. Your doctor may also use liver function tests to diagnose many serious health issues through this imaging test. They can use liver function tests to diagnose:
- Autoimmune Hepatitis
- Viral Hepatitis (A, B, or C)
- Wilson’s Disease
- Cirrhosis
- Liver Cancer
- Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC)
- Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
- Toxic Hepatitis
- Fatty Liver Disease
List of Liver Function Tests
There are many types of LFT tests. Here is the list of liver function tests.
Alanine Transaminase (ALT)
ALT is an enzyme in the liver that converts protein into energy for the cells to perform. This liver function test is performed when the liver is damaged. Doctors also call this test serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase or SGPT.
Causes of high ALT/SGPT-
- Hepatitis
- Autoimmune
- Toxic hepatitis
- Neonatal hepatitis
Aspartate Transaminase (AST)
AST is an enzyme that helps the body break down amino acids. It is present in low levels in the blood and increases during liver damage, disease, infection, or muscle damage. Doctors sometimes call it SGOT.
Causes of AST/SGOT-
- Hepatitis
- Autoimmune
- Toxic Hepatitis
- Neonatal Hepatitis
Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
ALP is an important enzyme in the liver and bone that breaks down proteins. Normal LFT values display normal functioning and no underlying disease or damage; however, a higher-than-normal value indicates signs of liver disease, blocked bile duct, or bone disease.
Causes of ALP-
- Extrahepatic Biliary Atresia
- Biliary Artesia
- Intra hepatitis Biliary Atresia
- Infiltrating Disorders
- Granulomatous Hepatitis
Total Protein
Albumin and globulin are proteins in your liver that fight against foreign substances like bacterial or viral infection. Any other value that LFT normal values means liver damage, kidney damage, and gastrointestinal condition.
An irregular level of total protein LFT in the normal range indicates the need for testing. However, your doctor might also recommend the LFT blood test for:
- Regular check-up
- To locate the cause of unexplained weight loss
- To find the reason for extreme fatigue or tiredness
- To understand the cause of liver or kidney disease
Bilirubin
Red blood cells break down and produce bilirubin, a type of LFT. The liver filters this type of LFT and eliminates it from the stool. Any result outside the normal range of liver function tests indicates anemia or blocked liver ducts, which can lead to high bilirubin levels.
Cause of irregular Bilirubin Normal Values
- Liver disease
- Inherited hyperbilirubinemia
- Physiological clearance jaundice
- Extrahepatic biliary atresia
- Intrahepatic biliary atresia
- Drug-induced liver impairment
- Viral hepatitis
- Inherited hyperbilirubinemia
3 Other Tests of Liver Function Tests
- Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT)
- L-lactate Dehydrogenase (LD)
- Prothrombin Time (PT)
These three enzymes specify whether you are at risk of liver damage or disease. A high level of each shows a serious health issue; it is better to seek medical consultation.
These liver function tests normal values depend on various factors like
- Test
- Laboratories
- Your Health
- Family History
- Past Infection
Early detection, monitoring, and diagnosis help improve outcomes for liver disease. If you see any signs, take liver function tests from a renowned diagnostic laboratory like Redcliffe Labs.
Redcliffe Labs is India’s leading diagnostic laboratory, providing diagnostic tests at an affordable cost with a home sample collection service. They offer liver function tests at an affordable price of INR 399, which checks for your liver health and helps diagnose liver disease.
What is the cost of liver function tests in India?
The liver function test is a simple blood test that costs approximately Rs 370/- at Redcliffe labs across India.
What is the normal range for the liver function tests?
Since liver function tests are a set of blood tests, therefore the normal value is different for different parameters evaluated in the test. The normal range for each parameter of the liver function test is:
- Serum Bilirubin: The optimum range for total serum bilirubin is 2 μmol/L to 21 μmol/L. The level of unconjugated bilirubin is less than 12 μmol/L and the level of conjugated bilirubin is less than 8 μmol/L.
- Alanine aminotransferase (ALT): The normal range for serum ALT lies within 7 U/L to 56 U/L.
- Aspartate aminotransferase (AST): The optimum range for normal serum AST lies between 0 U/L to 35 U/L.
- Alkaline phosphatase (ALP): The optimum range for normal serum ALP lies within 41 U/L to 133 U/L.
- Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT): The optimum level of GGT is 9 U/L to 85 U/L.
- 5’ nucleotidase (NTP): The normal range for NTP is around 0 U/L to 15 U/L.
- Ceruloplasmin: The normal plasma level of ceruloplasmin is 200 mg/L to 600 mg/L.
- α-fetoprotein (AFP): The optimum level of AFP is 0 μg/L to 15 μg/L.
Here is a detailed table showcasing the LFT blood test's normal values.
| Parameter | Normal Value |
| Total Bilirubin | 0.2 to 1.2 mg/dL |
| Direct Bilirubin | 0.0 to 0.3 mg/dL |
| Indirect Bilirubin | 0.2 to 0.7 mg/dL |
| ALT/ SGPT | 5 to 40 IU/L |
| AST/ SGOT | 5 to 40 IU/L |
| AST/ ALT Ratio | <1 |
| Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) | 70 to 110 IU/L |
| Total Protein | 6.4 to 8.3 mg/dL |
| Serum Albumin | 3.5 to 5.2 mg/dL |
| Serum Globulin | 2.0 to 3.5 mg/dL |
| Albumin/ Globulin (A/G) Ratio | 1 to 2 |
Takeaway
The liver function test is an important parameter to assess the condition of the liver. The test covers various parameters of the liver to evaluate its diseased state and the cause of disease accurately. The test helps doctors decide the treatment pattern that will benefit you in the best possible way. So, if you are advised for a liver function test, you must surely go for it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- How can I book a liver function test (LFT)?
At Redcliffe Labs, the liver function test can be easily booked from the comfort of your home. You can book your test by either calling our centre or by booking it online through our official website. A phlebotomist from Redcliffe labs will soon reach your place to collect your sample for testing.
- How is the liver function test done?
The liver function test is a simple blood test. The blood sample is collected from your arms through a needle and then screened for different parameters in the laboratory.
- Are there any risks associated with a liver function test?
No, since the liver function test is just like a normal blood test, it does not have any serious side effects associated with it.
- How can I improve my liver function?
There are some simple tips that you can follow to keep your liver healthy:
- Regular exercise
- Balanced diet
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Stay hygienic
- Avoid consuming illicit drugs
- Follow directions when consuming any medicine
