LFTs [Liver Function Tests] measure the various chemicals that the liver makes which circulate through the blood stream. When there is a result that comes back as abnormal, it can mean that there is a problem with the liver. The LFTs blood test results may help a medical provider to be able to identify the specific cause of the problem. Further tests may also be necessary for a specific diagnosis.
What Are the LFTs?
There are 6 different tests that compose the complete LFTs blood test. This is because the liver has various functions that all require a different response when the organ detects changes in body chemistry. Here are the tests for which you can expect to see results.
ALT [Alanine Transaminase].
This is an enzyme that can be found in the blood. It’s job is to process proteins to speed up the internal chemical reactions that happen within the blood. When there are high levels of ALT in the blood, it generally means that the liver has either become injured or inflamed for some reason. The most common reason for this test result with be the presence of hepatitis.
AST [Aspartate Aminotransferase].
This is also an enzyme, but it is usually found within the cells of the liver. When the LFTs blood test encounters AST, it typically means the liver has received some sort of injury. AST can also be released if there is damage to the heart or to skeletal muscles, so high results are typically compared to the rest of the LFTs to determine liver functioning.
ALP [Alkaline Phosphatase].
Another enzyme, ASP is usually found around the bones and bile ducts of the liver. Certain diseases of the skeletal system and the liver will create high levels of ALP that are detected on this blood test.
Albumin.
This is the primary protein that the liver makes every day. It circulates through the blood stream often, but certain liver disorders can affect total albumin levels. The LFTs blood test will more often look for low levels of this protein instead of higher than normal amounts in the other components of this test.
Bilirubin.
This is a chemical released by the liver that gives bile its color. When there are high levels of this chemical in the blood, it makes people have skin that is of a particularly yellow tint. Liver cells take bilirubins and attach sugar molecules to them so they pass through the bile ducts. When the flow of bile is blocked for some reason, bilirubin counts go up. Alcohol abuse also causes this problem. Newborns may have slow liver functioning at first and have high counts as well.
Total Protein.
This is a simple complete count test that looks at all of the proteins that are in the blood to determine liver effectiveness.
Although abnormal results on the LFTs blood test can indicate that there is a serious problem with the liver, a definitive diagnosis is not always available by just this one series of tests. Follow-up testing that look at immunology, blood clotting, and other enzyme functioning within the liver may be required to figure out what specifically is going on.
What Happens If There Are High Results?
Treatment options depend on what the LFTs blood test results show. If liver inflammation is the problem and hepatitis is suspected, then medication and treatments will be based on this. For liver damage due to injury or cirrhosis, treatment options are often based on prolonging life and could eventually involve an organ transplant. When bilirubin levels are high and there is no underlying health condition that seems to be causing this result, a medical provider may recommend someone get 30-60 minutes of direct sunlight to break down this chemical in the blood.
The time to speak with a doctor about this blood test is if there are some specific symptoms that are not going away after a few days. Dark urine with light stools, abdominal swelling, a loss of appetite, and generalized weakness or fatigue can all indicate that there are liver problems that need to be looked at through the LFTs blood test. All 6 tests when put together can lead a medical provider toward a potential diagnosis, but further testing is always required.
Only your medical provider can tell you what your specific LFTs results mean for you.
There are generalized assumptions, such as having high ALT levels and hepatitis, but everyone is different. If you have questions about your LFTs blood test results, then be sure to schedule an appointment with your provider right away.