About LFT (Liver Function Test)
Liver Function Test (LFT) is a series of blood tests which can help in checking liver function or working. Liver is a large organ situated in the abdomen or stomach which has many different functions. Liver is responsible for filtering toxic chemicals, storing vitamins and minerals, processing medicines and alcohol and making bile, proteins, and enzymes among other functions. Liver Function Tests (LFT) are blood tests that can help find the cause of symptoms that indicate liver diseases or liver damage, it can also help monitor liver health. LFT measures the levels of certain proteins and enzymes in blood.
Some LFT tests measure liver performance and to measure how well the liver can perform regular functions of producing protein and clearing bilirubin which is a blood waste product. Other tests measure enzymes that liver cells release in response to a damage or disease.
The most common liver function tests measure:
- Total protein: This test helps in measuring the total amount of protein in blood, which includes albumin and globulins. These proteins are made by the liver.
- Albumin: This is a protein made in the liver.
- ALP (alkaline phosphatase), ALT (alanine transaminase), AST (aspartate aminotransferase), and GGT (gamma-glutamyl transferase). These are enzymes that are mainly made in your liver. Enzymes are proteins that speed up certain chemical reactions in your body.
- Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), an enzyme found in most of the tissues in your body, but some of the largest amounts are found in your liver.
- Bilirubin, a waste product your body makes when it breaks down old red blood cells. Your liver removes most of the bilirubin from your body.
- Prothrombin time (PT), how long it takes your blood to clot. Prothrombin is a protein involved in blood clotting. It's made in your liver.
Liver Function Test (LFT) can be used to conclude the following:
- Find out if liver disease or damage could be causing certain symptoms.
- Learn how serious liver disease is after it has been diagnosed.
- Monitor liver disease over time and/or find out how well treatment is working.
- Check for side effects of certain medicines that can affect the liver.
Liver function test (LFT) is also requested by doctor for people with:
- Liver disease or damage
- Infected or suspected to be infected with Hepatitis virus
- Frequent or heavy consumers of alcohol
- Family history or hereditary liver disease history
- Consumes medicines that affect the liver
- Obesity
- Diabetes
Other symptoms for which the doctor requests LFT Test include:
- Jaundice
- Light coloured bowel motion or dark urine
- Feeling very weak or tired
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting and Nausea
- Swelling and Abdominal pain
- Itching on skin
- Swelling on ankles and legs
If a person already has a liver disease or damage, then they need to monitor liver health regularly and LFT (Liver Function Test) helps in doing so.
Each LFT test indicates conditions and provides information regarding Liver Function. Combined results of LFT’s and all observations when considered, can indicate a liver damage or disease. It can help in identification of patterns or trends in normal or abnormal results suggesting different liver conditions.
Generally, results of LFT (Liver Function Tests) can indicate the following:
- Inflamed Liver, indicating Hepatitis.
- Hepatitis resulting from drinking alcohol or infection.
- Liver isn’t working well and how weak the liver has become.
- Problems with bile ducts, since Bile is the “digestive juice” made by our liver. Bile ducts are tubes that carry bile through and out of the liver.
- Damage to liver caused by consumption of medicines
Abnormal levels don’t always indicate a liver damage or condition. Other conditions may also result in abnormal levels of LFT. Like high levels of ALP could indicate liver disease or bone disease. The medical practitioner must consider symptoms, risk of liver disease or problem, medical history of the person along with on going medication and medicine regime.
In some cases, LFT may be conducted at regular intervals to check the progress of medication or treatment i.e. it is used to observe the effectiveness of treatment.
A blood sample is required to perform the LFT (Liver Function Test)
There is no specific preparation required for sample collection.
A LFT Test is only one indicator your medical examiner utilizes to learn about your liver health. They shall also consider your medical history, symptoms, and other factors to make a diagnosis or conclusion. You may also require additional tests for complete clarity.
FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions):
The liver function test price/ LFT test price in Delhi NCR is very affordable.
At Mahajan Imaging and Labs, the lft blood test price is in the range of ₹800-₹1000 for South Delhi, North Delhi, East Delhi, West Delhi and Central Delhi, Gurugram / Gurgaon, etc.
LFT test at home or your nearest location can be possible by collection of samples with home collection facility. The home collection facility enables you to get LFT test near your preferred area or location and is convenient and easy.
Other than Home collection, people can visit Mahajan Imaging and Labs centres located at Defence Colony New Delhi, SDA (Safdarjung Development Area) New Delhi, Pusa Road Delhi, Gurugram Haryana, Bali Nagar Delhi. Home collection is available across Delhi NCR.
Each LFT test indicates conditions and provides information regarding Liver Function. Combined results of LFT’s and all observations when considered, can indicate a liver damage or disease. It can help in identification of patterns or trends in normal or abnormal results suggesting different liver conditions.
Generally, results of LFT (Liver Function Tests) can indicate the following:
- Inflamed Liver, indicating Hepatitis.
- Hepatitis resulting from drinking alcohol or infection.
- Liver isn’t working well and how weak the liver has become.
- Problems with bile ducts, since Bile is the “digestive juice” made by our liver. Bile ducts are tubes that carry bile through and out of the liver.
- Damage to liver caused by consumption of medicines
Abnormal levels don’t always indicate a liver damage or condition. Other conditions may also result in abnormal levels of LFT.