Liver Function Test-1 (Maxi)

LFT are used to assess function of liver which may be altered during liver infections, non-infectious conditions or injury. This test is not usually a part of battery of other tests recommended to diagnose a disease.
LFT can be used to monitor progression of diseases i.e., viral or alcoholic hepatitis, and their response to treatment
It is also done to monitor side effects of medications i.e., Isoniazid, Rifampicin & Pyrazinamide treatment for tuberculosis

A liver function maxi test is done to:

• Measure the levels of liver enzymes in case of liver diseases like fatty liver, cirrhosis, alcoholic hepatitis, or jaundice.

• Evaluate your risk of liver disease, damage, or any other ailment.

• Measure the level of the six liver components:

1. Bilirubin (Direct)
2. Bilirubin (Total)
3. AST
4. ALT
5. Total Proteins
6. ALP

• To assess the ability of the liver to excrete bilirubin

• Check if the treatment is suitably working for you or not.

Liver profile test measures bilirubin levels (direct, total), AST, ALT, total proteins, albumin, ALP

Liver Profile test requires a blood sample. A tourniquet (elastic) band is placed tightly on the upper arm. The patient is then asked to make a fist. This helps in the build-up of blood filling the veins. The skin is disinfected before needle insertion and the blood sample is collected in vacutainer.

The laboratory technician will tie an elastic band on your upper arm during the test. Then they will ask you to form a fist with your hand. This helps with the build-up of blood in the veins. They will then disinfect the area before inserting a needle into a vein in your arm to extract blood. They will collect the blood into an attached vacutainer or collection tube. They will then send it to the laboratory for analysis.

Ideally all parameters should be within the biological reference range. High levels are associated with certain diseases.
High ALT is associated with liver damage
High AST is associated with liver, muscle or other organ damage or disease. In isolated liver damage rise in ALT n AST is disproportionate to ALP 
High ALP is associated with blocked bile duct, or certain bone diseases and rise in such conditions is disproportionate to AST & ALT
Low proteins may be associated with liver disease or damage
High bilirubin might indicate liver damage (increase in direct bilirubin) or disease or certain types of anaemia (increase in indirect bilirubin)
High GGT may indicate bile duct damage. It may increase in hepatitis, liver cancer, acute heart condition. But together with ALP can help pinpoint liver related disorders
High Prothrombin time may be due deficiency of coagulation factors or due to deficiency of Vitamin K or due to anticoagulants being administered
LDH is increased in diseases involving blood (megaloblastic & pernicious anaemia), heart, liver, lung, kidney and other organs. In Hodgkin's disease and multiple myeloma

The liver function maxi test requires 10-12 hours of fasting. Your doctor may ask you to stop taking your medications before the test.

Bilirubin is measured in milligrams per decilitre of blood. A value less than 1.2 mg/dl is normal.

Bilirubin - Direct: 0.0 to 0.3 mg/dL

Bilirubin - Total: 0.0 to 1.2 mg/dL

AST: 8 to 48 U/L

ALT: 7 to 55 U/L

Total Proteins: 6.3 to 7.9 g/dL

Albumin: 3.5 to 5 g/dL

ALP: 40 to 129 U/L

These are the ranges of test values for adults.

• Avoid smoking
• Avoid drinking alcohol
• Lose the excessive weight
• Regularly exercise
• Drink coffee
• Avoid junk foods high in cholesterol
• Increase folic acid-rich foods

Warning signs of a liver ailment include -

• yellow skin and eyes
• abdominal pain and swelling
• chronic weakness
• dark urine
• Pale-coloured stools
• Itching of the skin
• swelling in ankles and feet

LFT

Liver Panel

Liver Chemistries

Liver Function Panel

Liver Profile

Prothrombin Time

Bilirubin Total

Bilirubin Direct

Bilirubin Indirect

Serum Glutamic-oxaloacetic Transaminase (SGOT)

Aspartate Transaminase (AST)

Serum Glutamic-pyruvic Transaminase (SGPT)

Alanine Transaminase (ALT)

Gamma Glutamyl Transpeptidase (GGTP)

Proteins

Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)

Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH)