Liver Function Tests (Liver Panel)
Reviewed
Liver function tests are a group of blood measurements that can indicate liver injury, bile-flow problems, or aspects of liver function.
Preparation and collection
Preparation depends on the panel and laboratory. Fasting or medicine timing may be requested; do not stop medicines unless instructed.
Understanding this test
Use the reference interval and units printed by the laboratory that performed the test. A result outside that interval is not a diagnosis by itself, and a result inside it does not rule out every condition. Your symptoms, history, medicines, timing, and related tests can change what the result means.
- ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, bilirubin, albumin, and PT/INR answer different clinical questions.
- Exercise, muscle injury, pregnancy, medicines, alcohol, fasting, and sample quality can alter components.
What to do next
A clinician may repeat the panel or request hepatitis testing, ultrasound, autoimmune tests, medicine review, or other assessment based on the pattern.
Evidence source
U.S. National Library of Medicine: Liver Function Tests (Liver Panel)