Liver Function Test (LFT) or Liver Profile
What is a Liver Function Test?
Liver function tests are also known as the liver profile hepatic function panel or liver panel. It is a group of blood tests that are used to monitor the condition of a patient’s liver. The test also determines whether or not the liver is damaged or diagnosed with a disease.
It tells the levels of various proteins, certain enzymes, and many other important substances in the blood. Because some enzymes are only present in your blood when your liver is damaged or is vulnerable to diseases. However, other blood tests check if your liver is working the way it should.
Note: Service available only in Mumbai, India
Why is the Liver Function Test done?
Your liver is responsible for the detoxification of harmful substances, digestion of food, distribution of nutrients, and production of important proteins that involves in blood clotting.
Therefore, your doctor may order a liver function test in order to monitor the overall health of your liver. The test is done on different parameters of various substances and proteins as mentioned above.
However, if any of those substances or protein levels are not normal then it may be a sign of liver disease or damaged liver.
Moreover, a liver function test is done to diagnose the following:
- Liver infections such as hepatitis and cirrhosis.
- The levels of enzymes and proteins in the liver.
- Check the condition of your liver.
- Monitor the progress of the treatment of existing liver disease.
- Check if the medications are not causing any harm to the liver.
- Diagnose symptoms of liver disorder.
- Check for liver damage from excessive consumption of alcohol.
