Liver function tests help determine the health of your liver by measuring the levels of proteins, liver

enzymes, or bilirubin in your blood.

A liver function test is often given in the following situations:

 to screen for liver infections, such as hepatitis C

 to monitor the side effects of certain medications known to affect the liver

 if you already have a liver disease, to monitor the disease and how well a particular treatment is
working

 to measure the degree of scarring (cirrhosis) on the liver

 if you’re experiencing the symptoms of a liver disorder

 if you’re planning on becoming pregnant

Many tests can be performed on the liver, but most of them don’t measure the overall function of the
liver. Commonly used tests to check liver function are the alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate
aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin, and bilirubin tests. The ALT and AST tests
measure enzymes that your liver releases in response to damage or disease. The albumin and bilirubin
tests measure how well the liver creates albumin, a protein, and how well it disposes of bilirubin, a
waste product of the blood.

Calcium- Calcium is the most present mineral within the body. The body stores more than 99% of its
calcium in the bones and teeth whilst the rest is distributed throughout the body in blood, muscle and
the fluid between cells. All cells need calcium in order to work. It is important for heart function, and
helps with muscle contraction, nerve signaling, and blood clotting. . The calcium blood test measures the
level of calcium in the blood. Testing for calcium may be used to diagnose certain bone diseases. Certain
cancers, such as multiple myeloma, a cancer of the breast, lung, neck, and kidney. Chronic kidney
disease, chronic liver disease. Disorders of the parathyroid glands (hormone made by these glands
controls calcium and vitamin D levels in the blood). Disorders that affect how your intestines absorb
nutrients. Overactive thyroid gland or taking too much thyroid hormone medicine.

Phosphorus- Phosphorus makes up 1% of a person’s bodyweight and is the second most abundant
mineral within the body. It is present in every cell of the body. The main function of phosphorus is in the
formation of bones and teeth. It also aids in kidney function, muscle contractions, normal heartbeat and
nerve signaling. The phosphorus blood test measures the amount of phosphate in the blood. Kidney,
liver, and certain bone diseases can cause abnormal phosphorus levels. Normal values range from 2.4 to
4.1 mg/dL.

Magnesium- Magnesium helps keep blood pressure normal, bones strong and the heart rhythm steady.
Magnesium is stored in the bones, cells, and tissues. The magnesium blood test checks the amount of
magnesium within the blood. The normal range for blood magnesium level is 1.7 to 2.2 mg/dL. A high
magnesium level may indicate many problems within the body which include: Addison disease, chronic
renal failure, dehydration and oliguria. Low magnesium levels may indicate: severe alcohol withdrawal,
hyperaldosteronism, cirrhosis, pancreatitis and hypoparathyroidism.

Amylase- Amylase is an enzyme that helps digest carbohydrates. It is made in the pancreas and the
salivary glands. Pancreatic amylase is produced to complete the digestion of the carbohydrate. Blood
can be tested for amylase. When the pancreas is diseased or inflamed, amylase releases into the blood.

Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) – it is an enzyme found within many organs within the body with the
highest concentration being found within the liver. GGT is usually the first liver enzyme to rise in the
blood when any of the bile ducts become obstructed for example by tumors or stones. This makes it the
most sensitive liver enzyme test for detecting liver problems.

Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) - It is an enzyme found in almost every cell of your body, including your
blood, muscles, brain, kidneys, and pancreas. The enzyme turns sugar into energy. The LDH test
measures the amount of LDH in your blood or other body fluid. When cells are damaged or destroyed,
this enzyme is released into the fluid portion of blood. Doctors call this “serum” or “plasma.” LDH can
also be released into other body fluid, including cerebrospinal fluid, which surrounds your brain and
spinal cord. The test is done to measure whether you have tissue damage and, if so, how much, to
monitor severe infections or conditions like hemolytic or megaloblastic anemias, kidney disease, and
liver disease and to help evaluate certain cancers or your cancer treatment.

Alanine Transaminase (ALT) – It is an enzyme mostly found within the liver. When liver cells are
damaged, they release ALT into the bloodstream. An ALT test measures the amount of ALT in the blood.
High levels of ALT in the blood can indicate a liver problem.

Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP/ALKP) – It is an enzyme found throughout the body, including the liver,
digestive system, kidneys, and bones. ALP helps break down proteins in the body and exists in different
forms, depending on where it originates. According to the University Of California San Francisco (UCSF),
the normal range for serum ALP level is 20–140 IU/L, but this can vary from laboratory to laboratory.
Abnormal levels of ALP in your blood most often indicate a problem with your liver, gallbladder, or
bones. However, they may also indicate malnutrition, kidney cancer tumors, intestinal issues, a pancreas
problem, or a serious infection.

Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) - It’s an enzyme produced by the liver. AST is found in the highest
concentrations in your muscles, heart, red blood cells and liver. AST levels increase when there’s
damage to the tissues and cells where the enzymes are found. The AST test measures the amount of AST
in your blood. The test is also known as Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase. This test is used to
check liver diseases such as Hepatitis. The AST test can be used to check the status of a known liver
disorder whether the treatment is working or not. AST testing can be done to make sure the
medications you are taking aren’t causing liver damage. AST test is performed on a blood sample.
Total Bilirubin (TBIL) - Bilirubin is an orange-yellow pigment, a waste product primarily produced by the
normal breakdown of heme. This test measures the amount of bilirubin in the blood to evaluate a
person's liver function or to help diagnose anemias caused by RBC destruction (hemolytic anemia).

Direct Bilirubin (DBIL) - This tests the bilirubin present within urine and it is used to evaluate a person’s
liver function.

Total Protein Test - Proteins are necessary for your body’s growth, development and health. Blood
contains Albumin and Globulin. Albumin proteins keep fluid from leaking out of your blood vessels.
Globulin proteins play an important role in your immune system. The total protein test measures the
total amount of Albumin and Globulin in your body. Normal Range for total protein is between 6 and 8.5
grams per deciliter. Elevated total protein may indicate: inflammation or infections, such as viral
hepatitis B or C, or HIV, bone marrow disorders, such as multiple myeloma or Waldenstrom’s disease.
Low total protein may indicate: bleeding, liver disorder, kidney disorder, such as a nephrotic disorder or
glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the glomeruli), malnutrition, malabsorption conditions, such as
celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease.

Albumin- It is a type of protein the liver makes. The Serum Albumin test is a simple Blood test that
measures the amount Albumin in your blood. Normal range for Albumin in the blood is 3.4 to 5.4 grams
per deciliter. Abnormally high Serum Album level is a sign that your kidneys and liver aren’t working
properly. Low Albumin level can indicate liver disease, inflammation, shock, malnutrition. Crohns
disease or Celiac disease which are large volumes of protein that are lost from the intestines.