About Us | Privacy | Site Map
Font Size
A
A
A


Liver Blood Tests

Liver Blood Test Overview

In general, liver blood tests are used to detect an injury or an inflammation to the liver. These tests are commonly ordered and performed in many situations, such as in routine health screening, evaluation of abdominal pain, or suspected liver disease. The liver blood tests are typically done as a part of the comprehensive metabolic panel which also includes electrolyte levels and kidney function.

The main values measured in liver blood tests are the aminotransferases (alanine aminotransferase or ALT and aspartate aminotransferase or AST). The other measurements include alkaline phosphatase, albumin, and bilirubin. It is important to note that these tests are commonly referred to as "liver function tests", but this term is misleading as the aminotransferases and alkaline phosphatase do not reflect the function of the liver. Strictly speaking, the true liver function tests (LFT's) include albumin, bilirubin, blood coagulation panel, and glucose.

More specifically, AST, ALT, and alkaline phosphatase are called the liver enzymes and they typically are used to detect damage or injury to the liver (not its function) and they will be covered in this article.



Next: Aminotransferases »

Viewer Comments & Reviews

Liver Blood Tests - Helped With Your Diagnosis

The eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:

Please describe how Liver Blood Tests has helped in your diagnosis.

Anonymously share your comment to help others. Viewer Comments FAQs
See 2 Viewer Comments & Reviews

Submit Your Review


Printer-Friendly Format  |  Email to a Friend

Privacy Policy

Living Better

Find the secrets to longer life.

Are You Depressed? Take the Quiz


Liver Blood Tests

Liver Transplant »

Liver Transplant Overview

Currently, more than 17,000 people in the United States are waiting for liver transplants. According to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), about 5,300 liver transplantations were performed in the United States in 2002.

The liver is the second most commonly transplanted major organ, after the kidney, so it is clear that liver disease is a common and serious problem in this country. It is important for liver transplant candidates and their families to understand the basic process involved with liver transplants, to appreciate some of the challenges and complications that face liver transplant recipients (people who receive livers), and to recognize symptoms that should alert recipients to seek medical help.

Some basics are as follows:

  • The liver donor is the person who gives, or donates, all or part of his or her liver to the waiting patient who needs it. Donors are usually people who have died and wish to...

Read the Liver Transplant article »



Read What Your Physician is Reading on eMedicine

Perioperative Management of the Patient with Liver Disease »

The number of patients with cirrhosis who require surgery is on the rise.

Read More on eMedicine »

Featured Topics

Topics Related to Liver Blood Tests

Medical Dictionary


or A-Z List