Liver Blood Tests

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Medical Author:

Siamak T. Nabili, MD, MPH

Siamak T. Nabili, MD, MPH

Dr. Nabili received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), majoring in chemistry and biochemistry. He then completed his graduate degree at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). His graduate training included a specialized fellowship in public health where his research focused on environmental health and health-care delivery and management.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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• Liver Blood Tests Overview
• Aminotransferases
• Normal Levels of AST and ALT
• Elevated Levels of AST and ALT
• Diseases That Cause Abnormal Aminotransferase Levels
• Medications That Cause Abnormal Aminotransferase Levels
• Less Common Causes of Abnormal Aminotransferase Levels
• Evaluation of Healthy Patients for Mild to Moderate Rises in Aminotransferase Levels
• Monitoring Aminotransferase Levels
• Other Liver Enzymes
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors
• Read more on Liver Blood Tests from Healthwise
• Viewer Comments: Liver Blood Tests - Helped With Your Diagnosis
• Viewer Comments: Liver Blood Tests Abnormal - Results

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.