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Measures: Levels of liver enzymes, proteins, and byproducts..
Identifies: Liver disease or injury, damage, inflammation.
A Liver Function Test (LFT) is important for several reasons:
Diagnosing Liver Diseases: LFTs help diagnose liver conditions such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and fatty liver disease.
Monitoring Liver Health: If you have a known liver condition, LFTs can monitor the disease’s progression and the effectiveness of treatments.
Evaluating Symptoms: If you have symptoms such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), dark urine, light-colored stools, persistent fatigue, or abdominal pain, LFTs can help identify the underlying cause.
Checking for Drug Toxicity: Some medications can affect liver function. LFTs can monitor for potential liver damage caused by these drugs.
Assessing Liver Damage: In cases of suspected alcohol abuse, drug overdose, or exposure to toxins, LFTs can evaluate the extent of liver damage.
Preoperative Assessment: Before undergoing surgery, LFTs may be performed to ensure the liver is functioning properly, which is important for the safe administration of anesthesia and recovery.
Routine Health Checkups: As part of a general health evaluation, LFTs can provide insight into your liver health, even if you are not experiencing any specific symptoms.
LFTs measure levels of various substances in the blood, such as enzymes (e.g., ALT, AST, ALP), bilirubin, and proteins (e.g., albumin), which provide information about the liver’s condition and functionality.