Interpreting liver function tests

Raised ALT or AST can occur when liver cells are irritated, while alkaline phosphatase and GGT may point toward bile-duct or bile-flow issues but can have other sources. Bilirubin may rise when processing or bile flow is affected. Albumin and clotting results can reflect liver production, nutrition or other illness. One mildly unusual value does not identify a cause, and normal results do not exclude every liver problem.

Alcohol use disorder, viral hepatitis, fatty liver, medicines and muscle injury are among the possibilities clinicians consider. The pattern over time often matters more than an isolated reading.

Give the clinician a complete list of prescribed medicines, over-the-counter products, supplements and alcohol use. Do not stop essential treatment without advice, and avoid adding herbal products while the cause is being assessed. Follow instructions for repeat blood tests or ultrasound, and ask whether hepatitis A, B or C testing is appropriate. Keep a record of earlier results so changes can be compared.

Get urgent help for yellow skin or eyes with confusion, vomiting blood, black stools, severe abdominal pain, fainting or unusual sleepiness. Seek prompt assessment for rapidly worsening jaundice, very dark urine, pale stools, fever with right-upper-abdominal pain or persistent vomiting. An abnormal result without these warning signs generally calls for arranged follow-up rather than emergency treatment.

Ask: Which results are outside the range, and what pattern do they form? Could a medicine, supplement, alcohol or recent illness explain them? Do I need repeat tests or imaging? Should viral hepatitis tests or a specialist review be arranged?