Liver function test

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This editable Main Article is under development and subject to a disclaimer.

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In clinical medicine, liver function tests include tests for:[1]

* Surrogates for hepatic cell breakdown
* Transaminases
* alanine transaminase[2] (ALT)formerly called glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT)
* aspartate aminotransferase (AST)[3], formerly called glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT)
* Lactic dehydrogenase
* Indicators of obstruction
* Alkaline phosphatase
* 5’-NT (5-nucleotidase)
* GGT (gamma-glutamyltransferase)
* Bilirubin
* Hepatic synthetic function
* Protein
* Albumin
* Globulin
* Albumin-globulin ratio

* Coagulation factors
* Prothrombin time
* International normalized ratio
* Tumor markers
* alpha-fetoprotein
* Special
* Copper metabolism
* Ceruloplasmin
* Human iron metabolism
* serum iron
* total iron binding capacity (TIBC) % transferrinsaturation
* ferritin
* hepcidin (experimental)
* Serology
* HBsAg
* Anti-HBsAg
* Anti-HBcAg (immunoglobin G (IgG))
* Anti-HBcAg (immunoglobin M (IgM))

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## Imaging[edit]

While liver function tests are usually considered to be biochemical or immunologic, which themselves are increasingly overlapping, imaging provides valuable material as well. Liver scanning after injection of a radioactive tracer has been used for years to localize defects. Newer functional imaging is still experimental but shows promise.

## Causes of elevated test results[edit]

Patterns of abnormalities of liver function tests  | Suggested underlying cause

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AST/ALT ratio > 1[4] | Alcoholic liver diseases
Alkaline phosphatase to total bilirubin ratio <4[5]
AST/ALT ratio > 2.2[5] | Hepatolenticular degeneration (Wilson's Disease)

Increased blood levels of alanine transaminase have been associated with eating fast food twice a day while limiting exercise.[6] The intervention in the trial aimed to "double the regular caloric intake in combination with adoption of a sedentary lifestyle for four weeks."[6]

## References[edit]

1. ↑ Covin, RB (April 4, 2006), Liver and Gallbladder Pathology, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
2. ↑ Anonymous (2025), Alanine transaminase (English). Medical Subject Headings. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
3. ↑ Anonymous (2025), Aspartate aminotransferase (English). Medical Subject Headings. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
4. ↑ Van Ness MM, Diehl AM (1989). "Is liver biopsy useful in the evaluation of patients with chronically elevated liver enzymes?". Ann Intern Med 111 (6): 473-8. PMID 2774372. [e]
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Korman JD, Volenberg I, Balko J, Webster J, Schiodt FV, Squires RH et al. (2008). "Screening for Wilson disease in acute liver failure: a comparison of currently available diagnostic tests.". Hepatology 48 (4): 1167-74. DOI:10.1002/hep.22446. PMID 18798336. Research Blogging.
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Kechagias S, Ernersson A, Dahlqvist O, Lundberg P, Lindström T, Nystrom FH (2008). "Fast food based hyper-alimentation can induce rapid and profound elevation of serum alanine aminotransferase in healthy subjects". Gut. DOI:10.1136/gut.2007.131797. PMID 18276725. Research Blogging.