What is a liver panel?
A liver panel is a laboratory blood test that measures enzymes, proteins, and substances made in the liver. By looking at these levels, your healthcare provider can check the overall health of your liver.
The levels measured in a liver panel include:
- Albumin - protein made in the liver
- Total protein - the total amount of protein in your blood sample.
- Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) - an enzyme produced in the liver.
- Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) - an enzyme produced in the liver.
- Alanine transaminase (ALT) - an enzyme produced in the liver.
- Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) - an enzyme produced in the liver.
- Bilirubin - a waste product made in the liver.
- Lactate dehydrogenase (LD) - an enzyme is released when cells are damaged by disease or injury.
- Prothrombin time (PT) - a measure related to your blood's ability to form clots.
You may also hear a liver panel called a liver function panel, hepatic function panel, liver profile, hepatic profile, or LFT.
What lab tests show liver function?
If your liver has been injured, damaged, or is not functioning well, the liver enzymes ALT, AST, and GGT levels may be elevated on the blood test. These levels can be monitored to see if they are improving through treatments to help your liver.
What are the first signs of a bad liver?
The liver’s primary function is to help your body detoxify. It also stores sugar in the form of glycogen. Signs that you may have a liver problem include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Jaundice - a yellow discoloration of the skin
- Feeling tired and weak
- Shortness of breath
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Swelling of the legs
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Dark-colored urine
- Light-colored stools
What does it mean when your liver panel is high?
If your liver panel readings are high, it may indicate injury or damage to the liver. Elevated liver panel readings can result from the following:
- Fatty liver
- Alcohol use
- Diabetes
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Certain medications
- Liver cancer
What AST and ALT levels indicate liver disease?
Most healthcare providers will evaluate if AST or ALT readings are more than 2.5 times the normal upper limit. The normal ranges for AST and ALT are:
- AST: 5-50 u/L
- ALT: 7-56 u/L
This means your provider is looking for an AST 125 u/L or an ALT 140 u/L or higher.
How do you fix elevated liver enzymes?
In many cases, liver enzymes are only temporarily elevated and can be lowered. Common medications that elevate liver enzymes include Tylenol (acetaminophen) and statin medications used to lower cholesterol. If you are taking these medications, your healthcare provider may advise you to stop and recheck your liver enzymes.
Alcohol use affects the liver. Cutting back on drinking or stopping drinking is one of the best ways to improve your liver enzymes.
Some conditions like Hepatitis A are short-term, and liver enzymes will improve once the illness is over.
Elevated liver enzymes caused by fatty liver or diabetes will respond to dietary efforts to limit intake of fatty and sugary foods. This reduces the need for your liver to store excess sugars and cholesterol.
