Te mārama ki ō hua whakamātaunga oranga ate Understanding your liver function results
Liver function tests are done if you have symptoms of a liver condition or risk factors for liver disease. They are also used if you are taking medicines that can affect how your liver works.
Terms used in your liver function results
Your blood test will measure some important proteins, enzymes and substances. The levels in your test results will provide information about your liver function.
This is the total of all the different types of protein in your blood.
Albumin is the main protein your liver makes. It goes into your blood and helps to carry many things around your body.
Bilirubin is a substance your body makes when it breaks down old red blood cells and replaces them with new ones. Bilirubin gives the digestive fluid bile its yellow colour.
ALP is an enzyme in your liver and bones. (An enzyme is a type of protein that helps speed up other chemical processes.)
GGT stands for gamma glutamyltransferase, which is an enzyme in your liver.
ALT stands for alanine aminotransferase, which is another enzyme in your liver.
AST stands for aspartate aminotransferase, which is also an enzyme in your liver.
Normal liver function results
If you have a copy of your test results, it will show your results and a normal range for each test. The normal ranges may vary depending on:
- your gender
- your age group
- whether you are pregnant
- any underlying health conditions.
So the normal ranges shown on your test results may not be exactly right for you. Talk to your healthcare provider about your results if you are unsure.
High liver function results
Most blood tests that look at your liver do not give an exact answer to what is wrong with your liver. They just give a clue that something might be wrong. It can be difficult to interpret the results of liver function tests.
High bilirubin
There can be many reasons why your bilirubin level might be high, including:
- a harmless condition called Gilbert syndrome
- a blockage of bile flow in your liver, such as from gallstones
- because your body is breaking down more red blood cells than usual.
Gilbert's syndrome — NHS UK (external link)
Gallbladder and gallstones (internal link)
High ALP
If your ALP is high, this can be a sign of a problem with your liver or bones.
High GGT
If your GGT is raised, it can be a sign you are drinking too much alcohol, using certain medications, or a problem with your liver or a blocked bile duct.
High ALT or AST
If your ALT or AST are high, this can be a sign of inflammation or damage in your liver.
Low liver function results
Albumin
If your albumin levels are low, this can be a sign that your liver is not working properly and not making proteins. It can also happen if you are malnourished (not eating enough or not eating the right foods).
Next steps
What you need to do depends on what your blood tests show and how far from normal they are.
Sometimes, if the results are not too far from normal, they will come back to normal on their own. Your healthcare provider will simply repeat the blood test and monitor the results.
If your blood tests show problems in your liver, you may need more blood tests or scans, such as an ultrasound scan to find out what is wrong.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any questions about your liver function test results.