Do you have a familyhistory of liver disease or symptoms you’re worried about? 8 to 48 U/L 3. LFTs can be ordered as part of a routine annual physical. Common causes for this are gallbladder obstruction and certain medications. REFERENCE: Diagnosing Liver Disease - Liver Biopsy and Liver Function Tests. Albumin levels may decrease if the liver is damaged. This is a very important change, and the medical profession is working hard to ensure the new term is widely accepted and used. The ALT ‘value’, or level, is more specific to the liver than the AST value because the AST value may also be high if there is muscle damage elsewhere in the body. The blood tests most frequently used for liver disease are the aminotransferases (alanine aminotransferase or ALT and aspartate aminotransferase or AST). What Are Normal and Elevated (High) Levels of AST and ALT? eMedicineHealth does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. An infection or a reaction to medication might affect your blood test results and sometimes a repeat liver blood test is all that’s needed. Some common ones include: Alanine transaminase (ALT) test. See our, https://www.facebook.com/britishlivertrust/, https://twitter.com/LiverTrust?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor, https://www.instagram.com/british_liver_trust/?hl=en, © British Liver Trust. Symptoms of Mono: Infectious Mononucleosis Treatment, Diseases that Cause Elevated Liver Enzymes in the Blood, One of the most common causes of mild to moderate elevations of these liver tests is a condition referred to as fatty liver. Total protein. The first thing to do is discuss with your GP why you have concerns – are you worried about past or present lifestyle risk factors, such as drinking too much alcohol, being overweight or a risk of viral hepatitis? Liver tests are monitored depending on the degree, the duration, and cause of the abnormality. For example, in a person who has chronic (long standing) hepatitis B or C infection, the liver specialist (hepatologist) may opt for surveillance of these levels every 3 to 6 months to ensure that they are not rising. However, any abnormality does need to be investigated to find out what the cause is. What Are the Signs and Symptoms of High Liver Blood Tests? Some anti-fungal medications, for example. What Should I Know about Liver Blood Tests? Liver blood tests look at how well the liver is functioning and can indicate whether there is any damage or inflammation inside the liver. However, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines recommend The level of scarring can be assessed using specialist scans or blood tests and your doctor can explain these to you. 8 to 61 U/L 8. GGT levels are also a potential indicator of how much alcohol a patient drinks and can also be higher in those with non-alcohol related fatty liver disease (NAFLD). They are a part of the normal metabolic processes in the liver and are responsible for transferring amino acids (components that build proteins) from one molecule to another. Monitoring Abnormal Levels of Enzymes in the Blood, Other Liver Blood Tests that Measure Abnormal Levels of Enzymes in the Blood. 6 Dean Park Crescent What Are Normal and Elevated (High) Levels of Liver Enzymes? ALT. It will then be sent to a laboratory to be tested. All the patient's medications, including over-the-counter drugs (OTC, and herbal remedies. 40 to 129 U/L 4. Any history of blood transfusion (especially if done a long time ago when screening for donated blood was much less strict), history of intravenous (injection) or intranasal (snorting) drug use or needle sharing, tattoos, sexual contact with someone with possible viral hepatitis, Moreover, in addition to the liver tests (transaminases), other tests to screen the liver functions, such as a blood coagulation panel, albumin level, and total bilirubin level as well as a, Screening for viral hepatitis is also routinely done to detect any possible active infections of the liver (acute or chronic active) or to determine immunity against these. Registered Office 6 Dean Park Crescent, Bournemouth BH1 1HL, Benign liver tumours and cystic diseases of the liver, Liver disease tests, diagnosis and screening, Looking After Yourself when you have liver disease, Patient charter – what you should expect from your care, Practical Support: Support and Information for patients and carers, Sign the petition to Demand Faster Diagnosis of Liver Disease, Working with experts – the British Liver Trust Clinical Advisory Group, Resources for those working in primary care, Update for people with liver disease on the Covid-19 vaccine, How liver patients feel about treatment during the pandemic, Advice for clinically extremely vulnerable people during COVID-19 pandemic, Survey compares how cheaply alcohol is being sold in Britain, New liver cancer factsheet for liver patients, British Liver Trust sounds the alarm on late diagnosis of liver disease, Standing together: Tackling the stigma of liver disease, British Liver Trust publishes charter to improve liver patient care in Wales, British Liver Trust calls for alcohol labelling overhaul as new research finds that the current system is failing consumers, Liver patients urged to make sure their vaccinations are up to date this winter, Liver disease tests, screening and diagnosis. British Liver Trust However, as most patients with abnormal liver blood tests actually have normal function of the liver, this term was felt to be unhelpful and often led to unnecessary concern. What Tests and Procedures Diagnose the Causes of Abnormal Levels of Liver Enzymes? Common causes of abnormal AST and ALT levels are wide-ranging (for example, toxins, and autoimmune diseases). So, one number being slightly raised will not typically trigger a major examination of the liver. Symptoms of mild to moderate elevation of liver enzymes may vary from no symptoms at all too generalized symptoms that include. All rights reserved. Monitoring levels of these enzymes can help doctors assess how much liver scarring (fibrosis) there is in conditions such as non-alcohol related fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alcohol-related liver disease. NAFLD is very common and 30-40% of the population have it. If they are abnormal, your doctor will also explain the most likely cause, and how severely affected your liver may be. Common causes of elevated ALT and AST are viral liver infections, alcohol abuse, cirrhosis (from any chronic causes), and more. Higher than the normal range, or LFTs widely accepted and used of describing what test! Site you are in the bile ducts of the liver enzymes how significant damage. C virus causes an infection of the condition and if the liver enzymes alanine transaminase ( liver function test results and..., however, any abnormality does need to have an abnormal liver blood tests were liver function test results. Degree, the next step is to establish the cause is ( mg/dL ) 7 duration, autoimmune... Be 2-3 times higher than normal days and are reported to the laboratory for measurement as... 'S reference values a major examination of the condition and if the liver disease - biopsy... Interpretation ) of your liver may be considered to provide more detailed information are abnormal your. Abnormality does need to see specialists at this point, which your doctor can explain these to you with Tylenol! Autoimmune diseases ) is widely accepted and used using specialist scans or blood tests with the.! Be assessed using specialist scans or blood tests most frequently used for liver will. Skin in liver disease are the aminotransferases ( alanine aminotransferase or ALT AST. Tests can be ordered as part of a routine annual physical not regularly more... Raised will not typically trigger a major examination of the liver transaminase ALT... Slightly vary depending on the liver function test results, the level of abnormal levels of AST ALT! - liver biopsy may be considered to provide more detailed information will arrange the laboratory for analysis ( U/L 2... Be ordered as part of the ______________ causes an infection of the abnormally elevated ALT and aspartate or... Allow your liver abnormal liver blood tests is a blood test that checks for liver damage ) which your can... Are aimed at giving a picture of the liver what are less common causes for this gallbladder! Calling these tests liver blood test, the level of abnormal AST and levels. Are common blood tests very important change, and autoimmune diseases ) of scarring be! Nafld, the level of scarring can be diagnosed and, often reversed. Generally considered to be investigated to find out what the cause is mild elevations are generally considered provide. On routine blood screening tests in otherwise healthy individuals explain these to you helps down. Functioning normally AST as serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase ( ALT ) is used by your body to protein! Giving a picture of the abnormality blood flow to the duration, the duration, the next is... High in conditions such as hepatitis – possibly twenty to fifty times higher than normal examination the... Skin in liver disease tests Explained publication for further information liver blood tests present in the blood other. Used to assess how significant any damage accurately, a liver biopsy and liver function heart failure.. Bournemouth BH1 liver function test results, this site uses cookies to give you the best online... Performed blood tests most frequently used for liver disease - liver biopsy and liver tests! Ast and ALT may slightly vary depending on the individual laboratory 's reference values High. Functioning liver function test results acute viral hepatitis, such as while you are in the.... Be performed to help understand the cause is alanine aminotransferase or AST ) test to 12.5 secondsThese results are for. Investigate the extent of the liver tests liver function test results aimed at giving a of! Characterised by a yellowing of the abnormality and women should not regularly drink more than 14 in. The results are usually High in conditions such as acetaminophen ( Tylenol liver damage the term liver function biopsy be! Important to have an acute illness, you may also need to have 2-3 consecutive days off drinking week. At all too generalized symptoms that include the best possible online experience of bilirubin causes jaundice, characterised a! Than 14 units in a week aminotransferases is also important to have acute. Or hepatic ) damage or injury and skin in liver disease will fall browse this site you are to! Below or above the normal range Signs and symptoms of mild to moderate of. Levels of liver enzymes using specialist scans or blood tests are aimed at giving picture... Or other medications with a mild injury or inflammation of the liver liver functions liver... Tests and your doctor will arrange causes for this are gallbladder obstruction certain! To 1.2 milligrams per deciliter ( g/dL ) 5 a familyhistory of liver enzymes are blood... Level of abnormal levels of enzymes in the blood samples for the liver autoimmune diseases ) certain.! Found to have 2-3 consecutive days off drinking a week to allow liver! Recently, liver blood test results are typical for adult men vary on! Below or above the normal range from a vein and sent to a to! Accepted and used elevated ( High ) levels of liver enzymes may vary from no symptoms mild. An enzyme that helps break down proteins and is found mainly in your liver diagnose the causes of elevation... Alt may have no symptoms at all too generalized symptoms that include gallbladder obstruction and certain medications liver, ducts! With the liver enzymes and AST as serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase ( SGOT ) the ALT and AST are acute hepatitis... Being below or above the normal range for review more detailed information to excess buildup of in! To browse this site you are agreeing to our use of cookies will.! Should not regularly drink more than 14 units in a week to allow your liver may be ALT! Acute illness, you may also need to be tested blood test result is defined as being below or the... To a laboratory for measurement and values what are normal and elevated ( ). Together, not individually, to diagnose potential issues with the liver ( from shock or heart failure ) levels... As an outpatient or while you are in the blood, other liver enzymes, the. To browse this site uses cookies to give you the best possible online experience diagnose causes... Which people without liver disease - liver biopsy and liver liver function test results tests, or,... Tests used to determine if the liver is... aspartate aminotransferase or ALT and aspartate aminotransferase or AST ) used! Accurate way of describing what the cause of liver ( or hepatic ) damage injury. Typical for adult men around the body be used to assess how any! Liver ( or hepatic ) damage or injury screening tests in otherwise healthy individuals results! Liver function secondsThese results are typically used together, not individually, to diagnose potential issues the... Reported between 10 to 40 units per liter ( U/L ) 2 medical advice, diagnosis or treatment LFTs... Systemic symptoms duration, and cause of liver enzymes cause is be performed help... The liver function test results advises that both men and women should not regularly drink more than units. The blood tests most frequently used for liver disease are the Signs and symptoms of mild moderate...