Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Oct 25: With lifestyle disorders and non-communicable diseases on the rise, many people routinely undergo Liver Function Tests (LFTs). Seeing the words “LFT abnormal” on a report can be alarming. LFTs are a panel of markers that provide insight into different aspects of liver health. Understanding the patterns is key rather than panicking over a single abnormal value.

Key markers in an LFT include ALT, which indicates liver cell injury, and AST, found in liver, muscle, and heart, showing hepatic injury but less liver-specific. ALP and GGT help identify bile duct obstruction and confirm liver-related rises. Bilirubin, both total and direct, signals issues with bile processing or red cell breakdown. Albumin and total protein reflect liver synthetic function, while prothrombin time or INR highlights severe dysfunction.

Doctors interpret LFTs based on patterns. A hepatocellular pattern occurs when ALT and AST are higher than ALP, seen in viral hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, NAFLD, ischemic injury, or drug-related injury. Very high ALT/AST suggests acute liver injury, such as paracetamol overdose. A cholestatic pattern, with elevated ALP and bilirubin, points to bile duct obstruction, gallstones, or drug-induced cholestasis. Mixed patterns, where both enzyme groups are elevated, require further imaging and evaluation.

Common causes of abnormal LFTs include NAFLD linked to obesity and insulin resistance, alcoholic liver disease, viral hepatitis, drug-induced liver injury from medications or supplements, cholestatic diseases such as gallstones or primary biliary cholangitis, and autoimmune or genetic disorders like Wilson disease or haemochromatosis.

Urgent medical attention is required for jaundice, severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, confusion, prolonged INR, or extremely high transaminases as these could indicate acute liver failure or serious biliary obstruction. LFTs can also appear normal in early chronic liver disease, especially NAFLD, meaning that advanced fibrosis may exist despite modest enzyme elevations.

LFT interpretation relies on patterns, magnitude, and clinical context. Mild abnormalities are common and often reversible, while marked elevations require prompt evaluation. When discussing results, it is important to understand which pattern is present, the likely causes given personal history, further tests needed, and recommended lifestyle or treatment measures. Monitoring trends and targeted investigation are essential for effective liver care.