Liver Function Tests (LFTs) – Harsh Mohan Format

S. No. Category Test Purpose /

Significance
I Tests for Bilirubin Detects bilirubin
Manufacture and levels in serum,
Excretion of Bile urine, and feces.
Elevated in jaundice,
hemolysis, and
hepatocellular
disease.
Urobilinogen Normally excreted
in urine; absent in
complete biliary
obstruction.
Increases in
hepatocellular
dysfunction.
Bile Acids (Bile Elevated in
Salts) intrahepatic and
extrahepatic
cholestasis; used to
assess bile acid
circulation.
Bromsulphalein Reflects liver’s
(BSP) Excretion capacity to excrete
organic anions;
rarely used now.
II Serum Enzyme Alkaline Markedly elevated
Assays Phosphatase (ALP) in biliary
obstruction. Mild
increase in
parenchymal liver
disease.
Gamma-Glutamyl Supports ALP
Transpeptidase findings; elevated in
(GGT) alcoholism and
biliary disease.
Transaminases (AST ALT (more liver
& ALT) specific); AST also
from muscle.
Elevated in hepatitis
and liver necrosis.
Other Enzymes Helpful in
(LDH, 5'- metastatic liver
nucleotidase) disease and
differentiating
hepatic origin.
III Tests for Metabolic Amino Acid & Assess ammonia to
Functions Plasma Protein urea conversion;
Metabolism altered in liver
failure.
Serum Proteins Decreased albumin,
(Albumin, Globulin, altered A:G ratio in
A:G ratio) chronic liver disease
and cirrhosis.
Lipid & Lipoprotein Altered cholesterol,
Metabolism triglycerides in
cholestasis and
hepatocellular
disease.
Carbohydrate Hypoglycemia seen
Metabolism in severe liver
damage or necrosis.
IV Immunologic Tests Non-specific Presence of
Immunologic autoantibodies like
Reactions anti-smooth muscle,
mitochondrial, and
ANA in chronic liver
diseases.
Antibodies to Detection of HBsAg,
Specific Etiologic anti-HBc, anti-HBe,
Agents etc., in hepatitis B
infection.
V Ancillary Diagnostic Ultrasound (USG) Detects biliary
Tests obstruction,
hepatomegaly,
splenomegaly, and
space-occupying
lesions.
FNAC / Liver Biopsy For
histopathological
confirmation in
chronic hepatitis or
undiagnosed liver
disease.