Liver Function Test (LFT) in Kolkata | Home Collection & NABL-Certified Results

Apollo Diagnostics | NABL-Certified Lab | Home Collection Available | Digital Reports on WhatsApp

What is a Liver Function Test (LFT)?

The Liver Function Test (LFT), also known as a Hepatic Panel, is a comprehensive group of blood tests used to evaluate how well your liver is working. The liver is a powerhouse organ responsible for detoxifying the blood, producing essential proteins and aiding digestion through bile secretion. An LFT measures the levels of specific enzymes, proteins and bilirubin — providing a clear window into your metabolic health and identifying potential liver damage, inflammation or obstruction.

Important: While fasting is not strictly required for a standalone LFT, fasting for 8–10 hours is recommended if the test is part of a larger health checkup that includes a Lipid Profile or blood sugar. Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours before your blood draw for accurate enzyme readings.

Key Parameters of an LFT Profile

A standard LFT panel includes several vital markers that assess different aspects of liver health:

  • SGPT / ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase) — most specific marker of liver cell injury. Elevated in fatty liver, hepatitis and drug-induced liver damage
  • SGOT / AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase) — liver enzyme also found in heart and muscles. Elevated in liver disease, heart attack and muscle disorders
  • ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) — enzyme related to bile ducts and bone. High levels suggest bile duct obstruction or bone disease
  • GGT (Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase) — sensitive marker for bile duct problems and alcohol-related liver stress
  • Bilirubin (Total, Direct & Indirect) — waste product from red blood cell breakdown. Elevated levels cause jaundice
  • Albumin — protein produced by the liver. Low albumin indicates chronic liver disease or malnutrition
  • Total Protein — reflects the liver's ability to synthesize proteins for immunity and fluid balance

Normal LFT Reference Ranges

ParameterNormal Range
SGPT / ALT7 – 56 U/L
SGOT / AST10 – 40 U/L
ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase)44 – 147 U/L
GGT8 – 61 U/L (men); 5 – 36 U/L (women)
Total Bilirubin0.1 – 1.2 mg/dL
Direct Bilirubin0.0 – 0.3 mg/dL
Indirect Bilirubin0.2 – 0.9 mg/dL
Albumin3.4 – 5.4 g/dL
Total Protein6.0 – 8.3 g/dL

Your doctor will interpret all parameters together as a pattern rather than any single value in isolation.

How to Read Your LFT Results

Common LFT patterns and what they suggest:
  • High SGPT + High SGOT — liver cell damage. Common in viral hepatitis, fatty liver (NAFLD), alcoholic liver disease or drug toxicity.
  • High ALP + High GGT + High Direct Bilirubin — bile duct obstruction. Common in gallstones, cholangitis or pancreatic disease.
  • High Total Bilirubin + High Indirect Bilirubin — hemolytic anemia or Gilbert's syndrome (where bilirubin is elevated but liver enzymes are normal).
  • Low Albumin + High Bilirubin — chronic liver failure. The liver can no longer produce adequate protein or clear waste.
  • Isolated mild SGPT elevation — common in fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is increasingly prevalent in urban populations.

When is an LFT Recommended?

Your doctor may recommend a Liver Function Test if you:

  • Have yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
  • Experience dark urine or pale stools
  • Have upper right abdominal pain or swelling
  • Are experiencing unexplained fatigue, nausea or loss of appetite
  • Have a history of alcohol use
  • Are on long-term medications that may affect the liver (statins, antiepileptics, paracetamol, TB drugs)
  • Have been diagnosed with or suspected of viral hepatitis (Hepatitis B or C)
  • Are overweight or have Type 2 diabetes (high risk of fatty liver)
  • Need a pre-surgical liver health assessment
  • As part of a routine full body checkup or annual health screening

What Conditions Does LFT Help Diagnose or Monitor?

  • Fatty liver disease (Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease — NAFLD)
  • Viral Hepatitis (Hepatitis A, B, C, E)
  • Alcoholic liver disease
  • Liver cirrhosis
  • Bile duct obstruction and cholestasis
  • Gallstones and gallbladder disease
  • Drug-induced liver injury
  • Jaundice and Gilbert's syndrome
  • Autoimmune hepatitis
  • Monitoring treatment for known liver conditions

LFT Test Price in Kolkata

Liver Function Test (LFT) Price: ₹900
Fasting preferred if combined with lipid profile  |  Avoid alcohol 24 hrs before  |  Free home collection above ₹2,000

Tests Commonly Ordered Alongside LFT

  • HBsAg (Hepatitis B Surface Antigen) — screens for active Hepatitis B infection
  • Anti-HCV (Hepatitis C Antibody) — screens for Hepatitis C infection
  • CBC (Complete Blood Count) — liver disease can affect blood cell counts
  • Kidney Function Test (KFT) — liver and kidney function are often evaluated together in a comprehensive metabolic panel
  • Lipid Profile — fatty liver is closely linked to dyslipidemia
  • HbA1c & Blood Sugar — diabetes and fatty liver frequently coexist
  • Serum Ferritin — elevated in Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) and hereditary hemochromatosis

Home Collection for LFT Test in Kolkata

Apollo Diagnostics provides home blood sample collection for Liver Function Tests across North and Central Kolkata. Our phlebotomists arrive at your doorstep with sterile single-use equipment. Samples are processed using advanced automated chemistry analyzers at our NABL-certified central laboratory.

  • Home collection available: 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Daily
  • Avoid alcohol for 24 hours before collection
  • Fast 8–10 hours if LFT is combined with Lipid Profile or blood sugar
  • Free home collection on orders above ₹2,000
  • Digital reports delivered to WhatsApp within 24 hours

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the Liver Function Test used for?
The LFT evaluates liver health by measuring enzymes, proteins and bilirubin. It diagnoses fatty liver, viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, bile duct obstruction and jaundice. It is also used to monitor the liver in patients on long-term medications, those with diabetes or obesity, and as part of routine health checkups.
Q2. What parameters are included in an LFT?
A standard LFT includes SGPT (ALT), SGOT (AST), ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase), GGT, Total Bilirubin, Direct Bilirubin, Indirect Bilirubin, Albumin and Total Protein. Together these markers give a comprehensive picture of liver health covering cell damage, bile flow, protein synthesis and waste clearance.
Q3. Does the LFT require fasting?
Fasting is not strictly required for a standalone LFT. However fasting for 8–10 hours is recommended when LFT is ordered alongside a Lipid Profile or blood sugar test. Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours before the test as alcohol can temporarily elevate liver enzymes and give misleading results.
Q4. What is the LFT test price at Apollo Diagnostics Kolkata?
The Liver Function Test price at Apollo Diagnostics is ₹900. Home collection is available free on orders above ₹2,000.
Q5. What does high SGPT (ALT) mean?
SGPT (ALT) is the most specific marker of liver cell damage. Elevated SGPT indicates that liver cells are injured or inflamed. Common causes include fatty liver disease (NAFLD), viral hepatitis (Hepatitis B or C), alcoholic liver disease, drug-induced liver injury and autoimmune hepatitis. Mild elevations (up to 3 times normal) are common in fatty liver. Severe elevations (above 10 times normal) suggest acute hepatitis or liver failure.
Q6. What causes jaundice and how does LFT help?
Jaundice is caused by elevated bilirubin in the blood. LFT helps identify the type of jaundice — pre-hepatic (hemolytic), hepatic (liver cell damage) or post-hepatic (bile duct obstruction). High indirect bilirubin with normal enzymes suggests hemolysis. High direct bilirubin with high ALP and GGT suggests bile duct blockage. High SGPT with high bilirubin suggests viral hepatitis or liver cell damage.
Q7. Can fatty liver cause abnormal LFT results?
Yes. Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of mildly elevated SGPT and SGOT in urban Indians. It is closely linked to obesity, Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and metabolic syndrome. Many people with fatty liver have no symptoms and are identified only on routine LFT. Lifestyle changes — diet, exercise and weight loss — are the primary treatment for NAFLD.
Q8. Is home collection available for LFT test in Kolkata?
Yes. Apollo Diagnostics provides home blood sample collection for LFT tests across Dum Dum, South Dum Dum, Nagerbazar, Satgachi, Baguiati, Lake Town, Bangur, Kaikhali, Sealdah, Entally, Phoolbagan, Tangra and surrounding areas. Book by calling or WhatsApping +91 8660434628.
Q9. How long does it take to get LFT results?
LFT results are typically available within 24 hours of sample collection. Reports are delivered digitally to your WhatsApp or email.
Q10. Which centre processes my LFT sample in Kolkata?
All samples collected across North and Central Kolkata are processed at Apollo Diagnostics Nagerbazar — Nandarani Apartment, 8A Narasingha Avenue, Nagerbazar, Dum Dum, Kolkata 700074. Our lab is NABL-certified and ISO-certified.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Cortisol Blood Test: Purpose, Preparation, and Normal Range Explained

Health & Diagnostics | Apollo Diagnostic Kolkata Cortisol Blood Test: What It Measures, Why It's Done, and How to Prepare ...