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.
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
| Parameter | Normal Range |
|---|---|
| SGPT / ALT | 7 – 56 U/L |
| SGOT / AST | 10 – 40 U/L |
| ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) | 44 – 147 U/L |
| GGT | 8 – 61 U/L (men); 5 – 36 U/L (women) |
| Total Bilirubin | 0.1 – 1.2 mg/dL |
| Direct Bilirubin | 0.0 – 0.3 mg/dL |
| Indirect Bilirubin | 0.2 – 0.9 mg/dL |
| Albumin | 3.4 – 5.4 g/dL |
| Total Protein | 6.0 – 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
- 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
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
→ Apollo Diagnostics Nagerbazar → Full List of Individual Tests → Book Home Collection → Full Body Checkup Packages
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