Description

What are they used for?
Liver function tests are most often used to:
• Help diagnose liver diseases, such as hepatitis
• Monitor treatment of liver disease. These tests can show how well the treatment is working.
• Check how badly a liver has been damaged or scarred by disease, such as cirrhosis
• Monitor side effects of certain medicines

Why do I need liver function testing?
You may need liver function testing if you have symptoms of liver disease. These include:
• Jaundice, a condition that causes your skin and eyes to turn yellow
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Dark-colored urine
• Light-colored stool
• Fatigue
You may also need these tests if you have certain risk factors. You may be at higher risk for liver disease if you:
• Have a family history of liver disease
• Have alcohol use disorder, a condition in which you have difficulty controlling how much you drink
• Think you have been exposed to a hepatitis virus
• Take medicines that may cause liver damage

What happens during a liver function test?
A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.

Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test?
You may need to fast (not eat or drink) for 10-12 hours before the test.

What do the results mean?
If one or more of your liver function test results were not normal, it may mean your liver is damaged or not working properly. Liver damage can be caused by a number of different conditions, including:
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C
• Alcohol use disorder, which includes alcoholism.
• Liver cancer
• Diabetes
If you have questions about your results, talk to our health care provider.