When your doctor orders liver function tests, a group of blood tests that measure enzymes, proteins, and substances made by the liver. Also known as LFTs, these tests help catch liver damage before you feel sick. They’re not a single test—they’re a team. The most common ones track ALT, alanine aminotransferase, an enzyme that leaks into the blood when liver cells are injured, and AST, aspartate aminotransferase, found in the liver and other organs. High levels of either can mean your liver is under stress—from alcohol, meds, fatty liver, or viruses like hepatitis.
Then there’s bilirubin, a yellow pigment your liver processes from old red blood cells. If it builds up, you might get jaundice—yellow skin or eyes. Alkaline phosphatase and albumin round out the usual panel. Alkaline phosphatase spikes when bile flow is blocked, like from gallstones or tumors. Albumin shows how well your liver makes proteins; low levels can mean long-term damage. These numbers don’t exist in a vacuum. They connect to what you’re taking. Cyclosporine, for example, can harm the liver just like it can harm the kidneys. Caffeine might not directly raise liver enzymes, but if you’re on multiple meds, interactions can pile up. Even switching to a generic heart drug might change how your liver handles things, especially if you’re sensitive.
People with chronic conditions like autoimmune disease or diabetes often get these tests regularly—not because they’re sick, but to stay ahead. Your liver doesn’t scream until it’s almost broken. That’s why routine blood work matters. If your ALT is high, it doesn’t mean you have cirrhosis. It might mean you’ve been drinking more than usual, gained weight, or started a new supplement. The goal isn’t to panic at a single number. It’s to notice the pattern. Is it going up over months? Is it paired with fatigue or dark urine? That’s when you talk to your doctor. These tests are your early warning system. They’re not scary—they’re practical. And the posts below show how they tie into real situations: drug side effects, aging, medication switches, and even how your daily habits quietly affect your liver over time. You’ll see how people just like you used these results to make smarter choices—and what to do when something doesn’t add up.
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