What laboratory test assesses liver function?

The assessment of liver function is most accurately carried out through liver function tests (LFTs). LFTs consist of a series of blood tests that measure various enzymes and proteins produced or processed by the liver. These tests typically include measurements of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin levels, and albumin. Elevated enzyme levels can indicate liver inflammation, damage, or disease, while low levels of albumin can suggest liver dysfunction.

Although the complete metabolic panel provides a broader view of an individual's metabolic health, it does not specifically target liver function and includes tests for glucose, calcium, electrolytes, and kidney function indicators which do not provide the detailed liver-specific information that LFTs do. The serum creatinine test primarily evaluates kidney health, offering no insight into liver function. Lastly, the coagulation profile is important in assessing blood clotting function, which can be affected by severe liver disease, but it is not a direct measure of liver function itself, making it less definitive for assessing overall liver health compared to LFTs.