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8503135 
Book/Book Chapter 
Liver function tests 
Lala, V; Goyal, A; Bansal, P; Minter, DA 
2022 
StatPearls Publishing 
Treasure Island, FL 
StatPearls 
English 
29494096 
has other version or edition 11805275 . [Updated 2023 Jul 30]
The liver, located in the right upper quadrant of the body and below the diaphragm is responsible for several functions including primary detoxification of various metabolites, synthesizing proteins, and producing digestive enzymes. The liver also has a significant role in metabolism, regulation of red blood cells (RBCs) and glucose synthesis and storage. Typically when reviewing LFTs, the discussion includes alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), serum bilirubin, prothrombin time (PT), the international normalized ratio (INR) and albumin. These tests can be helpful in determining the area of hepatic injury, and the pattern of elevation can help organize a differential diagnosis. The term “liver function tests“ is a misnomer as many of the tests do not comment on the function of the liver but rather pinpoint the source of the damage. Elevations in ALT and AST in out of proportion to ALP and bilirubin denotes a hepatocellular disease. Whereas, an elevation in ALP and bilirubin in disproportion to ALT and AST would denote a cholestatic pattern. The actual function of the liver can be graded based on its ability to produce albumin as well as vitamin K dependent clotting factors.[1][2][3] 
IRIS
• PCBs