Call / Whatsapp
+918447748545

Published on: Sep 15, 2021
5 minute read
By: Dr Rakesh Rai

Everything About Liver Function Tests- Purpose & Significance

Liver function tests are medical laboratory tests that measure the number of various substances in the blood that are released into your blood by liver cells or made by your liver. These substances are often called "liver enzymes" because they are enzymes that are produced exclusively by the liver to help regulate metabolism for processing chemicals, nutrients, and drugs.

A high level of any one of these may suggest an abnormal situation involving your liver. The most common symptoms associated with a problem involving your liver include nausea, vomiting, yellowing skin color (jaundice), fever, and abdominal discomfort such as pain on gentle pressing around about halfway down on the right side of the abdomen.

A liver function test is a blood test that evaluates an individual's liver function or sees if there may be a problem in this organ. Liver functions including leukocyte count, alkaline phosphatase, ALT/AST enzymes, and bilirubin levels are measured with results interpreted by physicians who then advise treatment options to relieve pain or reduce the risk of liver disease. If the level of these agents is elevated then the physician will typically recommend further diagnostics such as antibody testing for hepatitis B and C infections, ultrasounds, and biopsies.

Liver function tests are a series of blood tests used to evaluate liver function. Tests may include the following:

Inclusion of serum albumin or total proteins as variables in the SMA12 test
Albumin fractional catabolic rate (ACR) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) measurements, which can be used as a surrogate marker for changes in hepatocellular activity
Visible change is indicative that hepatocytes have been damaged or destroyed, an indicator that liver disease is present.
Fractional synthetic rate of albumin synthesis calculated from measurements of serum creatinine and urinary urea nitrogen providing information about hepatocyte intracellular mass status with decreased album

The most common of these are aminotransferases ALT and AST. These enzymes are released into the bloodstream in excessive amounts by the cells that line the bile ducts that carry bile from the liver - where it gets made - to where it gets used up in digestion ??i.e., all over your body, not just in your liver but also near your kidneys) when there's any sort of problem with those cells or with damage done to them because of some other hurtful event.

In the context of a medical lab test, a liver function test is anyone that has to do with the liver. Serum bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase are common ones. A veterinarian could use ultrasound as well as biochemistry analysis. These tests show how well your liver is performing its duty to remove toxins from your body and to make bile for those toxins. Liver function tests are conducted to assess the liver's ability to convert inactive substances in your blood to active ones.

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT/SGPT): tests what process - amino acid, carbohydrate, or fat - your liver is having trouble breaking down to store sugar for later use indigestion. This test will only show what type of enzyme the liver has difficulty processing at this time, so if this is normal but an alkaline phosphatase test comes back abnormal, this means there may be a different illness affecting the liver.

The test can measure certain chemicals that are released because of metabolism and excreted from the body in urine, such as albumin.

The most common indicators measured by blood-based liver function tests include GGT, ALP, total bilirubin / conjugated/unconjugated bilirubin, ALT and ASAT.

A group of enzymes found in healthy livers called GOT (gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase) and GPT (gamma-glutamyltransferase) can also be measured to determine damage to liver cells.

Liver Function Tests (LFTs) are a group of tests that measure the levels and function of various substances in the blood leave before digestion and within the liver. These include enzymes and proteins made by the liver; cholesterol, copper, iron, calcium, sodium, potassium; bilirubin level; albumin levels. The LFTs can be used to help diagnose many diseases such as viral hepatitis or alcoholic liver disease.

A history would normally prompt additional testing such as abdominal imaging for gallstones or metabolic abnormalities like cirrhosis caused by alcohol consumption. Kidney function should be tested because high-protein diets may cause kidney problems too. A genetic test might be warranted if there is a family history of inheritance. Liver function tests are a group of blood tests that doctors might use to evaluate the liver's ability to gather and store glycogen (sugar) and protein, produce bile, filter the blood, and produce cholesterol.

Drugs can accumulate in liver cells, leading to changes in levels of enzymes. Enzymes that are elevated may indicate an inflammatory or viral process as well as the use of certain medications such as steroids which need some time to clear from the body after discontinuation. The test isn't specific for any disease but can show if there is a liver problem even before symptoms occur, including cirrhosis and early hepatitis B and C infections. When first conducted, rapid elevations or decreases might be indications of acute injury or pre-clinically chronic injury respectively.

The liver may be the body's most important gland. It synthesizes nutrients from fat, carbohydrates, and protein into a form that can be absorbed by the blood to supply the cells, brain, and other tissues with a continuous supply of fuel. The liver also acts as a storage center for high-density energy reserves in times of food shortage or famine.

In response to viruses or bacteria which enter from our gut through their ingestion of contaminated water or insects’ excretions for example), substances called antibodies are manufactured in great numbers by specialized cells in an inflammatory reaction known as acute hepatitis. LFT helps measure the liver's endurance, by testing erythrocyte count, serum albumin level, bilirubin level and prothrombin time.

It's normal for your erythrocyte count to drop over time as you age. This is due mainly to the production of fewer red blood cells in your bone marrow. It may provide an indication of what is happening inside the liver with regard to the regeneration of new cells. An elevated or persistently high level can indicate cirrhosis or cancer. If it's persistently high, then requires radiologic imaging for diagnosis.

The liver function tests are blood tests that tell the physician how well the liver is working. The enzymes GGT, ALT, AST, and ALP are primarily tested to examine what should be healthy activities through three phases of hepatic metabolism. Since these enzymes exist primarily in the liver, they do not normally show up in any other tissue or fluid other than the bloodstream. If there is a disease that affects the cells within the liver, then inflammatory processes will ensue. This will lead to excessive production of oxygen-free radicals to facilitate cell death and release toxins into circulation which can affect all body systems including altering enzyme quantities, so they bump up against their normal reference ranges for evaluation.

The purpose of liver function tests is to diagnose and monitor a person's condition, based on levels of certain enzymes in the blood.

A high level of transaminases might be due to a variety of diseases or conditions, including hepatitis, cirrhosis, biliary obstruction from gallstones, or pancreatitis. Liver disease disrupting the production and release of albumin will also produce abnormally low-level albumin which can be detected with this test. A qualitative determination can be made if large amounts of Clotting Factor VIII are released into the bloodstream - Hepaetous Patina (HP) - leading to severe bleeding episodes independent from coagulation defects where plasma clotting normally should take place.

Liver function tests measure the level of different substances produced or used by the liver, such as albumin. The liver conditions may include fatty liver (hepatic steatosis), alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and many disorders affecting other parts of the body which ultimately damage the working capacity of your liver. Liver function tests are not meant to detect acute hepatitis or mild cases of elevated enzyme levels that commonly resolve on their own. Normal results suggest that there is no abnormality with your kidneys. Abnormal livers often show high amounts of creatinine kinase (CK) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT).

The liver is the body's only organ able to break down toxic compounds, so its function must be checked. The example you gave -- SGPT, or aspartate aminotransferase -- measures the level of a major liver enzyme. High levels could indicate damage from drugs also used for weight loss, such as acetaminophen/paracetamol (Tylenol) or metformin (Glucophage). Too-low levels of hepatocyte enzymes mean that the liver's not functioning properly and may develop complications like hepatitis and cirrhosis.

Read Blog

Do Late-Night Meals Cause Weight Gain? Let’s Uncover the Truth

Many of us have a habit of snacking late at night or even having a full meal right before bed. Whether it’s a busy schedule, late-night cravings, or watching movies with snacks, eating late has become quite common. But the big question is—do late-night meals cause weight gain?

Let’s explore what science says, how your body responds to late meals, and tips to manage your eating habits for better health and weight control.

Why We Eat Late at Night

In today’s fast-paced life, late-night eating often happens because of:

Long working hours or night shifts
Skipping meals during the day
Emotional eating or stress
Social gatherings or weekend habits

While occasional late-night eating may not harm you, making it a routine could have consequences—especially if the food choices aren’t healthy.

How Your Body Works While You Sleep

Your body doesn’t shut down at night—it continues working. However, the metabolism slows down because your body prepares for rest, not digestion. Late-night meals, especially heavy or sugary ones, are digested more slowly.

During sleep, your energy demand is low, so the extra calories consumed at night are more likely to be stored as fat rather than burned for energy.

Late-Night Eating and Weight Gain: What's the Link?

Several studies show that when you eat is just as important as what you eat. Here’s why eating late may contribute to weight gain:

Calorie Surplus

Late-night meals usually come after you've already eaten enough during the day. So, you’re adding more calories than your body needs—leading to weight gain.

Poor Food Choices

People tend to eat unhealthy foods at night—like chips, ice cream, sugary drinks, or fast food. These high-calorie items with little nutrition easily lead to fat storage.

Hormonal Imbalance

Late eating can affect hormones like insulin, leptin, and ghrelin, which regulate hunger and fat storage. Disrupted hormonal patterns can make you feel hungrier the next day and crave more junk food.

Disrupted Sleep

Heavy meals before bed can cause bloating, acidity, or indigestion—leading to poor sleep. Poor sleep affects metabolism, increases hunger hormones, and makes weight gain more likely.

Common Myths About Late-Night Eating

Let’s bust a few myths:

Myth: Eating after 8 PM always causes weight gain.
Fact: It depends on how much and what you eat. A light snack at 9 PM is very different from a greasy burger at midnight.

Myth: Your body stores everything as fat at night.
Fact: If your total daily calories are under control and your food choices are healthy, you won’t automatically gain weight.

When Late-Night Meals Might Be Okay

Late-night eating isn’t always harmful—especially if:

You’ve had a long gap between meals
You're genuinely hungry (not just bored)
You choose a light and balanced snack like:
- A handful of almonds
- Greek yogurt
- A banana or boiled egg
- Warm turmeric milk

These foods are low in calories and promote better sleep.

Best Time to Eat Dinner

Nutrition experts recommend having your last major meal 2 to 3 hours before bedtime. For example, if you sleep at 10:30 PM, aim to finish dinner by 7:30–8:00 PM.

This gives your body enough time to digest food before you lie down, preventing bloating, heartburn, and excess fat storage.

Tips to Avoid Late-Night Overeating

Here’s how to manage your night-time hunger:

1. Eat Balanced Meals During the Day

Don’t skip breakfast or lunch. When you eat regularly, you’re less likely to feel hungry late at night.

2. Hydrate Properly

Thirst is often mistaken for hunger. Drink water before reaching for a snack.

3. Plan Your Dinner Time

Set a regular time for dinner. Make it a light, protein-rich meal with veggies.

4. Don’t Eat Out of Boredom

Keep yourself busy. Sometimes a walk, a warm shower, or reading helps more than food.

5. Sleep on Time

Late sleepers are more likely to snack. A fixed sleep schedule helps control hunger hormones.

Healthy Late-Night Snack Ideas

If you truly need something to eat before bed, try:

Low-fat yogurt
Whole-grain crackers with peanut butter
A small fruit like apple or kiwi
Herbal teas like chamomile or tulsi

Avoid spicy, fried, or sugary foods—they’ll disrupt sleep and digestion.

What You Can Do for Weight Control

If you're struggling with weight or digestion, consider a weight management test panel. Thyrocare (via SecondMedic) offers:

Thyroid test – to rule out hormonal causes
Vitamin & lipid profile – for metabolic insight
Fasting glucose & HbA1c – for sugar levels

These tests help identify if late-night eating is affecting your metabolism or sugar levels.

Conclusion

So, do late-night meals cause weight gain? The answer depends on what, how much, and how often you eat late at night. Eating a heavy or high-calorie meal before bed regularly can absolutely lead to weight gain over time.

The key is to eat mindfully, stick to healthy choices, and maintain a consistent eating and sleeping schedule. Occasional late-night snacks won’t hurt—but turning them into a habit will.

To protect your health and manage weight, be aware of what you eat, and when you eat—because yes, do late-night meals cause weight gain? Absolutely, if you're not careful.

Request A Callback

+91

By using this website/app, I confirm that I am at least 18 years old and consent to the processing of my personal data in accordance with the Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Declaration.