ALT · AST · ALP · GGT · Bilirubin · Albumin · Total Protein
The liver performs over 500 functions: metabolising drugs, producing proteins, filtering toxins, and processing nutrients. Liver damage is silent until advanced: most patients with early hepatitis, fatty liver, or medication toxicity have no symptoms. The LFT catches damage years before symptoms, when it is still reversible.
The liver function test measures three types of marker: enzymes that leak when liver cells are damaged (ALT, AST, ALP, GGT), metabolic products that build up when liver function fails (bilirubin), and proteins the liver synthesises (albumin, total protein). Together they tell a complete story about liver health.
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Liver Enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP, GGT)
ALT (alanine aminotransferase) is the most liver-specific enzyme, elevated primarily in liver cell damage. AST also rises with liver damage but is found in heart and muscle too. ALP rises in bile duct problems and bone disease. GGT is the most sensitive marker of alcohol damage and fatty liver disease.
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Bilirubin (Total, Direct, Indirect)
Bilirubin is a bile pigment from red blood cell breakdown, processed by the liver. Elevated bilirubin causes jaundice (yellow skin and eyes). Direct bilirubin elevation signals liver or bile duct disease. Indirect elevation suggests haemolysis (red cell destruction). The pattern distinguishes pre-hepatic from hepatic from post-hepatic jaundice.
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Albumin & Total Protein
Albumin is exclusively synthesised by the liver. Low albumin indicates chronic liver failure, the liver can no longer make enough protein. Total protein includes albumin and globulins; the ratio between them (A:G ratio) helps diagnose cirrhosis, malnutrition, and chronic inflammatory conditions.
When to Test
Five Reasons to Get a Liver Function Test
01
Hepatitis B or C: Baseline and Monitoring
Hepatitis B and C are the leading causes of liver damage, cirrhosis, and liver cancer in Nigeria. LFT at diagnosis establishes how much damage has already occurred. Annual or biannual LFT monitoring tracks whether the disease is progressing and whether antiviral treatment is needed.
02
Jaundice: Yellow Skin or Eyes
Jaundice requires urgent LFT to determine whether it is hepatic (liver cell damage), cholestatic (bile duct obstruction, gallstones, cancer), or haemolytic (red cell destruction). The pattern of enzyme and bilirubin elevation distinguishes these causes, guiding urgent further investigation.
03
Regular Alcohol Use or Fatty Liver Risk
Alcohol damages the liver silently. GGT is the most sensitive early marker of alcohol-related liver injury, elevated before the patient has any symptoms. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), common in obesity and diabetes, is detected by elevated ALT and GGT before ultrasound changes appear.
04
Monitoring Long-Term Medications
TB medicines, statins, antiretrovirals and some other long-term medicines can all affect the liver. Baseline LFT before starting and periodic monitoring during treatment detects drug-induced liver injury before it becomes severe.
05
Abdominal Pain, Nausea, or Unexplained Weight Loss
Right upper quadrant pain, persistent nausea, or unexplained weight loss can indicate gallstones, liver tumours, or viral hepatitis. LFT is the first-line investigation for hepatobiliary symptoms, a normal LFT provides reassurance; abnormal results guide targeted imaging.
Liver Enzyme Normal Ranges
ALT (SGPT)
<40 U/L
AST (SGOT)
<40 U/L
GGT
<55 U/L
Total Bilirubin
<21 µmol/L
⚕️ ALT 3–5× upper normal limit in a hepatitis B carrier requires antiviral therapy assessment. ALT over 10× normal indicates acute hepatitis, urgent evaluation needed.
Preparation
How to Prepare for Your Liver Function Test
Fasting is required for an accurate LFT, food affects albumin, bilirubin, and ALP results.
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Fast 8 Hours Before
Fasting for 8 hours before the LFT ensures reproducible results. Albumin, ALP, and bilirubin are all affected by recent food intake. A morning appointment after overnight fast is ideal, come with water permitted. Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours before testing for accurate GGT results.
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Avoid Alcohol 24 Hours Before
Even a moderate amount of alcohol the evening before will elevate GGT and may raise AST. If you are being tested for alcohol-related liver disease, this is especially important, a single night of drinking before the test makes results uninterpretable for GGT. Total alcohol abstinence for 24 hours is essential.
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Disclose All Medications
Many medications elevate liver enzymes as a side effect: statins, antibiotics, anticonvulsants, antifungals, and herbal remedies. We need your full medication list, including over-the-counter drugs and traditional preparations, to correctly attribute any enzyme elevation to drug versus disease.
Why Choose Us
Trusted Liver Testing in Akoka & Beyond
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Full 7-Marker Panel: Nothing Omitted
Our LFT includes all seven standard markers: ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, total bilirubin, albumin, and total protein. Some labs omit GGT or albumin, but these are essential for identifying alcohol damage and chronic liver failure respectively.
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Paired with Hepatitis B & C Testing
The LFT is most meaningful when paired with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV status. We offer combined panels, so you know both the level of liver damage and its probable cause in a single visit.
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Pattern Interpretation Explained
LFT results are not just numbers: the pattern of elevation tells the clinical story. Hepatocellular pattern (high ALT/AST) vs. cholestatic pattern (high ALP/GGT/bilirubin) vs. synthetic failure (low albumin) each point to different diagnoses. We explain what your pattern means.
Prices change, so we don't print them on this page. The current price is on our live price list, or call 0816 586 6252 to ask.
When are you open?
Monday to Saturday, 9 AM to 5 PM. We are closed on Sundays and Nigerian public holidays.
How should I prepare?
See our test and scan preparation guide. Good to know for this test: 8-hour fast required. If you are unsure, message us on WhatsApp before you come.
Can I come here in an emergency?
No. We don't handle emergencies. For chest pain, difficulty breathing, signs of a stroke, heavy bleeding or any other emergency, go to the nearest hospital or call 112.
Do you accept HMO or health insurance?
Not at the moment. You pay at the clinic by cash, card, POS or bank transfer.