Mascot Healthcare · Akoka, Lagos

Liver
Function Test
LFT Panel

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.

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Markers in
One Panel

Same-day

Results
Available

8h fast

Required
Before Test

LFT Result

ALT (SGPT)

87 U/L

Elevated — liver inflammation likely

Elevated ⚠

Normal ALT: <40 U/L · GGT, Bilirubin also tested

Also Tested

AST · GGT · Bili

About the Test

Seven Markers. Complete Hepatic Profile.

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

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.

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.

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.

Monitoring Long-Term Medications

Antituberculosis drugs (isoniazid, rifampicin), statins, antiretrovirals, methotrexate, and carbamazepine are all potentially hepatotoxic. Baseline LFT before starting and periodic monitoring during treatment detects drug-induced liver injury before it becomes severe.

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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Same-Day Results

Liver function results are processed the same day. Patients on hepatitis treatment or monitoring medication toxicity can receive results and discuss with their doctor the same visit — without waiting days for a report.

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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.

"I'm hepatitis B positive and monitor my LFT every 6 months. Mascot Healthcare always does the full panel — ALT, GGT, albumin, bilirubin, everything. When my ALT crept up last year they explained what that meant for my management. That monitoring kept me from needing treatment I might otherwise have delayed."

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E. Adeyemi

Patient, Bariga · 2025

4,000+

LFT Tests Done

4.9★

Patient Rating

7 Markers

Full Panel

Same-day

Results

Book Your Liver Function Test

Your Liver Works Hard. Test It Regularly.

Walk in or book ahead. Located at 52 Sholanke Street, Off Chemist Junction, Akoka, Lagos.

Monday – Saturday · 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Closed Sundays & Public Holidays

08165866252 WhatsApp Us Book Online

8-hour fast required · Same-day results · Walk-ins welcome

LiverFunction TestLFT Panel