Liver Function Tests (LFTs)
Liver function tests are a group of blood tests that measure liver enzymes and proteins, used to check for fatty liver and other liver problems linked to excess weight.
Plain English
Patient-Friendly Explanation
Liver function tests (LFTs) are a standard blood panel that looks at enzymes produced by the liver — commonly ALT, AST, GGT and ALP — along with bilirubin and proteins. Raised ALT is the most common pattern in fatty liver disease, which is closely linked to excess weight and insulin resistance. LFTs are painless, need only a blood draw, and are an important early screen because fatty liver often causes no symptoms until it is advanced.
Medical
Clinical Definition
The liver panel assesses hepatocellular injury (ALT, AST), cholestasis (ALP, GGT, bilirubin) and synthetic function (albumin, INR). In metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD, formerly NAFLD), ALT is typically mildly elevated (often 1–2× upper limit) with AST/ALT <1; higher ratios, thrombocytopenia or rising bilirubin suggest advanced fibrosis and warrant further evaluation such as FibroScan. Because ALT can be normal in a minority with significant steatosis, LFTs are interpreted alongside imaging and non-invasive fibrosis markers rather than alone.
Key Insight
Why It Matters
Fatty liver is the most common liver condition in Singapore and it is reversible — losing even 7–10% of body weight can significantly improve enzyme levels. A routine blood test tells us whether your liver needs attention.
Sources
Reviewed against standard medical references.
Medically reviewed by
Family Physician & Registered Acupuncturist, Accord Medical Clinic. MBBS (NUS), Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine (NUS), Graduate Diploma in Acupuncture (Singapore College of TCM).
Last reviewed: September 2026
This page is general health education, not medical advice. Whether any treatment is appropriate for you is a decision made in consultation after assessment.
