Liver Function Tests: What They Reveal About Your Health

When your doctor orders liver function tests, a group of blood tests that measure enzymes, proteins, and substances made by the liver. Also known as liver panel, it’s one of the most common ways to check how well your liver is working—before you even feel sick. This isn’t just a routine checkup item. It’s a early warning system for things like hepatitis, fatty liver, alcohol damage, or even side effects from medications you’re taking.

These tests don’t just look at one thing. They track several key markers. ALT, an enzyme mostly found in the liver that spikes when liver cells are damaged, tells you if something’s hurting your liver right now. AST, another enzyme that shows up in liver damage but also in muscles and the heart, helps confirm if the problem is liver-specific. Then there’s bilirubin, a waste product your liver processes—if it builds up, you might start looking yellow. And alkaline phosphatase, an enzyme linked to bile ducts, can signal blockages or bone issues. These numbers don’t work alone. Doctors compare them, track changes over time, and tie them to your symptoms, meds, or lifestyle.

Many of the posts here tie directly to liver health. For example, metformin can affect liver enzymes over time, and levothyroxine absorption issues might show up in abnormal liver tests. Even generic medications can cause unexpected reactions in people with underlying liver conditions. And if you’re taking something like bupropion or azilsartan, your liver is processing it—so a simple blood test can catch problems before they get serious. Supplements aren’t safe just because they’re natural—some can stress your liver, and that’s why understanding these tests matters.

You don’t need to be sick to get these tests. They’re often part of annual checkups, especially if you drink alcohol, take daily meds, have diabetes, or are overweight. But even if you feel fine, abnormal results can point to hidden issues—like early fatty liver disease, which affects nearly one in three adults. The good news? Catching it early means you can reverse it with diet, exercise, or cutting back on alcohol. No surgery. No miracle pills. Just smart changes.

What you’ll find in the posts below are real stories, real data, and real advice about how medications, supplements, and health conditions interact with your liver. From how alcohol changes test results to why vitamin B12 deficiency might show up alongside liver problems, this collection gives you the tools to understand what your lab report actually means—and what to do next.