Hepatic Function Panel without Total Protein

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The following is a list of what is included in the item above. Click the test(s) below to view what biomarkers are measured along with an explanation of what the biomarker is measuring.

Also known as: LFTs without Total Protein, Liver Function Tests without Total Protein, Liver Panel without Total Protein

Albumin

Albumin is a protein made by the liver. A serum albumin test measures the amount of this protein in the clear liquid portion of the blood.

Alkaline Phosphatase

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is a protein found in all body tissues. Tissues with higher amounts of ALP include the liver, bile ducts, and bone.

Alt

Alanine transaminase (ALT) is an enzyme found in the highest amounts in the liver. Injury to the liver results in release of the substance into the blood.

AST

AST (aspartate aminotransferase) is an enzyme found in high amounts in liver, heart, and muscle cells. It is also found in lesser amounts in other tissues.

Bilirubin, Direct

Bilirubin is a yellowish pigment found in bile, a fluid made by the liver. A small amount of older red blood cells are replaced by new blood cells every day. Bilirubin is left after these older blood cells are removed. The liver helps break down bilirubin so that it can be removed from the body in the stool.

Bilirubin, Indirect

Bilirubin is a yellowish pigment found in bile, a fluid made by the liver. A small amount of older red blood cells are replaced by new blood cells every day. Bilirubin is left after these older blood cells are removed. The liver helps break down bilirubin so that it can be removed from the body in the stool.

Bilirubin, Total

Bilirubin is a yellowish pigment found in bile, a fluid made by the liver. A small amount of older red blood cells are replaced by new blood cells every day. Bilirubin is left after these older blood cells are removed. The liver helps break down bilirubin so that it can be removed from the body in the stool.
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The Hepatic Function Panel without Total Protein test contains 1 test with 7 biomarkers.

Brief Description: A Hepatic Function Panel, commonly known as a liver panel or liver function tests (LFTs), is a group of tests designed to give information about the state of a patient's liver. These tests typically measure liver enzymes, bilirubin, and other molecules related to liver function. When the test is labeled "without Total Protein," it indicates that the measurement for total protein is excluded from the panel.

Collection Method: Blood Draw

Specimen Type: Serum

Test Preparation: No preparation required

When and Why the Hepatic Function Panel without Total Protein Test May Be Ordered

This test is typically ordered in the following scenarios:

  • Symptoms of Liver Disease: When a patient shows signs or symptoms like jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), dark urine, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or swelling, chronic fatigue, or unexplained weight loss.

  • Monitoring: For patients on medications that might affect the liver or those who have been exposed to possible liver toxins (e.g., alcohol or certain drugs).

  • Known Liver Diseases: Monitoring the progression or treatment of known liver diseases.

  • Post Procedure Monitoring: After surgeries or procedures involving the liver.

What the Hepatic Function Panel without Total Protein Test Checks For

This panel primarily checks for:

  • Liver Enzymes: These include alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT). Elevated levels can indicate liver damage or inflammation.

  • Bilirubin: A yellow compound that the liver creates when it breaks down old red blood cells. Elevated levels can cause jaundice and may indicate problems with liver function or bile flow.

  • Albumin: While the test does not measure total protein, it often measures albumin, a significant protein made by the liver. Decreased levels can suggest liver disease or other medical conditions.

Other Lab Tests Ordered Alongside the Hepatic Function Panel without Total Protein Test

When this panel is ordered, it's often part of a broader evaluation of liver health and related conditions. Here are some tests commonly ordered alongside it:

  1. Complete Blood Count (CBC):

    • Purpose: To evaluate overall blood health, including red and white blood cells, and platelets.
    • Why Is It Ordered: To assess for anemia, infection, or other hematological abnormalities that can occur with liver disease.

  2. Prothrombin Time (PT) and International Normalized Ratio (INR):

    • Purpose: To measure how long it takes blood to clot.
    • Why Is It Ordered: Liver disease can impair the production of clotting factors, affecting blood clotting times.

  3. Albumin:

    • Purpose: To measure the level of albumin, a protein made by the liver.
    • Why Is It Ordered: To evaluate liver synthetic function, as low albumin levels can indicate liver dysfunction.

  4. Total and Direct Bilirubin:

    • Purpose: To measure the level of bilirubin in the blood.
    • Why Is It Ordered: To assess liver's ability to process and excrete bilirubin, as elevated levels can be a sign of liver disease or bile duct obstruction.

  5. Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP):

    • Purpose: To measure the level of AFP, a protein that can be elevated in liver cancer.
    • Why Is It Ordered: To screen for or monitor liver cancer, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma.

  6. Viral Hepatitis Panels (Hepatitis A, B, and C Serologies):

    • Purpose: To test for viral infections that affect the liver.
    • Why Is It Ordered: To identify or rule out viral hepatitis as a cause of liver dysfunction.

  7. Kidney Function Test:

    • Purpose: To assess kidney function.
    • Why Is It Ordered: To evaluate for complications of liver disease, such as hepatorenal syndrome.

These tests, when ordered alongside a Hepatic Function Panel without Total Protein, provide a comprehensive evaluation of liver health and can help diagnose and monitor liver diseases and related conditions. They are crucial for understanding the cause of liver dysfunction, monitoring the progression of liver disease, and guiding treatment decisions. The specific combination of tests will depend on the individual’s symptoms, clinical presentation, and suspected or known liver conditions.

Conditions or Diseases that Require the Hepatic Function Panel without Total Protein Test

This test is crucial in diagnosing, monitoring, or ruling out:

  • Hepatitis: Inflammation of the liver, which can be due to various causes, including viral infections.

  • Liver Cirrhosis: Scarring of the liver due to long-term liver damage.

  • Alcoholic Liver Disease: Damage to the liver and its function due to excessive alcohol consumption.

  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): Fat buildup in the liver not caused by alcohol.

  • Liver Tumors: Both benign and malignant tumors can affect liver function.

Usage of Hepatic Function Panel without Total Protein Test by Health Care Providers

Healthcare providers use the results to:

  • Diagnose Liver Diseases: Elevated or decreased levels can provide clues to conditions like hepatitis, cirrhosis, or fatty liver disease.

  • Monitor Disease Progression or Treatment Efficacy: For known liver diseases or conditions, periodic testing can show if the condition is getting better or worse.

  • Assess Potential Liver Damage: Especially in patients taking medications known to affect the liver.

The results must always be interpreted in the context of the clinical scenario, other diagnostic information, and a patient's history.

Most Common Questions About the Hepatic Function Panel without Total Protein test:

Purpose and Indications for the Test

Why is the Hepatic Function Panel without Total Protein test performed?

The Hepatic Function Panel without Total Protein test is performed to assess the health and function of the liver. It measures various enzymes and proteins produced by the liver, helping in diagnosing liver diseases or monitoring the effectiveness of treatments for known liver conditions.

When is the Hepatic Function Panel without Total Protein test recommended?

This test is recommended when a patient exhibits symptoms of liver dysfunction, such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), dark urine, abdominal pain, or swelling. It can also be ordered as a follow-up to abnormal results on other liver tests or to monitor individuals taking medications that can affect the liver.

Interpreting the Results

What does an abnormal result in the Hepatic Function Panel without Total Protein test indicate?

An abnormal result can suggest a liver disorder. Elevated liver enzymes, for example, might indicate liver damage or inflammation. However, the specific implications depend on which component(s) of the panel are abnormal, and results should be interpreted in the context of other clinical and diagnostic information.

Are abnormal results always indicative of a liver condition?

No, while abnormal results can suggest a liver issue, they can also be influenced by other factors, including certain medications, strenuous exercise, or other medical conditions. It's crucial to consider the overall clinical picture when interpreting results.

Implications and Management

How does the Hepatic Function Panel without Total Protein test assist in treatment decisions?

This test helps physicians determine the severity and type of liver condition. Depending on the results, a healthcare provider might adjust medication dosages, recommend lifestyle changes, or consider further diagnostic tests to pinpoint the exact cause of liver dysfunction.

How frequently should the Hepatic Function Panel without Total Protein test be repeated?

The frequency depends on the clinical scenario. For patients with known liver conditions or those on certain medications, regular monitoring might be needed. For others, it may be repeated only if symptoms worsen or new symptoms develop.

Test Mechanisms and Specifics

How does the Hepatic Function Panel without Total Protein test differ from other liver function tests?

The Hepatic Function Panel without Total Protein specifically omits the measurement of total protein. Other liver function tests might include total protein or other components to give a more comprehensive view of liver health. The choice of test depends on what specific information the physician is seeking.

Why might the Total Protein be excluded from the panel?

While total protein levels can provide insight into liver function, they can also be influenced by factors unrelated to the liver, such as kidney function or nutritional status. In some scenarios, it might be preferable to exclude this measurement to focus specifically on markers directly related to liver health.

Additional Information

Are there other tests that might be ordered alongside the Hepatic Function Panel without Total Protein?

Yes, depending on the clinical scenario, tests like a complete blood count (CBC), lipid profile, or tests for specific liver diseases (like hepatitis serologies) might be ordered to provide a more comprehensive view of a patient's health.

We advise having your results reviewed by a licensed medical healthcare professional for proper interpretation of your results.

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