Marker group

Liver Enzymes

Plain-English guides to the liver enzymes markers we measure and what your results mean, written to inform the conversation with your practitioner.

Markers in this group

Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)ALT is the liver enzyme that leaks into your blood when liver cells are stressed or damaged. A result inside the range on your report is reassuring. A raised result is a signal your liver deserves a closer look, though many mild rises turn out to be temporary. Your GP weighs it against your medications, lifestyle and other liver markers before drawing any conclusions.AlbuminAlbumin is the main protein your liver makes and pours into your blood, where it keeps fluid inside your vessels and ferries vitamins and hormones around your body. A result inside the range on your report is reassuring. A low result is common and can mean several different things, so your GP reads it together with your other markers to work out the cause.Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)ALP is a protein found in both your liver and your bones, so a raised result does not automatically mean a liver problem — it can just as easily come from busy bone. Your GP uses your other markers to tell the two apart. Many of the causes are common and settle on their own.Aspartate Transaminase (AST)AST is an enzyme your liver releases into the blood when its cells are stressed or damaged. Because smaller amounts also live in your heart and muscle, a raised result is not always about the liver. A result inside the range on your report is reassuring. A raised result is worth a chat with your GP, who reads it alongside your other liver markers. Many mild rises settle once the cause, often a medication, alcohol or muscle strain, is found.Gamma-GT (GGT)GGT is a liver enzyme that is especially sensitive to alcohol and to problems with the bile ducts — the tubes that carry bile out of the liver. A result inside the range on your report is reassuring. A raised GGT on its own is not a diagnosis, but it is worth talking through with your GP alongside your other liver markers. Most causes are manageable once the reason is clear.LDHLDH is a substance that sits inside cells all over your body and leaks into the blood when cells are damaged. So a raised level is a general "something somewhere is irritated" flag, not a diagnosis on its own — it does not say where. A normal result is reassuring, and if it is up, your doctor uses other tests to pin down which part of the body is involved.Total BilirubinBilirubin is a yellow waste product made when your body breaks down old red blood cells, and your liver clears it. A result inside your report's range is reassuring. A raised result can cause jaundice — a yellowing of the skin and eyes — and has several causes, including a very common, harmless one called Gilbert syndrome.Total ProteinTotal protein adds up the two main protein groups in your blood — albumin (the main protein your liver makes) and globulins (which include your infection-fighting antibodies). A result inside the range on your report is reassuring. It is a broad screening number, so when it is off your GP looks at albumin and globulin separately to see what is behind it. On its own it rarely points to one cause.

Reading results in this group

a little low

Lower liver enzyme levels are generally not a concern and can be a normal finding.

Possible reasons:

This can reflect lab variation or individual baseline.

Next steps: Discuss with your GP if you also have symptoms or other abnormal tests.

in range

Your liver enzymes are in the expected range, indicating healthy liver function. Your liver plays a crucial role in processing nutrients and filtering substances from your blood.

Possible reasons:

Balanced alcohol intake, medications, and weight can support liver health.

Next steps: No follow-up is usually needed.

a little high

Elevated liver enzymes may be associated with various factors including fatty liver, medications, supplements, or alcohol. Most causes are identifiable and manageable. Temporary rises are common.

Your liver is resilient - elevated enzymes are often your body's way of flagging something it wants you to address.

Possible reasons:

This can relate to alcohol, medicines, body weight, recent illness, or other liver stress.

Next steps: Discuss with your GP. Trends and the pattern across markers help guide next steps.

Liver enzymes often improve within 4-8 weeks of addressing contributing factors.

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