When a doctor orders an LFT, they are asking for several measurements from a blood sample. The exact list can vary, but often includes liver enzymes, bilirubin and a protein called albumin. Your prescription tells the laboratory which panel to run. Bring earlier reports to your follow-up if your clinician is checking whether a previous finding has changed.

Several markers can be raised or lowered for different reasons, so your doctor will look at the pattern across the panel. They may compare the report with earlier results or recommend another test depending on your symptoms and health history. If an LFT has been ordered together with other blood work, check the preparation instructions for the whole visit, including whether your clinician has requested a fasting sample. When collecting the report, check that it includes all the markers requested on your prescription so your doctor can review the full panel.