Liver Function Panel Test | Liver Profile Test

Liver Function Test Panel

Gain insights into your liver health by measuring levels of key enzymes and proteins that are produced by the liver: total protein, albumin, globulin, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, indirect bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT). These markers, as well as a platelet count and a risk calculation called the FIB-4 Index, may help you and your healthcare provider determine the health status of your liver. A well-functioning liver is essential to a healthy body. Read more

Test details

Sample type:

Blood

Preparation:

No special preparation is required.

Test type: In Person

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$119.00

+ $6.00 Physician Service Fee

Quantity

About the test

The liver is an organ that performs many important functions for the body. In addition to filtering the body’s blood supply, the liver also makes proteins and hormones that are used by your body, regulates chemicals in the blood and maintains blood volume, and stores vital vitamins and energy sources. Liver issues often have no physical signs or symptoms in early stages and can be caused by a range of reasons including viruses, metabolic dysfunction, alcohol intake, autoimmune and immune conditions, genetic conditions, medications, and other rare conditions.

This liver enzyme panel measures key liver biomarkers: total protein, albumin, globulin, albumin/globulin ratio, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, indirect bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), platelet count, and FIB-4 Index. Evaluating the results of these blood tests, along with any present symptoms, can help your doctor diagnose or rule out conditions of the liver.

Whether you are worried about your liver health due to specific risk factors or just looking to check in on key levels relevant to this vital organ, this panel gives you access to meaningful insights with no doctor’s visit required to purchase. Simply buy this liver panel online, visit a nearby Quest location, and get fast results. After you have received your results, you have the ability to discuss them with an independent healthcare provider at no extra cost.

This test may be right for you if any of the following are true:

You are curious about the function and health of your liver
You have been previously diagnosed with a liver condition and wish to monitor your levels
You are experiencing any of the signs and symptoms listed below
You have risk factors for liver conditions such as:
- Overweight/Obesity
- Prediabetes or type 2 diabetes
- Dyslipidemia
- Hypertension
- Three or more metabolic syndrome symptoms which include excess body fat around the waist, high blood glucose, low “good” HDL cholesterol levels, high triglycerides levels, or high blood pressure
- Heavy alcohol use
- Have had recent or high level of ingestion of substances that can cause liver toxicity including acetaminophen, herbal supplements or prescription medications (e.g. immune checkpoint inhibitors)
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
- Chronic viral infections including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hepatitis D
- Hemochromatosis
- Wilson's disease
- Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
- Autoimmune hepatitis, Primary biliary cholangitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis
- Celiac disease
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) – Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis

This test may NOT be right for you if you are experiencing yellowing of the eyes or skin, which could indicate hepatitis (which is an infectious disease requiring urgent evaluation). Seek care with a healthcare provider immediately.

This liver function panel measures levels of the following markers related to liver health:

The total protein test measures the total amount of 2 types of proteins found in your blood, albumin and globulin. Abnormal total protein levels may be a sign of liver disease.

Albumin is a protein produced by the liver and secreted into the bloodstream. Albumin is the main protein circulating in your blood; provides tissue nourishment, carries hormones, medications, and other substances in the blood; and helps keep fluids within the bloodstream rather than leaking into other tissues.

Globulin is not measured directly. It is calculated as the difference between the total protein and the albumin levels. The globulins are a group of about 60 different proteins that are part of the immune system, which helps to fight and prevent infections. The globulins also play an important role in blood clotting and serve as carrier proteins for hormones.

An alternative way to tell if the albumin or globulin levels in the blood are abnormal is to compare the level of albumin to the level of globulin. If both the albumin and globulin results fall within the specified reference ranges, then a high or low A/G ratio result is not generally considered significant. A high globulin level and low albumin/globulin ratio may suggest high production of globulin that may be due to chronic infections, autoimmune disease, multiple myeloma, and other medical conditions.

A waste product made when red blood cells die and break down. Higher levels of bilirubin can mean that your body has a disorder resulting in destruction of red blood cells, that red blood cells are breaking down too quickly, or that your liver isn’t working well.

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme found throughout the body, primarily in the liver and bones, that plays a key role in breaking down proteins. Elevated ALP levels may also suggest cholestasis.

Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) is an enzyme found primarily in the liver, but also in other tissues, including the muscles, brain, heart, kidneys, pancreas, and red blood cells. AST, which plays a key role in breaking down proteins for energy production, is released into the blood when such tissues are damaged. High AST levels may be a sign of damage to the liver or other tissues.

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is an enzyme found primarily in the liver and, to a lesser degree, the muscles, heart, kidneys, and pancreas. ALT helps the liver break down proteins, increasing your body's ability to absorb them. High ALT levels may be a sign of liver damage or a liver condition.

A platelet count measures the number of platelets per microliter in your blood sample. Platelets, alternatively referred to as thrombocytes, are small blood cells that assist in stopping bleeding by swelling and clumping together to create a clot. Additionally, platelets store and transport a variety of substances such as serotonin, epinephrine, and histamine. Measuring platelet count is an important, indirect marker for looking at liver health, especially in long term liver disease and cirrhosis. While platelets are not made by the liver, low platelet levels can be a common early sign of advanced liver disease.

The FIB-4 Index is a score calculated using age, AST and ALT levels, and platelet count, to estimate the risk of advanced liver fibrosis.

GGT is an enzyme found mainly in the liver, and it plays an important role in removing harmful substances from the body. Higher levels of GGT are often related to issues such as liver disease from metabolic risk factors, excessive alcohol consumption, hepatitis, or other liver damage or disease.

Liver disease often has no signs or symptoms, especially in the early stages. If left untreated, liver disease can often progress and may show signs and symptoms listed below:

Fatigue
Skin changes including jaundice (yellowing of skin/eyes), itchiness, spider veins, and blotchy, red palms
Dark-colored urine
Light-colored stool
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea
Abdominal pain

You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a test on questhealth.com. This test requires specimen collection at a Quest Diagnostics location or through Quest Mobile™, a convenient option for in-home sample collection*. Collection not available in AK, AZ, or HI.

*Check your zip code here for service availability, not available in all locations.

No special preparation is required.

After you provide your specimen, it generally takes up to 5 business days to process and release your test results. However, processing times may vary. Your test results will be available in a clear and easy-to-read report. If your results differ from expected ranges, you may receive an alert call from an independent healthcare coordinator. Independent healthcare providers are available to discuss questions or concerns you may have regarding your results.

Abnormal results may mean you have a medical condition resulting in liver injury. Causes may include but are not limited to MASLD (Metabolic dysfunction–Associated Steatotic Liver Disease), viral hepatitis (liver inflammation due to a virus), alcohol-related liver disease, autoimmune and immune-mediated liver disease, genetic conditions impacting the liver such as hemochromatosis, Wilson disease, Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, drug-induced liver injury (DILI) and supplement use. Borderline abnormal results for individual markers may be related to nutrition status, stress, recent illness, infection or biological variation.

How it works

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Complete your test sample collection during your scheduled appointment.

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Access results online as soon as they’re available. You will be emailed when they are ready. Discuss your results with an independent physician at no extra cost. Treatment options may be available.

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+ in-home sample collection

No doctor visit required for purchase. If in-home service is available in your area, purchase for an additional $79 fee.

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Register your test
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After you make a purchase, register your test and Quest Mobile will contact you to schedule an in-home sample collection appointment.

In-home sample collection

A Quest Mobile phlebotomist will collect your sample and deliver it to Quest Diagnostics.

Get fast results

Access results online as soon as they’re available. You will be emailed when they are ready. Discuss your results with an independent physician at no extra cost. Treatment options may be available.

FAQs

What are enzymes?

An enzyme is a protein that helps to start, or speed up, a reaction in the body.

What are cirrhosis and fibrosis?

Fibrosis occurs when healthy tissue is injured and is replaced by scar tissue. Liver fibrosis is classified into stages F0 to F4. The amount of scar tissue you have will determine what stage you fall into. Stage F0 is a healthy liver with no scarring. Stages F1-3 have varying degrees of worsening fibrosis. When fibrosis advances to stage F4, it is consistent with cirrhosis.

Cirrhosis is advanced scarring caused by continuous, long-term liver damage. Scar tissue replaces healthy tissue in the liver, which results in lumps (nodules) and may affect blood flow. These changes prevent the liver from working properly and can also increase cancer risk for certain liver cancers.

Can cirrhosis and fibrosis be treated or reversed?

Fibrosis can be treated and reversed if it is diagnosed early, and the underlying cause of liver injury is addressed. Reversing the severity of cirrhosis is possible but limited. Early or asymptomatic cirrhosis may get better, but late or symptomatic cirrhosis rarely does. With cirrhosis, even if the liver scarring regresses, the cancer risk related to cirrhosis and some changes to liver blood flow can remain.

Further liver damage can be avoided by diagnosing and treating the underlying cause of liver injury.

How does the FIB-4 Index score work?

The FIB-4 index is calculated based on alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and platelets. These levels, together with age, can help your healthcare provider determine if you are at a higher risk for advanced liver fibrosis.

Does this test aid in the diagnosis of MASLD/MASH (formerly NAFLD/NASH)?

No. While this test does include markers that may be altered in people with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), it is only used to assess the risk (FIB-4 index) of advanced liver fibrosis. This Liver Function Test Panel does not include Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELF) testing which predicts progression to cirrhosis and liver-related events in patients with advanced fibrosis due to MASLD/MASH. If you are interested in the ELF test, Quest offers the Advanced Fatty Liver Test Panel.

Can I use my FSA or HSA funds to purchase tests on questhealth.com?

You may be able to use your FSA or HSA funds to purchase lab tests at questhealth.com. Please review your FSA/HSA plan or check with a tax professional to confirm specific requirements for individual eligibility.

Our references

Cleveland Clinic. Liver: What it Does, Disorders & Symptoms, Staying Healthy. Accessed July 9, 2025. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/21481-liver
Cleveland Clinic: Liver Function Tests: Types, Purpose & Results Interpretation. Accessed July 9, 2025. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/17662-liver-function-tests
MedlinePlus. Liver Function Tests. Accessed July 9, 2025. https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/liver-function-tests/
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics. Chronic Liver Disease or Cirrhosis. Accessed July 9, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/liver-disease.htm
Cleveland Clinic. Liver Disease: Signs & Symptoms, Causes, Stages, Treatment. Accessed July 9, 2025. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17179-liver-disease
Mayo Clinic. Liver problems – Symptoms and causes. Accessed July 9, 2025. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/liver-problems/symptoms-causes/syc-20374502#:~:text=Liver%20problems%20that%20can%20occur,Bruising%20easily.
Shah AG, Lydecker A, Murray K, Tetri BN, Contos MJ, Sanyal AJ; Nash Clinical Research Network. Comparison of noninvasive markers of fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2009 Oct;7(10):1104-12. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2009.05.033. Epub 2009 Jun 10. PMID: 19523535; PMCID: PMC3079239.

Tests purchased on questhealth.com are only for individuals who intend to pay directly for testing and do not want to submit a claim for reimbursement under their health insurance.

Liver Function Test Panel