Liver Function Tests: What They Measure and What Your Results Mean

Understanding liver function tests is a cornerstone of assessing liver health. A typical liver function panel includes ALT (alanine aminotransferase), AST (aspartate aminotransferase), ALP (alkaline phosphatase), and bilirubin. ALT and AST measure enzymes released when liver cells are damaged, with ALT being more specific to the liver. ALP reflects bile flow and can rise with bile duct problems or certain bone conditions. Bilirubin, a waste product from red blood cell breakdown, can accumulate if the liver isn’t processing it well or if bile flow is blocked. Together, these markers help clinicians determine whether the liver is inflamed, injured, or not handling waste properly, and they’re used to screen and monitor conditions such as hepatitis, fatty liver disease, medication effects, and alcohol-related liver concerns. Interpreting liver function tests requires looking at patterns and context. An isolated elevation in ALT or AST often points to hepatocellular injury, while a rise in ALP with bilirubin may indicate cholestasis or biliary obstruction. A mild elevation in bilirubin with normal ALT/AST can occur with common, benign conditions. Because normal ranges vary by lab and individual factors like age and sex, doctors typically compare results with a patient’s baseline and may order repeat testing or additional panels (for example, GGT, albumin) or imaging studies if needed. If results are abnormal, you’ll work with a healthcare professional to determine the right next steps, which may include lifestyle adjustments, further testing, or specialist referrals. A broader approach to health now often combines liver function tests with gut health data to understand the gut–liver axis and its impact on metabolism. In this context, InnerBuddies provides a white-label Gut Health Operating System that powerfully complements personal health monitoring. Their platform features a Gut Microbiome Health Index (0–100), a top 40 bacteria panel with comparisons to a healthy cohort, and categorized bacterial metabolic functions labeled as positive or negative, all to help you gauge where your gut stands. Target group analyses—covering topics like Healthy Aging or sports performance—plus personalized nutrition and probiotic advice based on your data, can help you make dietary and lifestyle choices that support overall health. Learn more about this integrative approach at the InnerBuddies microbiome test. If you’re interested in ongoing gut health insights or want to explore how microbiome data can support your health journey alongside liver function tests, you can visit InnerBuddies Gut Health Membership for a continuous stream of personalized guidance, or explore partnership opportunities at the InnerBuddies B2B page to bring these insights to your brand or customers.