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Liver Function Tests Explained: What ALT, AST, GGT and More Mean in Your Blood Test

Liver function tests (LFTs) are one of the most commonly ordered blood panels in Australian pathology. They appear on your results as a cluster of markers — ALT, AST, GGT, ALP, albumin, bilirubin, total protein — that together give a picture of how your liver is performing. But most people receive their results with little explanation of what each number actually means, why it matters, or what patterns to watch for over time. This guide covers every marker in a standard liver panel, the calculated ratios clinicians use to interpret them, what abnormal results may indicate, and how to have a more informed conversation with your GP.