Liver function tests are a blood panel that checks how well your liver is working, by measuring enzymes, proteins and bilirubin it produces. They're commonly used to investigate symptoms such as fatigue or abdominal discomfort, to monitor alcohol intake or medication that affects the liver, or as part of routine health screening. The panel costs £72.50, plus a £50 blood-draw fee, with results back within 1 day. Walk in or book online at 117a Harley Street, seven days a week, with no GP referral needed.
Doctors often request liver function tests to investigate unexplained tiredness, nausea, itching, abdominal pain, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
The panel is also used to monitor people who drink alcohol regularly, take medication known to affect the liver such as certain statins or long-term painkillers, or who have a diagnosed liver condition like fatty liver disease.
Many people request it as part of routine health screening, since early liver changes rarely cause obvious symptoms and a blood test can flag a problem well before it would otherwise be noticed.
No special preparation is listed for this profile, and most people do not need to fast beforehand. Alcohol in the day or two before the test can affect some of the results, so mention your recent alcohol intake to the phlebotomist, and follow any specific instruction from your doctor.
Raised liver enzymes such as ALT, AST or Gamma GT commonly reflect inflammation or stress on liver cells, which can have many causes, from alcohol and certain medicines to viral infection or fatty liver disease. A raised alkaline phosphatase or bilirubin can point instead towards the bile ducts. Our guide to liver function test results explains each marker and the common reasons for a mild rise.
Low albumin can reflect reduced liver function, poor nutrition or a chronic illness, while the pattern across all eight markers, rather than any single result, is usually what a clinician looks at first. Your laboratory report will show the reference range for each marker. If any of your results sit outside range, arrange a doctor's appointment to discuss what has caused it and whether further tests are needed.
If you want these markers alongside a doctor's examination and a wider health assessment, compare the Full Body MOT health check.
Written by Mr Stephen Lingam. Reviewed by Dr Mohammad Bakhtiar (GMC 4694470) on 24/09/2026.
Alcohol, some medicines, recent illness and even strenuous exercise can all temporarily affect these markers. It's worth mentioning anything unusual to the phlebotomist, and to whoever reviews your results, so it can be taken into account.
The blood test on its own does not give a diagnosis. It flags a pattern that a doctor then interprets alongside your symptoms, history and sometimes further tests such as a scan.
No fasting is required for this profile, though if your doctor has given you other instructions, follow those instead.
Results are typically back within 1 day of your sample being taken at 117a Harley Street.