title: What is the purpose of liver function tests?
abstract: The liver is the body's largest single discrete organ. It has four major functions: metabolism and synthesis; excretion; storage; and the detoxification of potential poisons. These diverse functions mean that a single test does not give enough information to assess fully how the liver is functioning; at least five different liver function tests are required. This article, part 2 in a four-part series, discusses the information on acute and chronic liver disease that these tests can provide, and how disease affects liver function.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Blann
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000451:nursing; D008111:Liver Function Tests / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers