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General health · results in 1–3 days

Liver Function Blood Test in Croydon

Liver function tests (LFTs) measure the enzymes and proteins that show how healthy your liver is. They can pick up inflammation, damage from alcohol or fatty liver, and problems with bile flow.

  • Price: £70
  • Results: usually 1–3 days
  • Visit: about 15 minutes
  • Referral: not needed

What it measures

  • ALT
  • AST
  • ALP (alkaline phosphatase)
  • GGT
  • Bilirubin
  • Albumin

Who it’s for

  • Drinking alcohol regularly
  • Being overweight or worried about fatty liver
  • Taking medicines that can affect the liver
  • Yellowing skin or eyes, dark urine, itching or pain under your right ribs

What each marker means

ALT and AST are enzymes that leak into the blood when liver cells are irritated or damaged; ALT is the more liver-specific of the two. ALP and GGT rise when bile can’t drain freely, and GGT is particularly sensitive to alcohol. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment the liver clears; a mildly raised bilirubin on its own is often Gilbert’s syndrome, a harmless inherited condition affecting about one in 20 people. Albumin is a protein made by the liver and reflects how well it’s working overall.

Fatty liver: common and often silent

Fatty liver linked to weight and metabolism (now called MASLD, previously NAFLD) may affect up to one in five people in the UK, usually without symptoms. A mildly raised ALT is often the first clue. Losing even 7 to 10% of your body weight can reduce liver fat significantly.

How to prepare

  • Drink a couple of glasses of water beforehand: it makes the sample quicker and easier to take.
  • No fasting needed. Eat and drink as normal.
  • Avoid alcohol for 24 hours before your test if you can.

How it works at our Croydon clinic

  1. Book online

    Choose your test and a time that suits you. No GP referral needed.

  2. A 15-minute visit

    A trained clinician takes a small blood sample at 169 Shirley Road, Croydon. Tell us if you’re nervous.

  3. Results in 1–3 days

    A clear report showing each result against its reference range.

  4. Next steps

    Share your report with your GP, who can arrange NHS follow-up if anything needs it.

Good to know: share any result outside the reference range with your GP, who can arrange NHS follow-up if it’s needed.

Questions

Can a blood test show fatty liver?

A raised ALT or GGT can suggest it, but a normal result doesn’t rule it out. An ultrasound scan of the liver is the usual next step if your doctor suspects it.

Should I stop drinking before the test?

Avoiding alcohol for 24 hours helps, but the test is most useful when it reflects your usual habits. Be honest with your GP about how much you normally drink when you discuss your results.

How much is a Liver Function Test in Croydon?

£70 at our clinic at 169 Shirley Road, Croydon, including taking your blood sample and your report.

How quickly will I get my results?

Usually within 1 to 3 days, in a clear report showing each result against its reference range.

Book your Liver Function Test

£70 at 169 Shirley Road, Croydon. Results usually in 1–3 days.

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