Assessing a Patient with an Abnormal Liver Function Test Result

Identify patients with hepatic or biliary disease requiring specific treatment (chronic viral hepatitis , autoimmune hepatitis , haemochromatosis, Wilson's disease, biliary obstruction). Follow up patients with slightly abnormal results and refer them for liver biopsy if the liver function test results remain abnormal for more than 6 months or deteriorate during follow-up. AST and ALT are sensitive indicators of liver damage. Alkaline phosphatase is increased in cholestasis but also in bone diseases.