A finger-prick liver function test from courierpharmacy.co.uk that measures ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, bilirubin, albumin and globulin to support liver health checks and medicine monitoring, with a free follow up consultation
If you want a clear, practical snapshot of liver health, then try the liver function test home blood test kit.. It checks the key enzymes and proteins to assess liver health. This liver function test looks at inflammation patterns, bile flow patterns, and liver protein production. It’s designed for men who want reassurance, a baseline, or a sensible way to monitor changes over time. [4]
It’s also commonly used when you’re about to start (or are already taking) medicines that can affect the liver. For example, oral terbinafine for fungal nail infections. It can affect the liver, so baseline and symptom-led monitoring matters.[3]
Your sample is analysed by Viva Health Laboratories, and results are typically available within 48 hours of the lab receiving your sample. Every kit includes a free follow up consultation, so you’re not left staring at a PDF like it’s a cryptic crossword.
What you get: finger-prick kit, lancets, collection tube(s), instructions, return packaging
What it measures: ALT, ALB, ALP, AST, GGT, GLOB, TBIL, total protein
If you want a sensible check-in on liver health (or you’ve been told you need baseline bloods before starting a medicine), a liver function test from courierpharmacy.co.uk is a simple finger-prick home blood test kit that measures key liver enzymes and proteins. Your results can help you spot patterns that may need a chat with a clinician, and you’ll also get a free follow up consultation to talk through what the numbers might mean for you next. [1] [2]
What this page covers (and how to use it)
In this deep dive, we’ll walk through what’s in the kit, what it checks (ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, bilirubin, albumin and globulin), how to do the finger-prick sample, what your results can and can’t tell you, and when to get proper medical help. We’ll also cover a very common real-world reason people test: baseline and monitoring bloods when starting certain medicines that can affect the liver, such as oral terbinafine for fungal nail infections.[3]
Five key takeaways
A liver function test is a pattern, not one number
Finger-prick testing is simple and quick
Medicines can shift liver markers
Borderline results often need a repeat
Results are best read with symptoms
A liver function test is less like a single “pass/fail” and more like a dashboard. One marker can be a bit off for a harmless reason, but a pattern across ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, bilirubin and proteins can point to the next sensible step.[4]
Finger-prick kits are designed to be practical. Warm hands, a calm setup, and posting it back early in the week usually makes the whole thing smooth. (The number one enemy of home testing is doing it in a rush five minutes before you need to leave the house.)
Some medicines can nudge liver enzymes up, especially in the first weeks or months. That doesn’t always mean “damage”, but it does mean you should disclose all medicines and supplements during your follow up so the result is interpreted properly.[4] Terbinafine is a classic example where baseline LFTs are often considered, particularly if you have risk factors or symptoms.[3]
Borderline results are common. If you’ve had a recent viral illness, a heavy weekend, intense exercise, or you’re taking certain supplements, you can see mild changes. A repeat test after a short interval (and avoiding obvious confounders) is often the boring-but-correct move. [4]
Finally, numbers without context can be misleading. Symptoms like jaundice, dark urine, pale stools, severe abdominal pain, confusion, vomiting blood, or black stools are not “wait and see” situations. A home kit is for monitoring and planning, not emergencies.
How often should you test?
How often you should do a liver function test depends on your goal.
Baseline check: once, then repeat if borderline or symptoms change
Lifestyle monitoring (weight loss, alcohol reduction, new supplements): consider re-testing in 8–12 weeks
Medicine monitoring: follow your prescriber’s plan; some medicines warrant baseline and repeat testing if symptoms occur
If you’re starting oral terbinafine, the BNF highlights the importance of being alert to hepatic effects and stopping if symptoms suggest liver problems. In real life, many clinicians use baseline LFTs and repeat testing if you develop symptoms (or have risk factors). [3] Your follow up consultation is the right place to align your results with your personal risk.
When should you test?
Best time of day: Any time is usually fine for LFTs, but try to be consistent if you’re tracking trends
Fasting: Not usually required for liver function tests, unless you’re combining with other markers that need fasting
When to repeat: If mildly abnormal, repeating after 2–4 weeks (with clinician guidance) can help confirm if it’s a blip or a trend
Remember: heavy exercise, recent illness, alcohol, and some medicines/supplements can affect results, so note anything relevant before your follow up.[4]
Overview: Liver function test
Checks key liver enzymes and proteins
Helps spot inflammation vs bile flow patterns
Useful for baseline and monitoring trends
Results need symptoms and history for meaning
Includes free follow up consultation
This liver function test measures enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP, GGT) and other markers (bilirubin, albumin, globulin) that together give a useful overview of liver cell stress, bile duct flow patterns, and liver protein production. It’s not a diagnosis in itself, but it is a strong starting point. [4]
Why do these markers matter?
ALT and AST often rise when liver cells are irritated or inflamed. ALP and GGT can be more suggestive of bile duct involvement (especially when they rise together). Bilirubin is a breakdown product of red blood cells that your body processes and clears. Albumin and globulin help with the “how well is the liver making proteins?” side of the story. [4]
Who benefits most?
People who want a baseline, people with symptoms that could be liver-related (like persistent fatigue, itching, right-sided abdominal discomfort, yellowing of skin/eyes), those who drink alcohol regularly, and men starting medicines where liver monitoring is part of safe care.
What can a result tell you? It can show whether your markers are within the lab reference range, mildly raised, or significantly abnormal. It can also show patterns that suggest the next best step (repeat test, GP review, medication review, further bloods, or imaging). What it can’t do is diagnose the exact cause on its own.
What to do next depends on the result and how you feel. If your results are normal and you feel well, you may simply keep them as a baseline. If something is borderline, repeating and reviewing lifestyle/meds is often sensible. If results are clearly abnormal or if you have red-flag symptoms, you should seek a clinician’s assessment promptly.
Active markers in the at home liver function test
This liver function test includes ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, total bilirubin, albumin, globulin and total protein. In plain English, you can think of these as:
Liver cell “stress” markers (ALT, AST)
Bile flow markers (ALP, GGT)
Processing/clearance marker (bilirubin)
Protein production and immune-protein context (albumin, globulin)
A single mildly abnormal marker can occur for many reasons. The value is in the pattern, your symptoms, your medicines, and what’s changed recently (illness, alcohol, training, weight loss, supplements).
Included marker explanations (plain English)
Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)
Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) is an enzyme found mostly in liver cells and is measured in blood. It helps with processing amino acids and can indicate liver cell health. Raised ALT often reflects liver cell injury from viruses, fatty liver, alcohol, some medicines, or inflammation. [4]
Mild rises may be seen with muscle injury, but ALT is more specific to the liver than some other enzymes. Low ALT is not usually a concern. Clinicians request ALT when they want to check liver health because of symptoms like jaundice, abdominal pain, tiredness, or when monitoring medicines that can affect the liver. It is usually checked with other liver tests. [4]
Albumin
Albumin is a protein made by the liver and measured in a blood sample. It helps keep fluid in the blood vessels and carries many substances around the body. [4]
Low albumin can suggest liver disease, poor nutrition, or that your kidneys are losing protein. Low levels can also occur with inflammation or after major surgery. [4]
High albumin is uncommon and usually suggests dehydration. Clinicians request albumin to check liver health, nutrition, and fluid balance. It is often done with other liver and kidney tests to give a fuller picture. [4]
Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme measured in blood that comes mainly from the liver and bones. It supports bile flow from the liver and is involved in bone growth and repair.[4]
High levels can suggest blockage of the bile ducts, liver disease, bone conditions like Paget’s disease, bone growth in children, or pregnancy. Mild rises can also follow some medicines. [4]
Low levels are less common but can be seen with malnutrition or certain genetic conditions. Clinicians request ALP when checking liver health, investigating jaundice or bone pain, or monitoring bone or liver conditions. It is usually done alongside other liver and bone tests.[4]
Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)
Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) is an enzyme measured in blood that is present in the liver, heart, and muscle. It plays a role in cellular energy production. [4]
Raised AST can indicate liver injury, muscle damage, or heart problems such as a heart attack. [4]
The pattern of AST compared with ALT helps clinicians decide whether the liver or another tissue is affected. Low levels are not usually important. Clinicians request AST when checking liver health, investigating chest pain, or when there is muscle pain or weakness. It is usually measured alongside other liver and muscle tests. [4]
Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT)
Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) is an enzyme measured in blood that is found in the liver and bile ducts. It helps with processing drugs and toxins.[4]
High GGT often points to bile duct problems, liver disease, or alcohol-related liver strain. [4]
It can help confirm that a raised ALP is coming from the liver rather than the bone. Mild increases can be caused by certain medicines. Low GGT is usually not significant. Clinicians request GGT when investigating abnormal liver tests, jaundice, or possible alcohol-related liver injury. [4]
Globulin
Globulin is a group of proteins measured in blood that includes antibodies and proteins important for immunity and transport. Globulins help fight infection, carry hormones and vitamins, and support blood clotting. [4]
High globulin levels can indicate chronic inflammation, infection, immune disorders, or certain blood cancers. Low globulin can suggest poor immune function, liver disease, or loss of proteins through the kidneys or gut.[4]
Clinicians measure globulin as part of a total protein check when investigating repeated infections, unexplained weight loss, liver problems, or abnormal blood tests. [4]
Total Bilirubin
Total Bilirubin is a measure in blood of a pigment made when old red blood cells are broken down. The liver processes bilirubin so the body can get rid of it. [4]
High bilirubin can cause yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) and may indicate liver disease, blocked bile ducts, increased breakdown of red blood cells, or a harmless inherited condition such as Gilbert’s syndrome. [4]
Low bilirubin is generally not a clinical concern. Clinicians request bilirubin when you have jaundice, pale stools or dark urine, abdominal pain, or abnormal liver tests.
Total protein
Total Protein is a blood test that looks at the total amount of two main proteins: albumin and globulins.
These proteins do a lot of the body’s day-to-day “housekeeping”, including:
keeping fluid in the right places (so it doesn’t leak into tissues)
carrying hormones and some medicines around the body
supporting your immune system to help fight infection
Low Total Protein can be linked to things like:
not getting enough protein in your diet (or not absorbing it well)
liver problems (reduced protein production)
kidney issues where protein is lost in urine
digestive conditions that reduce absorption
High Total Protein is often seen with:
dehydration (the blood becomes more concentrated)
long-term inflammation or infection
some blood disorders where extra antibodies are produced
Clinicians usually request Total Protein to help check nutrition, and to support assessment of liver and kidney function—especially if there’s unexplained swelling, weight loss, or signs of infection. It’s commonly interpreted alongside other liver and kidney markers to work out what’s driving an abnormal result. [4]
What is the liver function test used for?
A liver function test is often used to provide a baseline view of liver health or when something prompts a check. That “something” might be symptoms (like ongoing fatigue, nausea, itching, abdominal discomfort, or jaundice), a known risk factor (such as higher alcohol intake or metabolic health concerns), or a medicine plan that benefits from monitoring.
It can help support conversations about whether liver inflammation is likely, whether there’s a bile-flow pattern, or whether liver protein production looks affected. It can’t confirm a diagnosis like fatty liver disease, hepatitis, or bile duct obstruction on its own, but it can tell you whether you need proper clinical follow up.
If you feel acutely unwell, have severe abdominal pain, confusion, vomiting blood, black stools, or new jaundice, don’t use a home kit as your first move. That’s urgent assessment territory.
How does the liver function test work?
This is a finger-prick home blood test kit. You collect a small blood sample at home, place it in the provided packaging, and send it to the lab. The laboratory analyses the sample using validated methods.
The lab measures enzyme activity (ALT, AST, ALP, GGT) and concentrations of bilirubin and proteins (albumin, globulin). Your results are then reported with reference ranges, and you can use the free follow up consultation to interpret them in context.
Context matters more than people expect. A recent cold, a hard gym session, dehydration, alcohol, and certain medicines can all shift results. Even the “normal range” is a range, not a personal target. If you’re tracking trends, try to test under similar conditions each time. [4]
If you’re testing for medicine monitoring (like terbinafine), the key is to combine the numbers with symptoms. Liver-related symptoms while on a medicine should be taken seriously, even if a previous test was fine. [4]
How to use the home liver function test kit
Before you start, drink some water and warm your hands. Cold fingers make blood sampling harder than it needs to be. Set everything out on a clean surface, and read the instructions once all the way through.
Do the finger-prick as directed, collect the sample to the fill line, and label it correctly. If you’re squeamish, sit down and take your time. (No medals for speed here.)
Post the sample back the same day. Ideally, post Monday to Thursday to reduce the chance of weekend delays. If you miss the post, don’t “save it for later” unless the kit instructions specifically say you can.
Warnings and precautions for the at home liver function test kit
This liver function test is not an emergency test. If you have severe symptoms (especially jaundice, confusion, vomiting blood, black stools, or severe abdominal pain), seek urgent medical care.
Take extra care if you have a bleeding disorder, you’re on anticoagulants, or you’ve had problems fainting with needles or blood. If you’re unsure, speak to a clinician before using a finger-prick kit.
Don’t self-treat based on one result. Mild abnormalities often need repeating and proper interpretation. And if you’re taking a medicine like terbinafine, don’t ignore symptoms just because you’ve “got a test booked”. If symptoms suggest liver problems, you should stop the medicine and seek advice.
Side effects after using the at home liver function test kit
Most people only notice minor finger-prick discomfort.
Possible side effects include a small bruise, mild soreness, a tiny amount of bleeding, or feeling light-headed. Sitting down, having water nearby, and taking a slow approach helps.
Infection is uncommon, but it can happen if the area isn’t clean or you keep touching the puncture site. If you get increasing redness, warmth, swelling, or pus, seek medical advice.
Drug interactions and the liver function test kit
The kit itself doesn’t interact with medicines.
However, medicines and supplements can change liver markers and how they’re interpreted. Common examples include alcohol, statins, some antibiotics, anti-epileptics, and herbal supplements. [4] Always disclose what you take during your follow up consultation, including over-the-counter products and gym supplements.
If you’re using this liver function test because you’re starting terbinafine, it’s especially important to mention any history of liver disease and any symptoms that develop during treatment.[3]
FAQs: Liver function test
Who is a liver function test for?
This liver function test is for those who want a baseline liver health check, want to monitor trends, or need results to support a discussion about medication safety with a clinician.
What does a liver function test measure?
This kit measures ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, total bilirubin, albumin and globulin. Together, these help build a picture of liver cell stress, bile flow patterns, and protein production.
Is a home liver function test accurate?
Home sampling can be accurate when the sample is collected correctly and analysed by a regulated lab using validated methods. The key is following the instructions and posting promptly.
Do I need to fast for a liver function test?
Usually, no. Liver function tests don’t typically require fasting. If you’re combining it with other tests (like lipids or glucose), fasting rules may change.
What can raise ALT on a liver function test?
ALT can rise with liver inflammation (including fatty liver, viral hepatitis, and alcohol-related injury) and sometimes with muscle injury. The pattern with AST and other markers matters.
What can raise AST on a liver function test?
AST can rise with liver injury, but also with muscle injury and heart-related problems. That’s why it’s usually interpreted alongside ALT and your symptoms.
What does a high ALP mean on a liver function test?
ALP can rise in bile duct issues and liver disease, but also in bone conditions. GGT can help confirm whether a raised ALP is more likely liver-related.
What does a high GGT mean on a liver function test?
GGT often rises with bile duct problems, alcohol-related liver strain, and some medicines. It can help interpret a raised ALP.
What does bilirubin mean on a liver function test?
Bilirubin is a pigment processed by the liver. High bilirubin can cause jaundice and may be linked to liver disease, bile duct blockage, increased breakdown of red blood cells, or benign conditions like Gilbert’s syndrome.
What does low albumin mean on a liver function test?
Low albumin can suggest reduced liver protein production, but it can also be affected by nutrition, inflammation, and kidney protein loss. It’s a “context” marker, not a standalone diagnosis.
What does high globulin mean on a liver function test?
Globulins include immune proteins. High globulin can be seen in chronic inflammation, infection, and some immune conditions. It needs clinical interpretation alongside other results.
Can alcohol affect a liver function test?
Yes. Alcohol can raise liver enzymes, and patterns can vary depending on intake and individual susceptibility. If you’re monitoring, try to keep conditions similar between tests.
Can exercise affect a liver function test?
Hard exercise can raise enzymes (especially AST, and sometimes ALT) due to muscle strain. If you’re re-testing a borderline result, avoid heavy training for a few days beforehand.
Can supplements affect a liver function test?
They can. Some herbal products and high-dose supplements have been linked with liver injury in susceptible people. Always list supplements in your follow up consultation.
Is a liver function test enough to diagnose fatty liver?
No. Liver enzymes can be normal in fatty liver disease, and abnormal results can have many causes. Diagnosis often involves clinical assessment and sometimes imaging.
Should I do a liver function test before taking terbinafine?
Many clinicians consider baseline LFTs before oral terbinafine, especially if you have liver risk factors. More importantly, you should be alert to symptoms of liver problems during treatment and seek advice promptly if they occur.
What symptoms should make me stop terbinafine and seek help?
Symptoms that can suggest liver problems include persistent nausea, loss of appetite, unusual tiredness, dark urine, pale stools, itching, or jaundice. If these occur, seek urgent clinical advice.
What if my liver function test is slightly abnormal?
Mild abnormalities are common and often need a repeat test and a review of recent illness, alcohol, exercise, and medicines. Your follow up consultation can help you decide the next step.
What if my liver function test is very abnormal?
If results are significantly abnormal, you should seek clinician assessment promptly. If you also have red-flag symptoms (like jaundice or severe abdominal pain), treat it as urgent.
How quickly do results come back?
Turnaround time is typically 48 hours after the lab receives your sample, though this can vary with postage and weekends.
What happens after my liver function test?
You’ll receive your results, and you can use the free follow up consultation to discuss what they mean, whether you should repeat the test, and whether you need GP or specialist follow up.
How this content was created
How this content was created: based on NHS and NICE/CKS guidance, BNF safety information, and peer-reviewed clinical sources, plus Courier Pharmacy and Medical Mojo internal guidance. Reviewed for clinical accuracy.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.
Stickel, F. and Danan, G. (2024) Liver function tests. In: StatPearls. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), National Library of Medicine. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482489/ (Accessed: 1 March 2026).
