Liver Function Test (LFT) Explained: Normal Range, SGOT SGPT, Bilirubin & What High Levels Mean (India 2026) | लिवर फंक्शन टेस्ट गाइड
Liver Function Test (LFT) Explained: Normal Range, SGPT, SGOT & Bilirubin (India 2026)
लिवर फ़ंक्शन टेस्ट: नॉर्मल रेंज, SGPT, SGOT और बिलीरूबिन का मतलब ऐ सरल हिंदी गाइड
The Liver Function Test (LFT) is one of the most commonly ordered blood tests in India — prescribed for routine checkups, fatty liver, jaundice, viral hepatitis, alcohol monitoring, and checking side effects of long-term medicines. Yet most patients receive their LFT report without understanding what SGPT, SGOT, bilirubin, or ALP actually mean.
This guide explains every parameter in your LFT report in simple English and Hindi. To understand how to read lab reports in general, see our beginner's guide to reading a blood test report.
लिवर फ़ंक्शन टेस्ट (LFT) भारत में सबसे आम ब्लड टेस्ट में से एक है। यह गाइड आपकी LFT रिपोर्ट के हर पैरामीटर को सरल अंग्रेजी और हिंदी में समषाती है।
What Is a Liver Function Test? / LFT क्या होता है?
A Liver Function Test is a panel of 6–8 blood tests ordered together. The tests fall into three categories: enzyme tests (SGPT, SGOT, ALP, GGT) that detect liver cell damage or bile duct problems; protein tests (albumin, total protein) that assess manufacturing capacity; and bilirubin that assesses bile processing.
LFT एक अकेला टेस्ट नहीं — 6–8 ब्लड टेस्ट का पैनल है। तीन श्रेणियाँ: (1) लिवर एंजाइम (SGPT, SGOT, ALP, GGT), (2) प्रोटीन टेस्ट (एल्बुमिन, टोटल प्रोटीन), (3) बिलीरूबिन।Yellowing of eyes/skin (jaundice), dark urine, pale stools, right upper abdominal pain, abdominal swelling (ascites), unexplained fatigue, nausea.
Fatty liver, viral hepatitis B/C, alcohol-related liver disease, autoimmune hepatitis, cirrhosis — all require periodic LFT monitoring.
Statins, anti-TB drugs (Rifampicin, INH), antifungals, methotrexate, paracetamol overuse, and anti-epileptics can damage the liver.
Diabetes and obesity significantly raise fatty liver risk. Annual LFT recommended even without symptoms.
LFT Normal Ranges in India / LFT सामान्य रेंज (भारत)
*Reference ranges vary slightly between Dr Lal PathLabs, Thyrocare, SRL, Metropolis. Always check the range printed on your specific report. Ranges for children, pregnant women, and elderly patients differ.
*संदर्भ सीमाएँ लैब के अनुसार थोडी भिन्न होती हैं। अपनी रिपोर्ट की सीमा हमेशा देखें।| Test / टेस्ट | Normal Range (Adults) | Unit | What It Measures |
|---|---|---|---|
| SGPT / ALT Alanine Aminotransferase | M: 7–56 · F: 7–45 | U/L | Primary liver cell damage marker — most specific for liver |
| SGOT / AST Aspartate Aminotransferase | M: 10–40 · F: 9–32 | U/L | Liver + muscle damage. Also rises in heart attacks. |
| Total Bilirubin | 0.2 – 1.2 | mg/dL | Bile pigment from RBC breakdown. High = jaundice. |
| Direct Bilirubin | < 0.3 | mg/dL | High in bile duct blockage, hepatitis |
| Indirect Bilirubin | < 0.8 | mg/dL | High in haemolysis, Gilbert's syndrome |
| ALP Alkaline Phosphatase | 44 – 147 | IU/L | Bile duct obstruction + bone disease. Higher in children. |
| GGT Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase | M: <73 · F: <45 | U/L | Most sensitive alcohol marker. Also elevated in fatty liver. |
| Albumin / एल्बुमिन | 3.5 – 5.5 | g/dL | Liver's protein-making function. Low = chronic liver disease. |
| Total Protein / कुल प्रोटीन | 6.3 – 8.2 | g/dL | All blood proteins. Low = malnutrition or liver/kidney disease. |
Each Parameter Explained / हर पैरामीटर का मतलब
1. SGPT (ALT) — The Most Important Liver Marker
SGPT is the most liver-specific enzyme — found almost exclusively in liver cells. When liver cells are damaged, SGPT leaks into the bloodstream, making it the most sensitive early indicator of liver injury.
SGPT लगभग विशेष रूप से लिवर कोशिकाওं में पाया जाता है। लिवर कोशिका क्षति होने पर यह रक्तप्रवाह में रिसता है।Fatty liver (NAFLD — most common in India), alcohol use, thyroid disease, celiac disease, vigorous exercise before test, or obesity. Lifestyle changes and repeat testing in 3 months is the usual approach.
Active viral hepatitis (A, B, C, E), alcoholic hepatitis, drug-induced liver injury (paracetamol, statins, anti-TB drugs), or autoimmune hepatitis. Values above 1,000 U/L require immediate hospital evaluation.
2. SGOT (AST) — Liver & Muscle Marker
SGOT is less liver-specific than SGPT — found in the liver, heart, skeletal muscle, kidneys, and red blood cells. It can rise in heart attacks, muscle injury, and haemolysis unrelated to liver disease.
SGOT SGPT से कम लिवर-विशिष्ट है — लिवर, हृदय, मांसपेशी और लाल रक्त कोशिकाওं में पाया जाता है।3. Bilirubin — The Jaundice Marker / पीलिया का मार्कर
Bilirubin is a yellow pigment from red blood cell breakdown. When the liver cannot process it — due to liver disease, bile duct blockage, or excessive RBC destruction — it builds up and causes jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes).
बिलीरूबिन लाल रक्त कोशिकाওं के टूटने से बनता है। जब लिवर इसे संसाधित नहीं कर पाता तो पीलिया होता है।| Pattern | Suggests | Common causes in India |
|---|---|---|
| High Direct (Conjugated) | Bile duct obstruction or hepatocellular disease | Gallstones, cholestasis, hepatitis B/C, drug-induced liver injury |
| High Indirect (Unconjugated) | Haemolysis or impaired conjugation | Malaria, sickle cell, G6PD deficiency, Gilbert's syndrome (benign) |
| Both elevated | Significant liver or bile duct disease | Acute viral hepatitis (A, E), alcoholic hepatitis, hepatic failure |
4. ALP — Bile Duct & Bone Marker
ALP is produced by bile ducts, bone cells, intestine, and placenta. It must be interpreted alongside GGT: High ALP + High GGT = bile duct problem. High ALP + Normal GGT = bone origin (also normal in children and pregnancy).
ALP पित्त नलिकाওं, हड्डी कोशिकाওं आदि से बनता है। उच्च ALP + उच्च GGT = पित्त नली समस्या। उच्च ALP + सामान्य GGT = हड्डी का मूल।5. GGT — The Alcohol & Fatty Liver Marker
GGT is the most sensitive marker for alcohol use and biliary disease in the panel. It rises in response to alcohol within days and is used to detect and monitor alcohol-related liver disease. Also rises in fatty liver (NAFLD), bile duct obstruction, diabetes, and with certain medicines (phenytoin, carbamazepine, rifampicin).
GGT शराब आधारित लिवर रोग का सबसे संवेदनशील मार्कर है। शराब पीने के दिनों के भीतर बड़ता है।6. Albumin & Total Protein — The Liver's Factory Function
Albumin is made almost exclusively by the liver. Low albumin signals chronic liver disease — the liver has lost enough manufacturing capacity. Since albumin has a long half-life (~20 days), it does not fall in acute hepatitis, making it a marker of chronic rather than acute disease.
एल्बुमिन लगभग विशेष रूप से लिवर द्वारा बनाया जाता है। कम एल्बुमिन = पुरानी लिवर बीमारी का संकेत है।What to Do If Your LFT Is Abnormal / असामान्य LFT आने पर क्या करें?
- Do not panic at a single mildly abnormal result
Exclude transient causes first: Was alcohol consumed in 48 hours before the test? Was there vigorous exercise? Was paracetamol taken? Repeat LFT in 4–6 weeks under proper conditions before taking further action.
पहले अस्थायी कारण बाहर करें। 4–6 सप्ताह बाद उचित परिस्थितियों में दोहराएं। - Get an abdominal ultrasound
Ultrasound detects fatty liver, gallstones, bile duct dilation, cirrhosis features, and liver tumours — context that makes LFT numbers meaningful. Always correlate LFT with ultrasound, not in isolation.
अल्ट्रासाउंड फ़ैटी लिवर, पित्त पथरी, पित्त नली ज़िलाव, सिरोसिस और लिवर ट्यूमर का पता लगाता है। - Check viral hepatitis if enzymes are significantly elevated
SGPT or SGOT above 3× normal, or any jaundice, should prompt testing for HBsAg, Anti-HCV, Hepatitis A IgM, and Hepatitis E IgM. Viral hepatitis is extremely common in India.
SGPT/SGOT सामान्य से 3 गुणा से अधिक: HBsAg, Anti-HCV, Hepatitis A IgM और E IgM जाँचें। - Review all medicines — including herbal and Ayurvedic preparations
Anti-TB therapy (Rifampicin + INH) is the most common cause of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) in India. Statins, antifungals, methotrexate, paracetamol in multiple OTC products, and herbal/Ayurvedic preparations can all cause DILI. Never assume a herbal medicine is safe for the liver.
Anti-TB थेरेपी भारत में DILI का सबसे आम कारण है। "प्राकृतिक = लिवर के लिए सुरछित" की धारणा खतरनाक है। - Lifestyle modifications for fatty liver
For NAFLD: reduce refined carbohydrates and sugar, lose 7–10% of body weight (this alone normalises SGPT in most NAFLD patients without medication), stop alcohol, exercise 150 minutes per week. Repeat LFT in 3 months before starting medicines.
7–10% वजन कम करने से बिना दवा के अधिकांश NAFLD रोगियों में SGPT सामान्य होता है।
Test Preparation / टेस्ट की तैयारी
- Fasting not strictly required for LFT alone — but recommended — A 10–12 hour overnight fast is standard since LFT is almost always ordered alongside fasting blood glucose and lipid profile.LFT के लिए उपवास एकदम जरूरी नहीं। लेकिन यह अक्सर फ़ास्टिंग ग्लूकोज और लिपिड प्रोफ़ाइल के साथ होता है।
- Avoid alcohol for at least 48 hours before testing — The most important preparation. Even moderate alcohol raises GGT within 24–48 hours and elevates SGOT, causing false results.टेस्ट से कम से 48 घंटे पहले शराब से बचें — यह सबसे महत्वपूर्ण तैयारी है।
- Avoid vigorous exercise 24–48 hours before testing — Intense exercise releases SGOT from skeletal muscle, commonly causing isolated SGOT elevation in healthy men on routine checkups.तेज व्यायाम से SGOT मांसपेशियों से ँीलता है — स्वस्थ पुरुषों में अलग SGOT उैं का सबसे आम कारण।
- Declare all medicines including herbal supplements — Statins, anti-TB drugs, antifungals, methotrexate, paracetamol, and herbal/Ayurvedic preparations all affect LFT values. Do not stop prescribed medicines without advice.सभी दवाएं और हर्बल सप्लीमेंट बताएं।
- Normal range varies between Dr Lal PathLabs, Thyrocare, SRL, Metropolis — always check your specific report
- One high value does not mean liver failure — always repeat before investigating
- Always correlate LFT with an abdominal ultrasound for meaningful interpretation
- For medicine safety guidance, follow ICMR certified guidelines through your doctor
Related Tests / संबंधित जाँचें
These tests are commonly ordered alongside or after LFT:
LFT के साथ या बाद में ये टेस्ट अक्सर करवाए जाते हैं:Frequently Asked Questions / अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
Fasting is not strictly required for LFT alone — liver enzymes are not significantly affected by food. However, since LFT is almost always ordered alongside fasting blood glucose and lipid profile, a 10–12 hour overnight fast is standard in India. The more important preparation is avoiding alcohol for 48 hours and vigorous exercise for 24 hours before the test, as both raise liver enzyme values even in healthy people.
उत्तर: अकेले LFT के लिए उपवास आवश्यक नहीं। 10–12 घंटे खाली पेट मानक है। आधिक महत्वपूर्ण: 48 घंटे पहले शराब और 24 घंटे पहले तेज व्यायाम से बचें।Yes — Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is the single most common cause of elevated SGPT in India, affecting an estimated 38% of Indian adults. Typical pattern: SGPT mildly to moderately elevated (40–200 U/L), SGOT lower than SGPT (De Ritis ratio below 1), GGT mildly elevated. Losing 7–10% of body weight and reducing refined carbohydrates normalises SGPT in most NAFLD patients without medication.
उत्तर: हाँ — NAFLD भारत में SGPT वृद्धि का सबसे आम कारण है। 7–10% वजन कम करने से बिना दवा SGPT सामान्य होता है।Not always. The most common cause of mildly elevated bilirubin in young Indian adults is Gilbert's syndrome — a benign genetic condition in 5–10% of the population where only indirect bilirubin is elevated while all other LFT values are normal. It causes no liver damage and requires no treatment. However, bilirubin above 3 mg/dL, any elevation with abnormal SGPT/SGOT, or visible jaundice should be investigated urgently.
उत्तर: नहीं — गिल्बर्ट सिंड्रोम सबसे आम कारण है: केवल अप्रत्यक्ष बिलीरूबिन बड़ा + सभी अन्य LFT सामान्य।The De Ritis Ratio is SGOT divided by SGPT. A ratio below 1 (SGPT higher than SGOT) strongly suggests viral hepatitis or fatty liver. A ratio above 2 (SGOT at least double SGPT) is the classic pattern of alcoholic liver disease — alcohol specifically damages the mitochondria that produce SGOT, causing it to rise disproportionately higher than SGPT.
उत्तर: De Ritis Ratio = SGOT÷SGPT। 1 से कम = वायरल हेपेटाइटिस/फ़ैटी लिवर। 2 से अधिक = शराब से संबंधित लिवर रोग का क्लासिक पैटर्न।For healthy adults: as part of an annual comprehensive health checkup. For patients on hepatotoxic medicines (anti-TB, statins, methotrexate, antifungals): as directed by their doctor — typically before starting, at 1 month, 3 months, then every 3–6 months. For known fatty liver, viral hepatitis, or cirrhosis: every 3–6 months. For diabetes and obesity: at least annual screening even without symptoms.
उत्तर: स्वस्थ वयस्क: वार्षिक। हेपेटोटॉक्सिक दवाওं पर: डॉक्टर के निर्देशानुसार। मधुमेह/मोटापे में: सालाना कम से कम।Yes — drug-induced liver injury from herbal and Ayurvedic preparations is an under-recognised cause in India. Preparations containing heavy metals (lead, mercury, arsenic in some Rasa shastra preparations), pyrrolizidine alkaloids, and high-dose turmeric supplements can be hepatotoxic. Always disclose all herbal supplements to your doctor when getting an LFT done. If SGPT is elevated and you are on a herbal preparation, consider stopping it and rechecking in 4–6 weeks.
उत्तर: हाँ — "प्राकृतिक = लिवर के लिए सुरछित" की धारणा खतरनाक है। सभी हर्बल सप्लीमेंट डॉक्टर को बताएं।- MedlinePlus (NIH): Liver Function Tests — Patient Information
- ICMR: Indian Council of Medical Research — Clinical Guidelines
- American Liver Foundation: Understanding Liver Function Tests
⚠️ Medical Disclaimer / चिकित्सा अस्वीकरण
This article is for educational purposes only. LFT values may vary between laboratories. A single abnormal result does not confirm liver disease — always consult a qualified doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
यह लेख केवल शैडरेणिक उद्देश्यों के लिए है। निदान और उपचार के लिए हमेशा एक योग्य डॉक्टर से परामर्श लें।
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