CAN I CHECK LIVER FUNCTION MYSELF?

Your liver quietly supports hundreds of essential processes every day, from filtering toxins and processing nutrients to controlling cholesterol and energy balance. Because it can stay healthy for a long time before showing symptoms, regular checks are one of the best ways to detect potential problems early.

Many people now ask whether it’s possible to check their liver function at home. The answer is yes, modern home testing kits can measure key liver enzymes and proteins using a small finger-prick sample. These markers can show how well your liver is working and whether there are signs of inflammation or stress.

However, while home tests provide useful information, the results need professional interpretation. Some causes of liver changes, such as medication, diet, or infection, can only be confirmed with further testing.

At One Day Tests, we make checking your liver function simple and reliable. Our liver function tests can be done at home or in one of our UK clinics, and all samples are analysed in accredited laboratories and reviewed by our labs. This means you receive clear, accurate results that you can trust.

You can easily monitor your liver health with our Liver Function Blood Test, offering quick, lab-reviewed results that show how well your liver is processing and filtering substances in your blood.

A liver function test, often called an LFT or liver blood test, measures enzymes and proteins that show how well your liver is performing. These markers help detect inflammation, cell damage, and how efficiently your liver filters and processes substances in your blood.

The main markers include:

• Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), an enzyme that rises when liver cells are damaged or inflamed
  
  

• Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), which can indicate bile duct problems or issues with bone metabolism
  
  

• Bilirubin, a waste product from red blood cell breakdown that increases if the liver cannot process it properly
  
  

• Albumin and total protein, which show how well your liver is making essential blood proteins
  
  

When these levels are outside the normal range, it may suggest your liver is under stress. This could be due to alcohol use, medication, infections, or fatty liver. Checking these markers early helps identify issues long before serious symptoms appear.

At One Day Tests, our liver function test panels include all of these markers, giving you a complete view of your liver health and peace of mind that your results are interpreted by medical professionals.

Yes, you can check your liver function yourself with an at-home test kit. These kits work by collecting a small blood sample from a quick finger-prick, which is then sent to a laboratory for analysis. The process is simple, quick, and safe.

While home liver tests can provide useful insights, not all tests are equal. Some over-the-counter kits may not include the full range of markers, and others may not use accredited UK laboratories. This can affect reliability. To get meaningful results, choose a service where your sample is professionally analysed and reviewed by qualified labs.

With One Day Tests, every sample is processed in a UKAS-accredited laboratory and reviewed by our labs. This ensures your results meet the same standards as NHS-level testing while offering the convenience of at-home collection or clinic appointments.

Liver tests measure a combination of enzymes, proteins, and waste products that reflect how well your liver is working. Each marker tells a different part of the story:

• ALT detects inflammation or damage to liver cells.
  
  

• ALP can rise if bile ducts are blocked or irritated.
  
  

• Bilirubin shows how efficiently your liver is clearing waste from the body.
  
  

• Albumin and total protein reveal how well your liver produces key blood proteins.
  
  

Abnormal results do not always mean you have liver disease. Sometimes, mild elevations can occur after exercise, medication use, or dehydration. However, significant or persistent changes may suggest that your liver is under stress and needs further review.

Monitoring these markers gives you a clear picture of your liver’s performance and helps identify early signs of liver strain before they progress into more serious conditions.

When performed through trusted providers using accredited laboratories, at-home liver function tests are highly reliable. The technology and testing methods used are the same as those in clinic settings.

The British Liver Trust advises that home tests should always be reviewed by a qualified clinician, as interpretation depends on your lifestyle, medical history, and other test results. A single test can show whether your levels are normal, but trends over time give the most valuable insight.

At One Day Tests, your results are explained clearly by our labs, helping you understand what they mean and whether further testing is needed. If your results show abnormal levels, our labs provide recommendations on next steps, including retesting or clinical review.

You may want to check your liver function if you have any of the following:

• Persistent tiredness or unexplained fatigue
  
  

• Yellowing of the skin or eyes, known as jaundice
  
  

• Ongoing nausea, bloating, or poor appetite
  
  

• Regular alcohol use or a family history of liver disease
  
  

• Long-term use of medication that affects the liver
  
  

• Metabolic risk factors such as diabetes, obesity, or high cholesterol
  
  

You don’t need symptoms to benefit from testing. Many people use liver function tests as part of an annual health check to keep track of their wellbeing. With One Day Tests, results are typically ready within one to two working days, helping you act quickly if anything needs attention.

If your results show abnormal liver markers, don’t panic. Abnormal results are not always caused by liver disease. Factors such as dehydration, poor diet, medication, or even recent illness can cause temporary changes.

It’s best to retest or speak to a healthcare professional to interpret your results. In some cases, your doctor may recommend further testing, such as a repeat blood test, ultrasound, or FibroScan to assess liver tissue more closely.

At One Day Tests, our medical team provides personalised guidance based on your results. This ensures you understand the next steps and how to protect or improve your liver health.

You can check your liver function yourself using a trusted at-home blood test, but professional interpretation is essential to understand the results. Regular testing helps detect problems early and supports long-term health through better lifestyle and treatment decisions.

One Day Tests offers quick, accurate liver function testing for peace of mind. Whether you choose a home test kit or visit a nearby clinic, you’ll receive lab-reviewed results that help you understand how your liver is performing and what to do next.