What does a liver panel measure?

A liver panel measures several substances at once, including enzymes produced by liver cells and proteins the liver makes. Together they give a picture of whether the liver is inflamed or damaged and how well it is doing its manufacturing work.

Raised enzymes suggest liver cells are under some kind of stress, but they do not say why. Alcohol, medicines including ordinary over-the-counter ones, viral infections, fat in the liver and several other things can all raise them, and mild elevations are common and often temporary.

This is why a single abnormal liver result is a reason to look further rather than a diagnosis. Repeating the test, reviewing your medicines and considering your history is the usual next step, and it belongs with the clinician who ordered it.