Liver Function Blood Test. Check How Hard Your Liver Is Working Before It Starts Shouting.
If your liver could talk, what would it say about the way you live.
Drinking most nights. Weekend blowouts. Takeaways. Weight creeping up. Meds. Supplements.
You might feel mostly fine. That does not mean your liver is happy.
A Liver Function Blood Test is a simple way to see whether your liver is coping or quietly struggling in the background.
At Holden’s Wellness Clinics in Doncaster and Newark, you can get a fast, private liver check without waiting for a GP to decide if you qualify for bloods.
🧪 What A Liver Function Test Actually Measures
Liver Function Tests look at a group of markers in your blood that reflect how well your liver cells and bile system are working. It is more than a single number.
- ALT and AST – enzymes released when liver cells are irritated or damaged
- GGT – often raised with alcohol use, fatty liver and some medicines
- ALP – linked to bile flow, bone health and some liver conditions
- Bilirubin – waste product that rises when the liver or bile ducts are not clearing properly
- Albumin and total protein – show how well the liver is making essential proteins
Together these markers give a good picture of whether your liver is under pressure from alcohol, fat, medication or underlying disease.
They do not diagnose a specific condition on their own, but they tell you clearly if your liver deserves attention.
Price: £49
Results: usually 24 to 48 hours
Lab: London Medical Laboratory, CQC registered UK partner lab
🍺 “I Drink More Than I Should” – The Quiet Liver Risk
You do not have to be an alcoholic to damage your liver.
Plenty of people drink in the “normal” social range and still end up with liver problems.
Risk is higher if:
- You drink most nights, even if it is “only a few”
- Weekends involve heavy sessions or binges
- Alcohol has been a habit for years, not months
- You use drink to relax, sleep or cope with stress
Early alcohol related liver damage is often silent and reversible.
Later stage damage is not. A simple liver function test lets you see which side of that line you are on.
🧂 Fatty Liver. Not Just A Problem For Big Drinkers.
Even if you hardly drink, your liver can still be under strain from sugar, processed foods, weight around the stomach, pre diabetes and high cholesterol.
Signs your liver might be taking a hit from lifestyle:
- Carrying most of your weight around the middle
- HbA1c or blood sugar in the “borderline” or pre diabetic range
- Raised cholesterol or triglycerides
- Always tired, heavy after meals, low energy
Fatty liver is a major warning sign for future diabetes, heart disease and cirrhosis. The earlier it is picked up, the easier it is to reverse with diet, weight loss and movement.
Combining a Liver Function Test with a HbA1c Diabetes Test and a Cholesterol Profile gives a strong picture of your metabolic health.
💊 Medication, Gym Supplements And Liver Load
Your liver processes a lot more than alcohol. It also deals with:
- Regular painkillers and anti inflammatory tablets
- Statins and other long term medications
- Certain arthritis or autoimmune drugs
- Bodybuilding supplements and performance enhancers
- “Detox” products and herbal mixes bought online
If you are on long term medication, your GP may only check your liver every so often. If you train hard, use multiple supplements or have ever experimented with gear, it is sensible to give your liver a proper MOT instead of guessing.
🤔 Had A “Slightly Abnormal” Liver Result Before. And Then Nothing.
One of the most common stories we hear is:
“The doctor said my liver was a bit raised but nothing to worry about. They said we would recheck it later. Then I never heard anything else.”
That limbo is horrible. Too high to ignore. Too low urgency for the system to chase.
A private Liver Function Test lets you see:
- Has it gone back to normal.
- Is it the same.
- Has it quietly got worse.
If it is stable or improved, you get peace of mind.
If it is higher, you have hard evidence to push for further help.
🏥 NHS Liver Testing Versus Private Testing
NHS Route
- Often ordered only if you already have significant symptoms
- Can be treated as “reassuring enough” even when mildly raised
- Repeat tests may be delayed by queues and limited capacity
- Hard to request extra checks if you feel generally well
Holden’s Private Route
- Book directly, no GP referral required
- Quick, discreet appointments in Doncaster or Newark
- Blood taken by trained clinicians in a private room
- Samples sent same day to London Medical Laboratory
- Results usually within 24 to 48 hours, emailed securely
- Easy to repeat every few months if you are actively changing lifestyle or alcohol intake
We do not diagnose or replace your GP. We give you reliable numbers quickly so you can make informed decisions and, if needed, go back to your doctor with clear evidence.
🧭 Who This Test Is For
- People who drink regularly and want to know if their liver is still coping
- Anyone with central weight gain, fatty liver risk or pre diabetes
- Patients on long term medication that can affect the liver
- Gym users on multiple supplements or past anabolic use
- People who have had “slightly raised” liver tests in the past
- Anyone building a full health picture alongside HbA1c and Cholesterol
If your lifestyle is not perfect and you know it, this is a smart check to run before your body forces the issue.
🩺 How The Appointment Works
- Book online and choose Doncaster or Newark as your clinic location.
- Attend your appointment at Holden’s Wellness Clinic inside the pharmacy.
- Blood sample taken by a clinician, usually in 10 to 15 minutes.
- Sample sent same day to London Medical Laboratory.
- Results emailed securely, usually within 24 to 48 hours.
Book A Liver Function Blood Test
📍 Clinics Offering Liver Function Tests
- Holden’s Wellness Clinic – Doncaster (DN5)
Inside Holden’s Chemist Scawsby, Unit 4 Barnsley Road - Holden’s Wellness Clinic – Newark (NG24)
Inside Holden’s Chemist Express, 77b Eton Avenue
Related Blood Tests
- Iron & Ferritin Test – low iron can cause tiredness, weakness and dizziness, and is commonly checked alongside LFTs.
- CRP (Inflammation) Test – helpful if your LFTs suggest inflammation or if symptoms include pain, fatigue or fever.
- Kidney Function Test (U&E) – liver and kidney health often overlap; recommended for bloating, fluid retention or long-term medication users.
- Full Blood Count (FBC) – checks for infections, anaemia, alcohol-related changes or general health issues that can influence liver results.
- Thyroid Function Test – thyroid problems can mimic liver symptoms such as fatigue, weight changes and low mood.
- Vitamin D Test – low vitamin D is extremely common in those with fatigue or poor immune function and is often depleted in chronic liver issues.
- Vitamin B12 Test – B12 deficiency is common in people with digestive issues, alcohol use, certain medications or fatigue.
- Male Hormone Profile – low testosterone can overlap with symptoms of liver dysfunction such as low energy and mood changes.
- Female Hormone Profile – useful for women with fatigue, weight changes or cycle changes, which may also impact liver markers.