Full liver screen blood tests

Having the test

A full liver screen is a blood test. The blood will usually be taken from your arm.

You may need to have several tubes of blood taken. But labs can often use each tube for more than one test.

Depending on exactly which tests you are having, you might be asked not to eat for 6 to 12 hours before the test.

Some medicines can change your test results. So make sure your medical team know about everything you take. Including over the counter, natural and herbal medicines, and supplements.

You can find out more about each of the tests you might have using the links below:

• FBC (full blood count)
• Clotting tests (PT, APTT, INR)
• Ferritin and iron
• Tests for viral hepatitis

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What do my full liver screen test results mean?

Your blood test results will be compared to a reference range. Sometimes called a “normal range”. For most tests there is no set range for everyone. It is important to use the right reference range for your results. You can find out more about reference ranges here. 

Individual tests only give part of the picture. To make a diagnosis, doctors will need to look at the results of all your tests together.

You might also be asked to have an imaging test or other liver disease tests. 

You test results can also be affected by other things including:

• if you are male or female
• your age
• if you are pregnant
• your weight
• what you eat
• if you drink alcohol
• other medical conditions
• medicines
• your medical history

Your medical team should take all these things into account when they look at your test results.

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What happens next?

It can sometimes take a while to work out exactly what is wrong. You may need to have more tests.

You can find out more about other tests used to diagnose liver disease here.

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Support for you

The British Liver Trust offers a range of support for people with a liver condition and those closest to them. This includes support groups and an online forum. Support for you.

You can also call or email our helpline. Our friendly team of specialist liver nurses cannot give you a diagnosis or interpret test results. But they can answer questions, offer support, or just listen.

Call the helpline on 0800 652 7330 or find out more here.

We also have lots of information about living with a liver condition:

• Liver blood tests (LFT)
• Tests for liver conditions
• Take our free online screener
• Liver conditions A to Z
• Useful words glossary
• Living with a liver condition
• Eating, drinking and keeping active
• Mental health

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Special thanks

We would like to thank everyone with lived experience of liver disease tests who helped with these pages. Including, Sejal Patel, and Jennifer Voller.

Also, Professor Stephen Ryder, consultant hepatologist at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS trust and Dr Laura-Jane Armstrong, Associate GP, Avonside Health Centre, for reviewing this page.

Published: July 2025

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