Kidney Function Blood Test
Results in 2 working days
Check your kidney and liver function and understand your risk of developing kidney disease with our at-home kidney health test.
10 Biomarkers
£49
Results in 2 working days
10 Biomarkers
Our at-home liver function blood test helps you check the health of your liver and kidneys. It checks important biomarkers like liver proteins, GGT and ALP for your liver, and creatinine and urea for your kidneys. Checking your liver function at home is a quick and easy way to avoid liver disease and live a healthier life.
£49
What gets tested?
10 Biomarkers
Blood sample collection options
WHEN TO TAKE THE TEST?
If you have consumed a large amount of alcohol, we recommend leaving a gap of 72-96 hours before taking this test.
Your liver detoxifies your body, processes nutrients, and supports digestion. However, factors like diet, alcohol, medications, and underlying health conditions can impact your liver function, often without obvious symptoms.
Our liver function blood test offers a convenient way to check key markers like ALT, AST, and GGT, which help assess liver health. Early detection of issues allows you to make lifestyle changes or seek medical advice before more serious problems develop.
We analysed data from thousands of blood test results and found that only 14.4% of women and 4.7% of men had ‘Excellent’ Liver Protein scores. This shows how important it is to test and monitor your liver function. When you test with Forth, you get personalised insights and goals to help you improve and maintain your liver health.
10 Biomarkers
Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)
Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is an enzyme primarily found in the liver. Only small amounts are usually found in the blood. However, if the liver or muscles are damaged an increased level of ALT will be released into the bloodstream. Elevated ALT levels can be caused by alcohol, fatty liver, viruses, or intense exercise.
Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme found in high concentrations in the bones and liver. It is measured in liver function tests to assess liver health. Elevated ALP levels can indicate liver diseases such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, or bile duct obstruction.
Albumin
Albumin is a protein produced by the liver, crucial for maintaining blood volume and pressure. Low albumin levels can indicate liver dysfunction, as the liver's ability to synthesize this protein is compromised. Monitoring albumin helps assess liver health, diagnosing conditions like cirrhosis, hepatitis, and other liver diseases.
Gamma GT (GGT)
Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) is an enzyme found mainly in the liver. The concentration of GGT within the bloodstream increases when there is either damage to the liver or bile ducts, or when there is increased production of GGT within the liver. This can occur due to taking many medications, smoking, poorly controlled diabetes and excessive alcohol consumption.
Globulin
Globulins are proteins produced by the liver and immune system and is a general term to describe more than 60 proteins. Measuring globulin in liver health tests is important in the assessment of liver function. Abnormal globulin levels can indicate liver dysfunction or chronic liver diseases like cirrhosis or hepatitis.
Total Protein
Total protein test measures the quantity of protein present within your bloodstream and is a combination of both albumin and globulin levels. Measuring total protein in liver function tests assesses the liver's ability to synthesize proteins, indicating liver health, nutritional status, and helping to identify liver diseases like cirrhosis and hepatitis.
Creatinine
Creatinine is a waste product which is produced by muscles when they break down creatine. It is excreted from the body by our kidneys in urine. Therefore, the levels of creatinine can give a good indication of how effectively the kidneys are working. Elevated levels suggest potential kidney stress or increased muscle metabolism.
eGFR
Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) measures how well the kidneys filter waste from the blood. It helps detect kidney disease early and can provide an overall assessment of kidney function. The calculation is based on levels of creatinine and results can be influenced by a number of factors including muscle mass, weight and hydration.
Urea
Both urea and creatinine are good indicators of whether the kidneys are working properly. Urea is a waste product formed in the liver when protein is metabolised. It is released into the bloodstream and carried to the kidneys where it is expelled within urine. If the kidneys are not performing correctly the level of urea will rise.
Uric Acid
Uric acid or urate is a natural waste product produced when the body breaks down purines. Most uric acid is removed from the body by the kidneys. Too much uric acid can lead to the formation of solid crystals in the joints - known as gout. High levels can also lead to the formation of kidney stones.
Getting the insights you need to improve your health has never been easier.
Collect a small blood sample at home or at one of our clinics
Get results within 2 working days of your sample reaching our lab
View your personalised report in the app and learn how to improve your liver function
Get personalised insights and goals to improve your liver health with HealthCoach
"Your liver is the body's major processing centre. A liver function test measures various enzymes, proteins, and substances in your blood that are involved in a number of metabolic pathways. The results show if your liver is functioning properly, helping assess the impact of diet, alcohol, exercise and some medications."
Dr Thom Phillips
Clinical lead
Our team of specialist doctors, dieticians and biomedical scientists are here to help you be in the best of health.
This is what our customers ask us about the most. For more information, try our help centre.
Where is your liver?
Your liver sits in the upper right side of your abdomen, just below your ribcage. It’s the largest internal organ and is crucial for processing everything you eat, drink, and absorb into your bloodstream.
What does the liver do?
Your liver contributes to over 500 bodily functions, from breaking down toxins, metabolising nutrients, storing energy, supporting digestion, and regulating blood sugar levels. It also plays a key role in fighting infections and maintaining overall health.
How to check your liver function at home
This liver function blood test is the perfect way to proactively check and track your liver health from home. We offer several at-home options for you to choose from:
We also offer the option to have your bloods taken at one of our partner clinics. Find a clinic near you here.
Interpreting liver function test results
Your liver function test measures key enzymes and proteins, such as ALT, ALP, and GGT, to assess liver health. Elevated levels may indicate liver stress, inflammation, or disease. Low protein levels can also suggest potential liver function issues.
With HealthCoach, you’ll get a detailed but easy-to-understand look at each biomarker, as well as over scores to help you understand exactly what’s going on and what you need to do.
What happens when your liver enzymes are high?
High liver enzyme levels can indicate that your liver is under stress or damaged. This may be due to factors like alcohol, fatty liver disease, infections, medications, or underlying conditions.
What are the first signs of a bad liver?
Early signs of liver problems can be subtle but symptoms may include fatigue, unexplained weight changes, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), dark urine, bloating, nausea, or loss of appetite. Regular blood testing can help detect issues before symptoms become serious.
What causes liver disease?
Liver disease can result from excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, viral infections like hepatitis, certain medications, or genetic conditions. Poor diet and lifestyle choices can also contribute to liver stress over time. Identifying risks early can help prevent long-term damage.
Does this test check for liver cancer?
This test does not directly diagnose liver cancer, but it can detect abnormal liver function, which may indicate underlying issues.
If you’re concerned about liver cancer, our TruCheck™ Early Cancer Screening Blood Test would be the best place to start. It identifies circulating tumour cells (CTCs) which can help detect early stage liver cancer.
Why does this test check my kidney function too?
Your liver and kidneys work closely together to filter waste and toxins from your body. Poor liver function can put extra strain on the kidneys. By assessing both, this test provides a more complete picture of your overall health.
How soon will the test arrive?
If you order your test before midday on a Monday to Friday then your kit will be dispatched the same day.
All our kits are sent out via Royal Mail Tracked24, so it should be with you within 1-2 working days.
How secure is my data?
We have strict processes in place to ensure the protection of your data. Following GDPR the company also operates under tight legal rules about the sharing of data which ensures that data is only shared if it is crucial to the delivery of our service. For example, our doctors see customer results at the time of review, however, after review, access to results is withdrawn.
Learn more about your data security.
Can I have someone take my blood for me?
Yes. We offer two options if you do not want to do our finger prick test. The first is a home appointment where a nurse comes to your home to take a blood sample. The second is to visit a Phlebotomy clinic near you that offers a blood sample service.
A blood sample will be taken from your vein and we will provide you with everything you need to give to the nurse to allow them to take the sample.
The nurse will give you the blood sample to return to us using the pre-paid envelope provided.
Does a doctor review my results?
We have a team of doctors and nurses who look at all results and will comment on any results that are outside of the normal range for your age.
Can I download the results to share with my GP?
Yes, you can download your results from your health dashboard as a PDF to share with your GP.
Learn how to export your results.
Like this article? Here are some more based on similar topics.
Liver Function Blood Test