Liver & Kidney Health
Liver and kidney blood test Plymouth
A liver and kidney blood test Plymouth is one of the most important preventive health checks available. At Tamar Health, we measure liver function tests (ALT, AST, GGT, alkaline phosphatase, albumin, bilirubin, total protein) and kidney function markers (creatinine, eGFR, urea, sodium, potassium, bicarbonate) to assess the health and efficiency of these vital organs. Early detection of liver or kidney problems allows for timely intervention and can prevent serious complications.
Why liver and kidney testing is essential
Your liver and kidneys work silently in the background, handling thousands of functions every day. The liver processes medications and alcohol, produces proteins, and filters toxins from your blood. Your kidneys filter waste products and regulate fluid and electrolyte balance. Diseases like fatty liver disease and chronic kidney disease often develop without obvious symptoms, making regular testing crucial. If you use alcohol regularly, take medications affecting liver function (such as statins or methotrexate), have high blood pressure or diabetes, or experience urinary symptoms, a liver and kidney blood test should be part of your regular health monitoring.
What this test measures
This comprehensive test includes two main panels: liver function tests (LFTs) assess how well your liver is working, while kidney function tests (also called U&Es or urea and electrolytes) measure how effectively your kidneys are filtering and regulating body chemistry.
| Marker | What it measures | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| ALT (alanine transaminase) | Enzyme found mainly in the liver | Elevated levels indicate liver cell damage from hepatitis, fatty liver disease, or drug toxicity |
| AST (aspartate transaminase) | Enzyme in liver, heart, and muscle | Elevated in liver disease; the AST:ALT ratio helps distinguish types of liver damage |
| GGT (gamma-glutamyl transferase) | Enzyme in liver and bile ducts | Rises with alcohol use, bile duct disease, and fatty liver; helps diagnose liver or bone disease |
| Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) | Enzyme from liver and bone | Elevated in bile duct obstruction, bone disease, or pregnancy |
| Albumin | Protein produced by the liver | Low levels indicate liver disease, malnutrition, or kidney disease (protein loss) |
| Bilirubin | Breakdown product of haemoglobin | Elevated levels cause jaundice; indicates liver dysfunction or bile duct blockage |
| Total protein | All proteins in blood | Abnormal levels suggest liver disease, kidney disease, or nutritional problems |
| Creatinine | Waste product filtered by kidneys | Elevated levels indicate reduced kidney function; used to calculate eGFR |
| eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) | Kidney function percentage | The most important kidney function marker; <60 mL/min suggests chronic kidney disease |
| Urea | Nitrogen-containing waste from protein metabolism | Elevated in kidney disease, dehydration, or high protein intake |
| Sodium | Key electrolyte for fluid balance | Abnormal levels cause serious symptoms; kidney disease is a common cause |
| Potassium | Electrolyte essential for heart rhythm | Kidney disease causes potassium retention; abnormal levels are dangerous |
| Bicarbonate | Buffer system regulating acid-base balance | Low levels indicate kidney disease or metabolic problems |
Who should get this test?
A liver and kidney blood test is essential if you have risk factors for liver or kidney disease, take medications that affect these organs, or have symptoms suggesting organ dysfunction. Regular alcohol users should have annual testing to detect early liver damage. Anyone with high blood pressure or diabetes — major risk factors for kidney disease — should have routine kidney function checks. People experiencing fatigue, swelling in the legs or feet, urinary symptoms, or abdominal pain should be tested. Pre-medication screening is also important before starting long-term treatments.
- Regular alcohol use
- Fatty liver concern
- On liver-affecting medication
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Urinary symptoms
- Leg or ankle swelling
- Routine health check
- Pre-medication screening
What your results mean
Understanding your results
Your liver function tests will show whether your liver enzymes are elevated, indicating possible inflammation or damage. A single raised enzyme is often not concerning, but persistent elevation or multiple abnormal markers warrant further investigation. Alcohol use typically raises GGT and AST; fatty liver disease raises ALT more than AST. If your albumin is low, your liver may not be making proteins properly — a sign of chronic disease.
Your kidney function results centre on creatinine and eGFR. An eGFR of 60 or higher is considered normal; 45–59 suggests mild kidney disease; below 45 indicates more significant disease. Electrolyte abnormalities (especially high potassium or sodium) can indicate kidney disease or dehydration and need prompt attention. Our clinicians will review your full results in context and advise whether GP referral or specialist investigation is necessary.
What happens at your appointment
You’ll have a blood sample taken by one of our trained phlebotomists at our Estover clinic in Plymouth. The appointment is quick and straightforward, usually completed in under five minutes. Although fasting is not required for this test, we do recommend avoiding alcohol for at least 24 hours beforehand, as this can affect your results. Ensure you’re well hydrated and avoid strenuous exercise the day of your test.
Your blood sample is processed in our laboratory, with results typically available within 24–72 hours. Once results are ready, we’ll contact you and can arrange a consultation to discuss your findings. If your results show concern, our clinician will advise you on next steps, whether that’s dietary and lifestyle changes, medication review, or GP referral for specialist assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to fast for a liver and kidney blood test?
Fasting is not required for this test. However, avoid alcohol for 24 hours beforehand as it temporarily raises liver enzyme levels. Ensure you’re well hydrated by drinking water normally before your appointment.
What does a raised ALT or GGT mean?
Raised liver enzymes can indicate fatty liver disease (very common in the UK), alcohol-related liver damage, hepatitis, or medication side effects. A single raised enzyme is often not serious, but persistent elevation needs investigation. Our clinician will interpret your results and advise on next steps.
I’m on statins — should I have my liver function tested?
Yes, if you’re on statins or other medications that can affect the liver, annual liver function testing is sensible. Statins rarely cause problems, but regular monitoring provides reassurance and catches rare issues early. Your GP may already be monitoring you — discuss with them whether private testing would be useful in addition.
What’s the difference between eGFR and creatinine?
Creatinine is a waste product your kidneys filter out; high creatinine suggests poor kidney function. eGFR is a calculated estimate of your kidney function percentage, taking age, sex, and creatinine into account. eGFR is more useful for diagnosing chronic kidney disease. An eGFR below 60 mL/min/1.73m2 is the threshold for chronic kidney disease diagnosis.
Will my GP accept these results?
Absolutely. GPs routinely accept private blood test results and will act on them if intervention is needed. You can bring your results to your GP appointment for discussion and shared decision-making about management.
Related tests
Book your liver and kidney blood test in Plymouth
No referral needed. Results within 24–72 hours. From £25 appointment fee. Individual test costs apply — see our blood test price list for details.
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