Q: Why not just rely on the liver tests in a CMP?

[CMP](/tests/comprehensive-metabolic-panel) includes 4 liver tests (ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin). Liver Health Panel adds [GGT](/tests/ggt) (alcohol-sensitive + biliary-specific), total protein, and albumin — catches biliary disease and synthetic dysfunction that CMP can miss. Use Liver Panel for focused liver evaluation; CMP for general screening.

Q: How much does the Liver Health Panel cost without insurance?

On TestWell, the Liver Health Panel is $59.99. Ordering the same tests separately would be about $90. Quest Direct lists comparable bundles at $200, walk-in hospital labs typically bill $400-600 for the same biomarkers without insurance.

Q: Should I get viral hepatitis screening too?

Yes if liver enzymes are elevated. CDC now recommends one-time universal screening for [Hepatitis B](/tests/hepatitis-b-test) and [Hepatitis C](/tests/hepatitis-c-test) for all adults 18+. Both can cause silent liver injury that this panel detects but doesn't identify the cause of.

Q: Do I need to fast?

No strict fasting requirement, but most clinicians recommend an 8-12 hour fast for consistency, especially if the panel is being drawn alongside a [Lipid Panel](/tests/lipid-panel) or [CMP](/tests/comprehensive-metabolic-panel). Hold alcohol for 24-48 hours before testing to avoid acutely elevated GGT.

Q: How often should I retest if liver enzymes are elevated?

Repeat in 4-6 weeks to confirm persistent elevation (transient elevations from exercise, medications, or recent infections are common). If persistently elevated, see a primary care provider for a workup — additional testing (hepatitis serologies, ferritin, imaging) is usually needed.

Question 1

What's included in the Liver Health Panel?

Accepted Answer

Hepatocellular markers ([ALT](/tests/alt), AST, AST/ALT ratio), biliary markers ([GGT](/tests/ggt), alkaline phosphatase), excretion (total + direct bilirubin), and synthetic function (total protein, albumin). About 8-10 individual biomarkers covering the major dimensions of liver function.

Question 2

What does the AST/ALT ratio tell me?

Accepted Answer

AST/ALT >2: classic for alcoholic liver disease. AST/ALT <1: typical for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (MASLD) or viral hepatitis. AST/ALT ~1 with elevations: drug-induced liver injury or muscle source (rhabdo). The ratio plus the absolute values help narrow the cause.

Question 3

Why not just rely on the liver tests in a CMP?

Accepted Answer

[CMP](/tests/comprehensive-metabolic-panel) includes 4 liver tests (ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin). Liver Health Panel adds [GGT](/tests/ggt) (alcohol-sensitive + biliary-specific), total protein, and albumin — catches biliary disease and synthetic dysfunction that CMP can miss. Use Liver Panel for focused liver evaluation; CMP for general screening.

Question 4

How much does the Liver Health Panel cost without insurance?

Accepted Answer

On TestWell, the Liver Health Panel is $59.99. Ordering the same tests separately would be about $90. Quest Direct lists comparable bundles at $200, walk-in hospital labs typically bill $400-600 for the same biomarkers without insurance.

Question 5

Should I get viral hepatitis screening too?

Accepted Answer

Yes if liver enzymes are elevated. CDC now recommends one-time universal screening for [Hepatitis B](/tests/hepatitis-b-test) and [Hepatitis C](/tests/hepatitis-c-test) for all adults 18+. Both can cause silent liver injury that this panel detects but doesn't identify the cause of.

Question 6

Do I need to fast?

Accepted Answer

No strict fasting requirement, but most clinicians recommend an 8-12 hour fast for consistency, especially if the panel is being drawn alongside a [Lipid Panel](/tests/lipid-panel) or [CMP](/tests/comprehensive-metabolic-panel). Hold alcohol for 24-48 hours before testing to avoid acutely elevated GGT.

Question 7

How often should I retest if liver enzymes are elevated?

Accepted Answer

Repeat in 4-6 weeks to confirm persistent elevation (transient elevations from exercise, medications, or recent infections are common). If persistently elevated, see a primary care provider for a workup — additional testing (hepatitis serologies, ferritin, imaging) is usually needed.

Liver Health Panel

About This Panel

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Who Should Order This

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Tests Included in This Panel

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Preparation Instructions

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