Alpha Laboratory has been a pathology lab on M.C. Road, Banur since 2014. Not sure which of these your slip asks for? Send a photo of it on WhatsApp or call 8872524007 and we'll tell you.
Tests in this category
- LFT (Liver Function Test)An LFT test is a panel of blood measurements read together to see how the liver is coping.No fastingSame day
- SGPT (ALT)SGPT, now usually called ALT (alanine aminotransferase), is an enzyme that sits almost entirely inside liver cells.No fastingSame day
- SGOT (AST)The SGOT test measures aspartate aminotransferase, or AST, an enzyme found in the liver but also in heart muscle, skeletal muscle, the kidneys and…No fastingSame day
- Bilirubin (Total, Direct, Indirect)Bilirubin is the yellow-orange pigment that gives jaundice its colour.No fastingSame day
- Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)An alkaline phosphatase test measures ALP, an enzyme made mostly by the bile ducts of the liver and by bone-building cells.FastingSame day
- GGT (Gamma GT)Gamma-glutamyl transferase, shortened to GGT or gamma GT, is an enzyme on the surface of cells in the liver and bile ducts.No fastingSame day
- Albumin & Total ProteinThe albumin test measures the main protein in your blood.No fastingSame day
- AmmoniaThe ammonia test measures a waste product that a healthy liver clears almost as fast as the body makes it.No fastingSame day
- AmylaseAmylase is the enzyme that starts breaking down starch, from roti, rice and potatoes, into sugars.No fastingSame day
- LipaseLipase is the pancreas's fat-digesting enzyme.No fastingSame day
The full panel is the LFT test. If your doctor only wants one value followed over time, it can be done on its own: the SGPT test (ALT), the SGOT test (AST), a bilirubin test, an alkaline phosphatase test, a GGT test or an albumin test with total protein.
The ammonia test is the odd one out. It is ordered mostly for very unwell patients and the sample has to travel on ice. For the pancreas there are amylase and lipase. Everything else we offer is listed on the all tests page.
When doctors order these tests
Yellow eyes, dark tea-coloured urine and pale stools are the classic reason. Doctors also use liver tests to follow someone after viral hepatitis, to keep an eye on people who drink regularly, and when an ultrasound shows a fatty liver.
Many long-term medicines are processed by the liver, so the LFT is a regular check during TB treatment, on some epilepsy and arthritis medicines, and on cholesterol tablets. People with diabetes or a lot of weight around the middle often get it in their yearly checkup too.
Amylase and lipase are requested when there is sudden, severe pain high in the abdomen, often spreading to the back, with vomiting. That needs a hospital emergency department first. The blood test helps the doctor there, it doesn't replace being seen.
Preparation
Most tests on this page don't need fasting. Some doctors still prefer an overnight fast before an LFT or ALP, because a heavy, oily meal can make the serum cloudy and nudge a few values. If the slip says fasting, come before breakfast. Water is fine; tea and milk count as food.
Avoid alcohol and hard exercise the day before if you can, and bring a list of the medicines you take. Ammonia is different: call before coming, as it is collected only at the lab.
Packages that include them
The LFT is part of our Basic Health Check and Full Body Checkup, so you don't need to book it separately if you're already doing one of those. Amylase and lipase aren't in any package; they are ordered when symptoms point to the pancreas. Ask us on 8872524007 which package fits your doctor's list.
FAQ
Is a liver function test done on an empty stomach?
Usually it isn't required. Some doctors ask for an 8 to 12 hour overnight fast, so follow what is written on your slip. Water is allowed either way.
How soon is the LFT report ready?
Routine liver tests are usually reported the same day if the sample reaches us by about 11 am. You get a printed copy and a PDF on WhatsApp.
Can SGPT or bilirubin be tested without the full LFT?
Yes. Each value can be booked alone if that is what your doctor wants, which is common when one number is being rechecked.
Can liver test samples be collected at home?
Yes for the routine tests, in Banur and nearby villages daily and further out by appointment. The ammonia sample is the exception and has to be given at the lab.
Book a test
Bring your doctor's slip and any old reports so the reporting pathologist can compare. Call 8872524007, WhatsApp us, or use the contact page to book a liver function test or a pancreas test at Alpha Laboratory, Banur.
