Tests under this panel indicate normal or abnormal condition of the liver, a vital organ with many functions including the removal of toxic substances from blood. The tests are Total Protein, Albumin, Globulin, Total Bilirubin, and the liver enzymes - SGOT, SGPT and GGT. Some common causes of high level are chronic liver disease, dehydration, chronic infection and alcoholism. Low levels may be caused by severe liver disease / damage and malnutrition.

Hepatitis is the term given to inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis is most commonly caused by infection with viruses though it also frequently results from excessive alcohol use. The most common forms of viral hepatitis are Hepatitis A and B. Hepatitis A does not cause long-lasting infection. Patient recovered from Hepatitis A will have positive HAV lgG Ab and will be immune against the virus. Comparatively, Hepatitis B is riskier. When a person is exposed to Hepatitis B viral infection, the HBsAg will be positive after about 3 weeks. This antigen will remain for about 4 to 5 months where it will disappear when recovery takes place thereby HBsAg will be negative. In certain cases HBsAg will persist for very long periods (6 months or more) before it disappears. This group is known as suffering from chronic hepatitis B if the liver enzymes continue to remain high. However, there are cases where there is no recovery at all but the liver enzymes will return to normal. Such group is known as carrier of hepatitis B and the HBsAg will always be positive. Both groups are known to have higher risk of contracting liver failure and liver cancer than normal people