Affordable LFTs For Heavy Drinkers & Smokers
Explore affordable Liver Function Test (LFT) packages tailored for heavy drinkers and smokers. Early detection can help manage liver health and reduce long-term risks.
Written by
Last updated on 31st Jul, 2025
Affordable LFTs For Heavy Drinkers & Smokers
The liver is one of the body’s hardest-working organs, responsible for filtering toxins, processing nutrients, and supporting essential metabolic functions. Despite its resilience, liver damage can develop gradually and remain undetected for years, often showing no symptoms until the condition becomes serious. Men aged 30 to 55 who consume alcohol regularly or smoke are at a significantly higher risk of liver stress and long-term damage. Chronic exposure to alcohol and tobacco can silently impair liver function, increasing the likelihood of conditions such as fatty liver, hepatitis, and cirrhosis.
Regular Liver Function Tests (LFTs) provide a simple, affordable way to monitor liver health and detect early warning signs. This article outlines why LFTs are especially important for high-risk individuals, what the test involves, and how timely screening can support better liver and overall wellness.
Why Your Liver Deserves Regular Monitoring?
Located in the upper right side of your abdomen, the liver is your body’s natural detox centre. It plays a key role in:
- Filtering harmful substances like alcohol, nicotine, and medications
- Breaking down food into energy and essential nutrients
- Producing proteins that help your blood clot and maintain fluid balance
- Creating bile to aid digestion and absorb fat-soluble vitamins
- Storing nutrients such as iron, glucose, and vitamins A, D, E, K, and B12
Even mild liver damage can affect your energy, digestion, and immune system. That’s why regular LFTs are a smart, preventive step especially if your lifestyle includes alcohol or tobacco. They offer a clear picture of your liver’s condition and help guide any changes or treatment you may need.
Why Heavy Drinking & Smoking Put Your Liver at Risk?
The liver is incredibly resilient, capable of regenerating itself to a certain extent. However, continuous exposure to harmful substances, like those found in alcohol and tobacco, can overwhelm its capacity, leading to damage.
- Impact of Heavy Drinking: When you consume alcohol, your liver is primarily responsible for metabolising it. This process generates toxic by-products, such as acetaldehyde, which can directly injure liver cells. Over time, excessive alcohol intake can lead to a spectrum of conditions known as Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD):
- Fatty Liver (Steatosis): The earliest stage, where fat accumulates in liver cells, impairing function. It is often reversible if alcohol consumption stops.
- Alcoholic Hepatitis: Inflammation and destruction of liver cells, which can be acute and life-threatening.
Cirrhosis: The most severe stage, characterised by irreversible scarring of the liver. Scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue, significantly hindering its function and potentially leading to liver failure.
- Impact of Smoking: While alcohol’s effect on the liver is more direct and widely known, smoking also significantly contributes to liver damage. Toxins in cigarette smoke can:
- Induce oxidative stress and inflammation in liver cells.
- Worsen existing liver conditions, including viral hepatitis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
- Increase the risk of liver fibrosis and the progression to cirrhosis.
- Contribute to liver cancer.
Drinking alcohol and smoking tobacco can damage your liver without causing any obvious symptoms at first. You may feel completely fine while your liver is slowly becoming stressed or inflamed. Because liver disease often develops silently, early testing is the best way to catch problems before they become serious. Regular Liver Function Tests (LFTs) can help detect these changes early, giving you a better chance to protect your health and avoid long-term complications.
What Does a Liver Function Test (LFT) Measure?
A Liver Function Test (LFT) is a group of blood tests that evaluate how well your liver is working. These tests measure specific enzymes, proteins, and byproducts that are either produced by the liver or processed through it. Abnormal levels can indicate liver inflammation, damage, or impaired function.
Here’s what a typical LFT panel includes:
- Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT): An enzyme found mainly in the liver. Elevated levels often signal liver cell injury or inflammation.
- Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST): Present in the liver, heart, and muscles. High levels may indicate liver damage, but are less specific than ALT.
- Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP): Found in the liver and bile ducts. Elevated ALP can suggest bile duct obstruction or liver disease.
- Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT): Often elevated in alcohol-related liver damage or bile duct issues. It is commonly used alongside ALP to pinpoint the source of liver dysfunction.
- Bilirubin (Total, Direct, Indirect): A yellow pigment formed from the breakdown of red blood cells. High bilirubin levels may indicate problems with liver processing or bile flow and can lead to jaundice.
- Albumin: A protein made by the liver. Low levels may reflect impaired liver function or chronic liver disease.
- Total Protein: Measures the combined levels of albumin and globulins. Abnormal levels can indicate liver or kidney disorders.
- Prothrombin Time (PT): Sometimes included to assess how well the liver is producing clotting factors. A prolonged PT may suggest liver dysfunction.
- A/G Ratio (Albumin/Globulin Ratio): Helps evaluate the balance between the two major protein groups. An altered ratio may point to liver or immune-related conditions.
These tests provide a comprehensive picture of liver health and are often used to screen for liver disease, monitor existing conditions, or assess the effects of medications you are taking.
Apollo 24|7 Liver Test Packages: Accurate, Affordable and Convenient
Keeping track of your liver health is essential, especially if you have risk factors such as alcohol use, smoking, or a family history of liver disease. Apollo 24|7 offers a range of liver function test packages that are designed to be both clinically reliable and easy to access, helping you stay proactive about your well-being.
Here’s why Apollo 24|7 is a trusted choice:
- Accurate Testing: All liver function tests are conducted in NABL-accredited laboratories, ensuring high standards of precision and reliability.
- Home Sample Collection: Certified phlebotomists can collect your sample from the comfort of your home at a time that suits you, including weekends.
- Quick Digital Reports: Results are typically available within 24 to 48 hours and can be accessed securely through the Apollo 24|7 app or website.
- Flexible Test Options: Whether you need a basic liver panel or a more comprehensive package, Apollo 24|7 offers choices tailored to your health needs.
With a focus on quality, convenience and affordability, Apollo 24|7 makes it easier to take charge of your liver health.
When and How Often Should You Get a Liver Function Test (LFT)
Liver Function Tests (LFTs) are an important part of maintaining liver health, especially for individuals with higher risk factors. The timing and frequency of these tests depend on your lifestyle, symptoms, and medical history. Here's a clear guide:
- If you drink alcohol or smoke regularly: Annual LFTs are generally recommended. If your doctor identifies elevated risk or abnormal results, they may suggest testing every six months.
- If you experience symptoms of liver issues: Symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, abdominal discomfort, dark urine, pale stools, or yellowing of the skin or eyes should prompt immediate medical attention and an LFT.
- If you have chronic conditions or take liver-impacting medications: People with diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, or those on long-term medications should undergo LFTs as part of their regular health monitoring.
- If you have a family history of liver disease: Inherited conditions can increase your risk, so periodic testing is advisable even if you feel well.
- As part of routine health check-ups: For adults over 40 or those with lifestyle-related risks, LFTs may be included in annual or biennial screenings.
Your healthcare provider will recommend the most appropriate testing schedule based on your individual health profile. Regular LFTs help detect liver problems early and support timely intervention.
Conclusion
Your liver plays a central role in keeping your body healthy, but it is also susceptible to damage. This is especially true if you smoke or drink alcohol frequently. Since many liver diseases progress without noticeable symptoms, early detection becomes essential for effective treatment. Liver Function Tests (LFTs) are a simple and affordable way to monitor your liver's condition and identify potential problems at an early stage. When combined with healthy lifestyle habits, regular testing can help reduce the risk of complications and promote long-term health.
Apollo 24|7 makes liver screening accessible through accurate testing, convenient home sample collection, and fast digital reporting. Taking a small step today can help protect your health for the future.
