One test result alone usually can’t diagnose a liver condition. This page explains what results may mean and questions to ask your medical team about next steps.
Diagnosing a liver condition can take some time. There is usually not one test that can give you a clear diagnosis or tell you about the stage of your condition.
Most people will have several different tests. Your medical team will look at the results from all of these together, alongside information about any risk factors or symptoms.
It is quite common to be asked to have the same tests again. The results of some tests can go up and down over time. So repeating the test can give a better idea of what is going on than just doing it once.
On this page we have general information about what different types of test result might mean and what should happen next. But it is important to get personal advice from your medical team. We also have some questions you can ask them to help you to get the most from your appointment.
On this page:
Getting your liver test results
Ideally, you would be able to get your test results in person. Then have chance to talk to a doctor or nurse about what they mean and what will happen next. But we know that many people get results online, in a letter, or from an app.
If you are not sure about what any of your results mean, and you do not have an appointment with a specialist, the first step is to talk to your GP. They should be able to explain the test results and what will happen next. If needed, they can refer you to a specialist.
Getting information about liver tests online
We do not recommend trying to find information online about specific test results.
What is considered normal is different for different people. Comparing your results with other people’s, for example in online groups, will not be reliable.
The normal or reference range for tests will be different depending on where you had your test or which lab tested your samples. Any reference ranges you find online are very unlikely to be right for you.
We have found problems with the way that AI tools explain liver test results. At the moment you cannot rely on AI when making important health decisions.
If all your liver test results are normal
If all of your tests are normal, then this is good news. Your liver is probably doing well.
What happens next?
If you were having tests at a hospital, you will probably be sent back to your GP.
If you have symptoms of liver disease, it is very important to find out what is going on. It could be that you have a different condition. Or you might need to wait a while and then have some tests again.
A liver blood test on its own cannot say for sure if you have a liver condition or not. If this is the only test you had you may need other tests. You might also hear a liver blood test called an “LFT” test.
Find out more about liver blood tests and what their results could mean.
Even if your results were all normal it is a good idea to find out if you have any risk factors for liver disease. Most cases of liver disease can be prevented. Finding out about your risks and taking action now will help to keep your liver healthy.
Find out about your risk factors with our at-risk checker.
Questions to ask your medical team about test results
- If my results are normal but I still have symptoms, what can we do next?
- Should I have any of the tests again to check nothing has changed?
- If I have any risk factors for liver disease is there any help available for me?
If some of your liver test results were not normal
It is quite common to have a combination of test results where some are normal and some are not.
It is also common to have some results that are not quite normal even if you are completely healthy. The results of some tests naturally go up and down over time. So you might be asked to come back and have some of the tests again before a liver condition can be diagnosed or ruled out.
Doctors often have to test for lots of different conditions to find out which you might have. Your doctor can talk you through your results and how they fit together.
What happens next?
What happens next will depend on what type of liver disease you might have and what stage it is at.
Find out more about:
- Tests for liver conditions
- Liver conditions
- The stages of liver disease.
- ELF and Fib4 tests for the stage of fibrosis.
- Child-Pugh, UKELD and MELD scores for the stages of cirrhosis
Some liver conditions can be looked after by your GP, especially if they are at an early stage. For others you will be under the care of a specialist team.
If you are not sure who should be looking after you, talk to your GP.
Questions to ask your medical team about test results
- Can you give me a diagnosis based on all my test results?
- Should I have any other tests?
- If I need treatment, where will this be and who will be responsible for my care?
- Who can I contact if I have problems or questions while I am waiting for my next appointment? How do I get in touch with them?
- Are there any “red flag” symptoms I should look out for? What should I do if they happen?
If any of your liver tests were “borderline”
You might be told a result was only just inside the normal range. Or that it was slightly outside it. This is usually nothing to worry about. For blood tests about 1 in 20 healthy people will get a result that is not in the normal range. It is the combination of all your results put together that is important.
But it is worth asking your specialist or GP to explain your result, what should happen next, and why they think the result is not a problem.
Questions to ask your medical team about borderline test results
- Can you explain what my result means and what my options are now?
- Should I have any more tests?
- Should I repeat any of my tests to see if anything changes?
- If you do not think I have a liver condition, how confident are you in that?
- Is there any support available to me if I want to make changes to help my liver?
- Are there any signs or symptoms I should look out for? What should I do if I experience them?
Support
How Liver UK can help
A diagnosis of liver disease can be worrying, and you may have a lot of questions.
We're here for you and for your family and friends. Whether you have questions or just need someone to listen, we can help.
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This content was last reviewed: August 2025
Our expert reviewers:
We would like to thank everyone who helped with creating and reviewing this page. Including Professor Stephen Ryder, Consultant Hepatologist at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS trust. And all our patient reviewers.
Find out how we make our patient information.
Everyone’s experience of liver disease will be different. Always talk to your specialist medical team for personal advice.
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