Abnormal Liver Function Tests (LFTs)

This condition is treated in the Gastroenterology clinic.

Pre-referral work-up

History

All referrals should comply with referral standards and specifically include:

• Alcohol and drug history
• Height, weight and BMI

Tests

Pathology:

LFT

U&E

FBC

HBV serology

HCV serology

Imaging:

Upper abdominal USS report

Investigations:

Nil

Interim/GP management

To refer a patient with this condition, please see the Gastroenterology clinic page for the full referral process and templates.

For more information please see the HealthPathways Tasmania website.

Clinic appointments

🚩 Red location flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention. They may or may not indicate an emergency.

Emergency

🚩 Potentially life-threatening symptoms suggestive of:

• Acute severe GI bleeding
• Acute liver failure
• Sepsis in a patient with cirrhosis
• Severe encephalopathy in a patient with liver disease

If you, or someone else, are experiencing a serious and life-threatening injury or illness call triple zero (000) immediately or go to the nearest Emergency Department.

Learn more about when to access emergency care and non-emergency care options if the injury or illness is not serious or life-threatening.

Urgent (Category 1)

Abnormal liver function tests with ALT over 500 and/or concerning features (select those applicable):

• Evidence of liver decompensation
• Jaundice
• Ascites
• Encephalopathy

We will endeavour to see these patients within four weeks

Urgent referrals should be accompanied by a phone call to the clinic and the relevant doctor for urgent assessment, or patient should be directed immediately to the Emergency Department.

Semi-urgent (Category 2)

Abnormal liver function tests +/- Low platelets and/or splenomegaly without concerning features (see above)

Availability

North

Launceston General Hospital
Level 3 - Specialist Clinics

Phone: 1300 977 694
Fax: 03 6777 5227

North West

All North West referrals are managed via  Mersey Community Hospital
Phone: 03 6478 5222
Fax: 03 6441 5942

South

Wellington Clinics (Level 10)
Phone: 03 6166 0000
Fax: 03 6234 3982