Which test is most appropriate to evaluate liver function in suspected hepatocellular disease by assessing albumin and bilirubin?

• A. T4/TSH
• B. Troponin
• C. LFTs
• D. Urine preg

Answer: (C)

When evaluating suspected hepatocellular disease, testing that directly reflects how well the liver is functioning is most informative. Liver Function Tests are designed for this, and they include measurements of albumin and bilirubin. Albumin shows the liver’s synthetic capacity to produce proteins; low levels suggest impaired liver function. Bilirubin reflects the liver’s ability to process and excrete waste pigment; elevations indicate dysfunction in conjugation or excretion, which is common in liver disease. Together with other enzymes like AST and ALT, LFTs provide a clear picture of hepatocellular injury and overall liver function. The other tests target unrelated systems—T4/TSH for thyroid, troponin for heart, and a urine pregnancy test—so they don’t assess liver function in this context.