Which of the following is NOT part of the liver function tests (LFT)?

• A. AST
• B. CK-MB
• C. ALT
• D. Alk Phos

Answer: (B)

Liver function tests (LFTs) are a group of blood tests used to assess the health of the liver and identify any liver damage or disease. Common components of LFTs include AST (aspartate aminotransferase), ALT (alanine aminotransferase), and alkaline phosphatase (Alk Phos).

AST and ALT are enzymes found in the liver that play a crucial role in amino acid metabolism. Elevated levels of these enzymes in the blood can indicate liver cell injury, which can be due to conditions such as hepatitis or liver cirrhosis. Alkaline phosphatase is another enzyme that, when elevated, can reflect biliary obstruction or liver disease.

CK-MB, on the other hand, refers to the creatine kinase-MB, which is primarily associated with cardiac muscle and is used to assess myocardial infarction or damage to the heart. It is not related to liver function and therefore does not belong to the group of tests aimed at evaluating liver health. Hence, identifying CK-MB as not part of the liver function tests is accurate, as it indicates a focus on cardiac rather than hepatic function.