Understanding Liver Panel results? This guide provides comprehensive information on Liver Panel tests including ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, bilirubin, albumin, and total protein. Learn about normal ranges, elevated levels, clinical significance, medical coding, ICD-10 codes related to liver function tests, and documentation best practices for healthcare professionals. Find resources for interpreting abnormal liver blood test results and effective patient communication strategies.
Also known as
Symptoms and signs involving hepa
Abnormal liver function test results and other hepatic symptoms.
Diseases of liver
Covers various liver diseases that may necessitate a liver panel.
Abnormal alkaline phosphatase
Specifically for elevated alkaline phosphatase, often part of a liver panel.
When to use each related code
Description |
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Liver Panel |
Hepatitis Panel |
Bilirubin, Total and Direct |
Coding liver panel without specific diagnosis leads to claim denials and inaccurate severity reflection. Use specific ICD-10 codes.
Incorrectly billing individual liver tests when a panel code exists leads to overcharges. Use appropriate CPT panel codes for compliance.
Lack of supporting documentation for medical necessity of liver panel causes audit risks. Ensure proper chart documentation justifies testing.
Liver Panel Evaluation: Patient presented for evaluation of abnormal liver function tests (LFTs). Review of systems reveals possible symptoms including fatigue, abdominal pain or discomfort, nausea, jaundice, dark urine, light stools, pruritus, and loss of appetite. Past medical history includes (mention specific conditions like diabetes, hepatitis, alcohol use, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease NAFLD, or relevant medications). Family history is significant for (mention any family history of liver disease). Physical exam reveals (document findings like hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, ascites, or jaundice). Initial laboratory results show elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), andor total and direct bilirubin levels. Differential diagnosis includes viral hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, autoimmune hepatitis, drug-induced liver injury, biliary obstruction, and hereditary hemochromatosis. Further investigation may include hepatitis serologies, iron studies, imaging studies such as ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI of the abdomen, andor liver biopsy to determine the etiology of the abnormal liver panel. Patient education provided regarding lifestyle modifications, such as diet and exercise, and the importance of follow-up appointments. Treatment plan will be determined based on the underlying cause of the abnormal liver panel and may include medications, referral to a gastroenterologist or hepatologist, and ongoing monitoring of liver function tests.