Can I drink water before a liver function test?
Jan 24, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Gao Jun
Introduction
In general, it is not recommended to drink water before a liver function test. It is important to maintain healthy lifestyle habits, such as avoiding excessive fatigue, staying up late, alcohol consumption, and other unhealthy behaviors, as these may damage the liver and affect the accuracy of the liver function test results. At the same time, prior to the test, you should follow the doctor's instructions carefully to ensure accurate test results.
Generally, drinking water is not recommended before undergoing a liver function test. The detailed explanation is as follows:
Liver function tests primarily involve drawing blood samples to measure indicators such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), bilirubin, and albumin, in order to evaluate liver function. Drinking water may dilute the blood, thereby affecting the accuracy of these indicators. Although some doctors believe that minimal water intake may have little impact on liver function test results, to ensure accuracy and reliability, it is generally recommended to fast, including no water consumption, before a liver function test.
Maintaining healthy lifestyle habits is important. One should avoid excessive fatigue, staying up late, alcohol consumption, and other harmful behaviors, as these can damage the liver and affect the results of liver function tests. Additionally, prior to testing, it is essential to strictly follow the doctor's instructions for preparation to ensure accurate test results.
