Meaning & use
LFT
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Meanings
abbreviationcountablemedical
Short for liver function test, a blood test that checks how well the liver is working.
Grammar: Often plural: the LFTs were normal.
Patterns
- LFTs are abnormal
- an LFT result
The doctor ordered an LFT after the patient reported fatigue and yellow skin.
Her LFTs were slightly raised, so they repeated the test.
Some medicines need regular LFT monitoring.
abbreviationcountableBritish
Short for lateral flow test, a quick self-test device that shows a result on a small strip, widely used for COVID-19 in Britain.
Grammar: A countable noun: take an LFT.
Patterns
- take an LFT
- a positive LFT
He took an LFT before visiting his grandmother.
The school asked pupils to do an LFT twice a week.
A positive LFT meant staying home for several days.
Word forms
| plural | LFTs |
|---|
Common combinations
- abnormal LFTs
- Abnormal LFTs led to further scans.
- order an LFT
- The GP ordered an LFT as part of routine bloods.
- take an LFT
- Take an LFT if you develop symptoms.
- positive LFT
- A positive LFT should be reported online.
Synonyms and how they differ
- liver panel
- This is the common American term for the group of blood tests that LFT names in British use.
- rapid test
- This is a wider term that covers any quick test, whereas LFT in the second sense is a specific kind of kit.
Word family
Commonly confused: LFT or PCR?
LFT vs PCR
A PCR test is processed in a laboratory and is more sensitive, while an LFT gives a quick result at home.
Practice
A doctor says, 'Your LFTs are raised.' What is being tested?
Choose one answer.
In a medical setting LFT stands for liver function test. The other options begin with similar words but are not what the abbreviation means.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “LFT”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.