Biochemistry Flashcards
true/false - PSA is diagnostic of prostate cancer
false - there are lots of false positives due to BPH so it cannot be diagnostic
what enzymes signify muscle damage
CK and AST
what enzymes signify cardiac damage
Troponins, AST, CK, LDH
what enzymes signify haematological damage
AT, LDH
what enzymes signify liver damage
AST/ALT alk phos, gamma GT
what enzymes signify pancreatic damage
lipase and amylase
what enzyme signifies bone damage
Alk Phos
what bone cells secrete alk phos
osteoblasts, raised in increased bone turnover
why would you be concerned about raised alk phos in terms of cancer and what can be done to exclude DDx
metastasis to bone/liver
Gamma GT signifies liver mets but does not rule out bone mets so get a radioisotope bone scan
what cancers would cause a cholestatic LFT derangement
malignant lymph nodes surrounding the CBD
cholangiocarcinoma
tumour at head of pancreas
explain why a cholestatic LFT derangement is formed
bilirubin raised as bile is static and backs up into liver, overspill into blood
alk phos raised, it lines the biliary tree
ALT raised a little due to hepatocellular damage
a raised SAAG in ascites is indicative of?
any pathology that causes portal hypertension
what is the treatment for hypercalcaemia? explain why you would administer these treatments
IV fluids for dehydration, calcium decreases Na and water reabsorption
bisphosphonate, prevents bones resorption of calcium
describe the control PTH has on calcium uptake in decreased serum calcium
Decreased serum Ca causes increased PTH
promotes bone resorption of Ca, increased renal reabsorption and increased vitamin D in GI tract
if someone has malignancy with low PTH and high serum calcium, what could be causing their hypercalcaemia
PTHrp, not picked up in the PTH assay
