GI week: Liver Function Tests Flashcards
Which of the following are low/high in liver failure
- glucose
- PT/INR
- albumin
- urea
- bilirubin
- Glucose: low
- PT/INR: high
- Albumin: low
- Urea: low
- Bilirubin: high
What markers are used to monitor cirrhosis
- Albumin
- Urea
Which is the most reliable hour to hour marker of liver function
PT/INR
prothrombin time/ international normalised ratio
What do LFTs normally consist of?
- ALT
- Alkaline phosphatase
- Gamma GT
- Albumin
- Bilirubin
Where in body is ALT normally found.
Muscle, heart, liver
In the context of LFT what does ALT indicate
Hepatocyte death
Where in body is alkaline phosphatase normally found
- Bone
- Hepatocytes that touch bile ducts
In the context of LFT what does alkaline phosphatase indicate
Bile duct obstruction (intra/extra hepatic)
What is Gamma GT used for
Confirmation that high ALT/alkaline phosphatase is due to liver
What does the following indicate a problem with:
Normal GGT + high ALT
Muscle/heart problem
What does the following indicate a problem with:
Normal GGT + high alkaline phosphatase
Bone problem e.g. fracture
Would alcoholic cirrhosis give an inflammatory or obstructive pattern? Why?
OBSTRUCTIVE (before inflammatory)
Just remember that hepatocyte swelling will block bile duct.
What might presence of anti-smooth muscle antibodies indicate?
Auto-immune hepatitis
What might presence of anti-mitochondrial antibodies indicate?
Primary biliary cirrhosis
What further investigations might one do to confirm obstructive liver condition?
- USS
- MRCP
- CT
