Jaundice Flashcards
1
Q
Jaundice
A
Yellow discolouration of the skin, eye and other tissues
Due to a build up of bilirubin in tissue fluids and bloodstream.
In excess of 2mg/ml
2
Q
how do you diagnose and stage liver disease ?
A
Bilirubin
Liver enzymes (AST/ALT)
Hepatobiliary enzymes (gGT, Alk Phos)
Albumin
Total protein
Autoantibodies/ Antibody titre
Haematology
Viral markers
Metabolic indicators
Tumour markers
3
Q
Bilirubin Metabolism
A
Bilirubin is a product of Haem Catabolism
From red blood cells, myoglobin, cytochromes and peroxidases
Daily production is about 250-300mg/day
Total bile salt pool is about 3.5g
– need lots for excretion of substances and for digestion
- lose some through fecal route
Thus bile salts are recycled
6-8 times a day
