Lab Medicine Flashcards
1
Q
amylase
A
- greatly increased in EARLY phase of acute pancreatitis
- amylase is more sensitive than lipase but less accurate
- inflammation in pancreas and salivary glands may cause amylase to enter the blood
2
Q
aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
A
-
3
Q
alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
A
-AST:ALT = 2:1 helps confirm alcohol etiology
4
Q
alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
A
- where do these come from: liver and bone!
- liver disease, bone mets
- add GGT test helps det. hepatic (elevated) or bone (normal)
- causes: gi obstruction, liver dz, bone dz (pagets, rickets, osteomalacia)
5
Q
biliruben-direct/indirect and total
A
- total: if elevated, fractionate for direct and indirect levels
- indirect=unconjugated (increase PRODUCTION; impaired biliruben uptake)
- direct=conjugated (liver dysfunction; biliary obstruction)
6
Q
albumin
A
- synth. in liver
- influenced by nutrition, renal/hepatic function
- low levels consider chronic liver dz
- increase: dehydration, shock
- decrease: low hep. synth, increased losses
7
Q
lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)
A
- when tissue dies LDH spills into blood
- very nonspecific
- ischemic bowel
8
Q
gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT)
A
-
9
Q
total protein
A
- major proteins are albumin and globulin
- causes of increase: marked dehydration, drugs
- causes of decrease: chronic liver dz, inflamm bowel dz, diet, malabsorption, alcoholism, nephrotic syndrome
10
Q
lipase
A
- damage to liver or pancreas
- more accurate than amylase/more specific
- elevated in pancreatitis (acute/chronic)
- elevation occurs later than amylase peak
11
Q
urea breath test
A
- test of choice to confirm eradication of h. pylori after tx
- drink urea and blow into tube
12
Q
gastrin
A
- hormone secreted that increases gastric acid production
- used to check gastrinoma (10x normal) =pathonomonic
- also increased in hypo/achlorhydria (most common)
- decreased: antrectomy with vagotomy, hypothyroidism
13
Q
SAAG gradient
A
-
14
Q
H. pylori antibody serology
A
- rarely used
- we have less invasive
15
Q
IgA endomysial antibody test
A
- test while on gluten rich diet
- highly specific test for celiac dz
