LFT's Flashcards
What are the cytotoxic blood tests?
AST, ALT, Albumin, PT
What are ALT and AST?
Enzymes within the hepatocytes. When the hepatocyte dies, the enzymes get released.
When would you see raised ALT and AST?
Recent liver cell injury and hepatic inflammation.
What would you see in the LFT results of someone with liver failure?
Low AST and ALT/
What do we use ALT and AST for?
Hepatic inflammation.
What is albumin and where is it made?
A complex protein made in the liver
What does low albumin suggest?
Chronic liver injury.
What is PT?
Prothrombin time.
Which is the most sensitive LFT?
Prothrombin time.
Explain how PT shows evidence of liver damage.
Prothrombin time is a measure of how long clotting takes.
The liver produces many of the enzymes involved in the clotting process, if the liver is damaged, it can’t make these enzymes so clotting takes longer and prothrombin time increases.
What clotting factors does the liver make that effects PT?
Factors II, VII, IX, X
What can increase PT and is unrelated to the liver?
Decreased vitamin K, Anti-Coagulant drugs and haemophilia.
Which is more specific to the liver AST or ALT?
ALT - The L (for Liver) in the middle can help you remember.
In what liver condition would you see AST higher than ALT
Alcoholic fatty liver disease.
What is the half life of Albumin?
20 days.
