LFTs Flashcards
Where is albumin produced?
Synthetic product of the liver
What does albumin do?
Binds to steroids and maintains oncotic pressure
Is albumin a marker of early or chronic liver damage?
Chronic marker of disease as it has a long half life
How is prothrombin time increased?
disturbance in liver function leads to abnormal coagulation which increases prothrombin time
Does prothrombin time have a short or long half life?
Short half life therefore very good indicator of early liver damage
Bilirubin deposition causes what?
Jaundice
Where is ALP found?
Membrane of the liver
bones and placenta
What does an increase in ALP suggest?
intra- or post-hepatic cholestasis
pregnancy, Paget’s disease, osteomalacia, growing kids, bony mets
What are ALT and AST and where are they found?
Aminotransferases (enzymes)
cytoplasm of hepatocytes
What does an increase in ALT/AST suggest?
hepatocyte necrosis
small increase - MI or skeletal muscle damage
What is GGT and where is it found?
enzyme found in hepatocytes and bile ducts
What is an increased GGT useful in confirming?
A liver cause of isolated increase in ALP
What is GGT also significantly raised in?
with alcohol and drugs even in the absence of liver disease
How would biliary damage present on LFTs?
ALP increased compared to ALT/AST
How would hepatocyte necrosis present on LFTs?
ALT/AST increase compared to ALP
