LFTs Flashcards
Where is albumin synthesised?
The liver
If albumin is low, what may it indicate?
That synthetic function is impaired but protein loss is elsewhere
Where is AST found?
Mitochondrial enzyme which is found in the liver, heart, muscle, kidneys and brain
When is AST raised?
Hepatic necrosis, MI, muscle injury and congestive cardiac failure
What is ALT?
Cytosol enzyme produced by hepatocytes
Which is more specific to the liver - AST or ALT?
ALT - raised in liver disease
Where is Alkaline phosphatase produced?
In the biliary cells
When may ALP be raised?
In the presence of biliary injury e.g. obstruction, tumours
What does ALP suggest?
Obstructive jaundice formation
In which situation, other than the liver, may ALP be raised?
Produced in bone so in growing children or bone metastases
what does a raised GGT suggest?
Biliary injury related to alcohol abuse or related to fatty liver disease
What does raised bilirubin and raised ALP suggest?
Hepatocellular injury - liver metastasis and hepatitis
When does the prothrombin time become deranged?
Acute hepatic failure - fails to synthesis clotting factors
When is alpha feta protein values used?
To diagnose patients with focal lesions of the liver
In which disease is alpha feta proteins used as a screening test?
Cirrhotic patients at risk of developing hepatocellular carcinomas
