LFTs Flashcards
which tests test for liver function
albumin, prothrombin time and bilirubin
what does it mean if ALT is raised
hepatocellular injury
what does it mean if ALP is raised
cholestasis
what does it mean if GGT is raised
biliary epithelial damage and bile flow obstruction
alcohol and drugs
what does raised ALP and GGT mean
cholestasis
if only ALP is raised the this could mean:
bone metastases or primary bone tumours
vitamin D deficiency
recent bone fractures
renal osteodystrophy
what could be the cause if a patient is jaundiced but normal ALT and ALP
Gilbert’s syndrome
haemolysis
causes of unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia
- haemolysis (haemolytic anaemia)
- impaired hepatic uptake (drugs, congestive heart failure)
- imapired conjugation (Gilbert’s)
causes of conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia
hepatocellular injury
normal urine + normal stools = ?
pre hepatic cause
dark urine + normal stools = ?
hepatic cause
dark urine + pale stools = ?
post hepatic cause
what can low albumin mean
- liver disease (cirrhosis)
- inflammation triggering an acute phase response which temporarily decreases the liver’s production of albumin
- protein-looking enteropathies and nephrotic syndrome
what’s prothrombin time a measure of
the bloods coagulation tendency
what does an increase in PT indicate
liver disease and dysfunction
