LFTs & Jaundice Flashcards
What are the things that we include in LFTs?
Albumin ALT AST ALP Bilirubin
If liver function is reduced, how can albumin levels help us determine this?
Impaired liver function results in lower levels of albumin
as livers synthetic function is decreased
What can clotting factors be used to determine relating to the liver?
Synthetic function of the liver
If albumin levels are low, what clinical sign develops?
Oedema
What else can cause low albumin levels apart from liver dysfunction?
Kidney disease- Nephrotic syndrome
Low protein diet/ Malnutrition
Can levels of ALT and AST ever go down?
Yes
Can be normal to have low levels
Which out of ALT and AST is more indicative of liver pathology as oppose to other organs?
ALT
In which situation might ALT be higher than AST?
Chronic liver disease
Cirrhosis
A raised ALP is associated with what?
Damaged bile duct
High bone turnover
Pagets disease
Pregnancy
What test can be used to specify that raised ALP is due to liver damage rather than one of the other causes?
Gamma GT (GGT)
What is bilirubin?
Breakdown of haem that is secreted in urine and faeces
Causes of jaundice can be broken down into which three broad categories?
Pre-hepatic
Hepatic
Post-hepatic
What is the cause of pre-hepatic jaundice?
Too much haem
Haemolytic anaemias
What is the cause of hepatic jaundice?
Reduced liver function (drugs,autoimmune,infection)
What is the cause of post-hepatic jaundice?
Obstructive causes (mass)
