Liver Disease

Question 1

Name all types of jaundice and differences.

Answer 1

1) haemolytic jaundice (breakdown too much RBC/Hb release) due to infection, autoimmune disease
2) hepatic jaundice (conjugation of bilirubin coz of hepatocytes) due to hepatitis/cirrhosis
3) obstructive jaundice (build up and backflow of bilirubin) due to gall stones and in/external tumor of bile duct

Question 2

What are the symptoms of liver disease?

Answer 2

Jaundice, ascites, GI bleeding (varices (cirrhosis and malignancy), clotting abnormalities, encephalopathy)

Question 3

What are tested in LFT?

Answer 3

Bilirubin (<20 micromol/L) - haem breakdown and excreted from liver in bile

Aminotransferases (7-55 units/L) ALP and ALT in hepatocytes, cell damage then leakage

Alkaline Phosphatase - ALP (44-147 IU/L) enzyme at sinusoidal membrane in liver and elevated when cholestasis -blockage of bile drainage causing obstructive jaundice

Albumins (35-55 g/L) protein synthesises in liver, it decreases in chronic liver damage

Question 4

What other tests can be done other than LFT to test for liver function?

Answer 4

FBC (WCC, Hb, MCV, Platelet)

U+E (decrease in liver failure, increase in GI bleeding)

Creatinine ( increase in liver disease- hepatorenal syndrome)

INR/ prothrombin time (chronic liver diseases decrease clotting factor production)