liver function test interpretation (geeky medics)

Question 1

what does raised ALT/AST levels meant

Answer 1

hepatocellular injury

Question 2

what causes hepatocellular injury

Answer 2

• hepatitis
• liver cirrhosis
• drug/toxin induced liver injury
• malignancy

Question 3

what does a >2:1 AST:ALT ratio mean

Answer 3

alcoholic liver disease

Question 4

what does raised ALP mean

Answer 4

cholestasis or bone disease

Question 5

what dies raised ALP with normal GGT mean

Answer 5

bone disease

Question 6

what does raised ALP with raised GGT mean

Answer 6

cholestasis

Question 7

what does raised GGT mean on its own

Answer 7

alcohol excess

Question 8

what is cholestasis

Answer 8

an interruption in bile flow from hepatocytes to the small intestine

Question 9

when does jaundice happen

Answer 9

when bilirubin exceeds 50mmol

Question 10

what does raised bilirubin mean

Answer 10

jaundice

Question 11

how to tell if its prehepatic jaundice

Answer 11

the other LFTs are normal,, only bilirubin is raised

Question 12

how to tell if its hepatocellular jaundice

Answer 12

there will be high ALT/AST and high UNCONJUGATED bilirubin

Question 13

how to tell if its cholestatic jaundice

Answer 13

high ALP/GGT and high CONJUGATED bilirubin

Question 14

what does low albumin indicate

Answer 14

decreased albumin production:
- malnutrition, severe liver disease

increased albumin loss:
- nephrotic syndrome etc

Question 15

what indicates severe liver disease

Answer 15

• low albumin
• increased prothrombin time

Question 16

how does the ALT to ALP rise determine if its cholestatic or hepatocellular

Answer 16

• a greater than 10 fold increase in ALT and less than 3 fold increase in ALP means hepatocellular injury
• a less than 10 fold increase in ALT and more than 3 fold increase increase in ALP means cholestasis