Liver Function Tests

Question 1

What are the 2 main test to assess the liver’s synthetic function?

Answer 1

Albumin
Prothrombin time

Question 2

Is ALT more specific for hepatocellular injury or biliary obstruction?

Answer 2

Hepatocellular injury

Question 3

Is ALP more specific for hepatocellular injury or biliary obstruction?

Answer 3

Biliary obstruction (made by bile ducts in response to excess bile)

Question 4

Is gamma-GT more related to hepatocellular injury or biliary obstruction?

Answer 4

Biliary obstruction
Useful as not raised in bone disease like ALP
Also raised in alcohol consumption (unsure how relevant that is)

Question 5

If both ALT and ALP are raised, how to tell if more likely hepatocellular injury or biliary obstruction?

Answer 5

If ALT >10 times reference range then more likely hepatocellular
If ALP >3 times reference range then more likely biliary obstruction
If both raised above these thresholds then could be mixed picture