Liver Function Tests Flashcards
1
Q
aminotransferases
A
1) Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
2) Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
both are elevated with hepatocyte injury
2
Q
alkaline phosphotase
A
elevation indicates cholestasis (gallstones)
3
Q
bilirubin
A
measures liver’s ability to detoxify metabolites and transport organic anions into bile
**when elevated can show impaired hepatic function.. determine whether it is mostly direct (conjugated) or indirect (unconjugated)
4
Q
albumin
A
severe impairment in liver function reduces albumin (liver failure)
- synthesized exclusively in the liver
- hypoalbuminemia can occur with heart failure, malnutrition, and nephrotic syndromes too
5
Q
prothrombin time
A
reflects the degree of liver failure
- PT increases as the ability of the liver to synthesize clotting factors diminishes
- correlates with severity of liver failure/hepatic dysfunction
- AKA INR