Liver Function tests Flashcards
What is more sensitive ALT or AST?
- ALT
Where is AST found?
- cytosol and mitochondria of cells
- not specific for the liver
AST rise may be subjective of?
- liver damage
- any organ damage
High ALT doesn’t always mean a high prognosis?
True or false?
- TRUE
What is the function of alkaline phosphatase
- catalyse a number of organic phosphotaste
- found in the biliary cells
Is alkaline phosphatase specific to the liver?
- No
- found in bone, placenta, intestine and kidneys
What is the function of gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT)
- Enzyme involved in gluthionine metabolism
- transfer of amino acids across cellular membranes and leukortrine metabolism
Elevated ALP, and Gamma Glutamyl Transpeptidase (GGT)
- not bone origin
- most likely liver origin
Define conjugated?
- water soluble
- can be excreted
Elevated bilirubin, normal over liver function tests
- conjugation issue?
What does prothrombin time measure?
- measures the conversion time from PT -> Thrombin
- reflects components of the liver
Elevated prothrombin time (PT)
- reflects poor PT
- drugs (warfarin)
- bile malabsorption
- Consumptive coagulopathies
What drugs may alter liver function tests?
- antibiotics
- antidepressants
- HMG Co A inhibitors (statins)
- NSAIDs
- OTC
Cause of
ALT/AST > ALP
- Hepatocellular injury
Cause of
ALP> ALT/AST
- Cholestasis
Cause of elevated PT/INR?
- Prolonged jaundice
- malabsorbition
An AST:ALT ratio >2 may suggest?
- alcohol
What other conditions may cause a transaminase rise?
- Coeliac disease
- muscle disorder
- creatine kinase
Increased bilirubin (unconjugated) may be caused by what?
- extra/intravascular haemolysis
- extravasarton of blood into tissues
- impaired hepatic bilirubin uptake (heart failure)
Increased bilirubin (conjugated) may be caused by what?
- extrahepatic cholestasis
- intrahepatic cholestasis
- drugs
Extrahepatic cholestasis may also be called what?
- what causes it?
- biliary obstruction
- may be caused, by pancreatic tumours, pancreatitis,
- cholelithiasis (gall stones)
What are some symptoms of acute liver function?
- jaundice
- encephalopathy (altered mental state)
- coagulopathy (bleeding disorder)
High AST levels?
- liver damage
- may be from paracetamol
