Liver Tests Flashcards
Describe protein degradation in the liver
- Transamination: Transfer of amino groups to form new amino acids. Alanine transaminase (ALT) or aspartate transaminase (AST)
- Deamination: AA’s converted to carbohydrate by removal of ammonia which is converted to urea and excreted by the kidneys.
Describe protein synthesis in the liver
- Synthesizes 90% of plasma proteins and 15% of total proteins
- albumin, immune function, c-reactive protein, ceruplasm, alpha 1 antitriypsin, ferritin, transferrin, prothrombin, lipoproteins (LDL, HDL, VLDL)
Describe carb/glucose control in the liver
glucose stored as glycogen in the liver
Describe lipid metabolism in the liver
liver produces lipoproteins and synthesizes cholesterol & phospholipids
Describe bile production in the liver
Produced and secreted by hepatocytes into biliary tree, drains into the gallbladder, secreted into small intestine to digest fats.
Describe the function of the liver as it relates to clotting
List 4 routine liver tests
What are the 4 main patterns of liver injury and how are they measured
Describe the markers of liver injury (AST and ALT)
What are the 3 liver test markers for cholestasis
- alk phos
- GGT
- bilirubin
Describe the alk phos test (marker for cholestasis)
can be elevated in bone growth
Describe GGT tests (marker for cholestasis)
Describe bilirubin tests (marker for cholestasis)
What two tests measure synthetic function (your actual liver function)
Describe the presentation and liver test findings for chronic liver disease
Describe the presentation & liver test findings for acute hepatitis
Describe the presentation and liver test findings for fulminant hepatitis
List some common causes of elevated liver tests
- Viral (Hep A-E, EBV, CMV, HSV)
- Metabolic (NAFLD, alc)
- Drugs (meds/supplements)
- Autoimmune
- Genetic (Wilson’s, hemochromatosis, A1A trypsin deficiency)
- Ischemic injury/shock
- Gallstone/Liver/Biliary lesion
List some hepatocellular injuries