Liver Function Testing


Total bilirubin

3.2 mg/dL

(0.2–1.2 mg/dL)

Direct bilirubin

2.8 mg/dL

(0.1–0.4 mg/dL)

AST

14 U/L

(10–40 U/L)

ALT

35 U/L

(7–56 U/L)

Alk phos

260 IU/L

(44–147 IU/L)

γGT

73 IU/L

(0–30 IU/L)

Glucose

81 mg/dL

(79.2 to 110 mg/dL)

Albumin

3.9

(3.4 to 5.4 g/dL)





Questions


  1. 1.


    What are liver function tests, and what are the different ways we can monitor liver function via blood tests?

     

  2. 2.


    Why might the bilirubin be elevated?

     

  3. 3.


    What are AST and ALT?

     

  4. 4.


    Why are alkaline phosphatase and γGT elevated?

     

  5. 5.


    Why order blood glucose?

     

  6. 6.


    Are there any other tests that might reflect liver function?

     

  7. 7.


    What might be the next steps to use or further investigate these results?

     



Answers


  1. 1.


    Liver function tests can [1]:



    • Detect the presence of liver disease and dysfunction


    • Distinguish between different types of liver disorders


    • Monitor the extent of liver damage


    • Monitor responses to treatment

     


Sep 23, 2017 | Posted by in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Liver Function Testing

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