Liver Function Tests

Overview

• LFTS: liver function tests

Background

Outline

Indications

Intepratation

Transaminitis: 

• ALT/AST > 3x upper limit of normal

• AST/ ALT ratio > 2, suggests ALD (a shot of tequila), not diagnostic

• Alk P & GGT < twice upper limit of normal

• Causes: alcohol, viral hepatitis, paracetamol

Cholestatic: 

• Raised Alk P, GGT -  at least twice the upper limit of normal

• Bilirubin not always raised

• ALT/ AST usually less than twice upper limit of normal

• Causes: cholecystitis, pancreatic cancer, PBC/ PSC etc

Alcohol changes:

• raised MCV, GGT 

• AST  > ALT (2:1 ratio)

Markers of the liver's synthetic function

• INR

• Bilirubin

• Albumin

Resources and References

Page written in 2024.