Liver Testing: Difference between revisions
Created page with "The following markers are commonly used to evaluate liver function and assess disease. * ALP * ALT * AST * GGT * LDH * Bilirubin * Albumin * Total protein Additionally, hematology tests may provide some indication of disease states, including: * Peripheral blood film * Coagulation testing Other testing may be performed for specific liver-related diseases. * Hepatitis B ** * Hepatitis C" |
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The following markers are commonly used to evaluate liver function and assess disease. | The following markers are commonly used to evaluate liver function and assess disease. | ||
* ALP | * Alkaline phosphotase (ALP) | ||
* ALT | * Alanine transaminase (ALT) | ||
* AST | * Aspartate amino transferase (AST) | ||
* GGT | * Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) | ||
* LDH | * Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) | ||
* Bilirubin | * Bilirubin | ||
* Albumin | * Albumin | ||
| Line 20: | Line 20: | ||
** | ** | ||
* Hepatitis C | * Hepatitis C | ||
** anti-HCV antibody testing | |||
** HCV RNA nucleic acid testing (quantitative or qualitative) | |||
== Overview == | |||
Elevated liver markers can indicate liver disorders or be due to other causes as they are often non-specific | |||
* AST may be increased due to liver disease, or due to damage to cardiac or skeletal muscle | |||
** Associated with liver disorders including hepatitis | |||
** Moderately increased in alcoholic cirrhosis - tends to be 2x that of ALT | |||
* '''ALT is found mainly in liver''', but also in heart and skeletal muscle | |||
** Often increased with liver diseases | |||
** Highest in viral hepatitis | |||
* GGT is found in liver, along with other areas like the kidney, brain, prostate, and pancreas | |||
** '''Most sensitive for liver disease''', but not very specific! | |||
** Associated with bile duct obstruction and chronic alcoholism | |||
* ALP non-specific | |||
* LDH consists of 5 isoenzymes, and is not specific | |||
Hepatitis C | |||
* anti-HCV antibody testing detects current or past infection (detectable at 8-11 weeks) | |||
* HCV RNA testing detects current infection (detectable at 1-2 weeks) | |||
Latest revision as of 22:17, 11 May 2025
The following markers are commonly used to evaluate liver function and assess disease.
- Alkaline phosphotase (ALP)
- Alanine transaminase (ALT)
- Aspartate amino transferase (AST)
- Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT)
- Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)
- Bilirubin
- Albumin
- Total protein
Additionally, hematology tests may provide some indication of disease states, including:
- Peripheral blood film
- Coagulation testing
Other testing may be performed for specific liver-related diseases.
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- anti-HCV antibody testing
- HCV RNA nucleic acid testing (quantitative or qualitative)
Overview
Elevated liver markers can indicate liver disorders or be due to other causes as they are often non-specific
- AST may be increased due to liver disease, or due to damage to cardiac or skeletal muscle
- Associated with liver disorders including hepatitis
- Moderately increased in alcoholic cirrhosis - tends to be 2x that of ALT
- ALT is found mainly in liver, but also in heart and skeletal muscle
- Often increased with liver diseases
- Highest in viral hepatitis
- GGT is found in liver, along with other areas like the kidney, brain, prostate, and pancreas
- Most sensitive for liver disease, but not very specific!
- Associated with bile duct obstruction and chronic alcoholism
- ALP non-specific
- LDH consists of 5 isoenzymes, and is not specific
Hepatitis C
- anti-HCV antibody testing detects current or past infection (detectable at 8-11 weeks)
- HCV RNA testing detects current infection (detectable at 1-2 weeks)