Liver Function Tests (from Australian Family Physician | P)
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What are LFTs?
These are a panel of markers
What is the fxn of LFTs?
These are used to assess and monitor several diseases
Are all LFTs considered as true tests of liver function?
No, not all LFTs are true tests of liver function
Are abnormalities present in the human body may reflect presence of liver disease?
No, abnormalities may not reflect liver disease
What are the indications for liver fxn testing?
1) Investigating and monitoring pts w/ suspected liver disease 2) At risk pt grps 3) Monitoring malignancy 4) Before initiating and monitoring hepatotoxic medications
True or False There is no cost effectiveness data for the use of LFTs
True
What is the percentage of the population w/c may have an abnormal result (usually mild) at any 1 time?
2.5% of the healthy population
Is a blood test required for LFTs?
No
Is special preparation such as fasting necessary for LFTs?
No
Results for LFTs are often available in what time duration?
Within 24 hrs
At what areas / situations are the release of results for LFTs slower?
Results may be slower in remote areas
At what areas / situations are the release of results for LFTs quicker?
Results may be quicker in urgent situations
LFTs attract a what?
Medicare rebate
Enzyme GGT, ALP, AST, and ALT involve a what?
Monitored rxn
Rarely, enzymes may form what w/ Igs or other large molecules?
Macro complexes
Enzymes that may form macro complexes w/ Igs / other large molecules results in what?
Reduced clearance and a falsely high result
What is the result if substrate exhaustion is present in pts w/ extremely high enzyme lvls?
It may lead to a falsely low result
Why should sxs w/ high bili being suspected be protected from light?
To prevent degradation
If the sx is hemolyzed, some methods give what type of results?
Falsely low results
Serum albumin is routinely measured by what?
Dye binding
The diff dyes being used has what?
Variable specificity, particularly in the low range
For repeat testing (or tests), what is preferred to be done and why is it preferred to be done?
It is preferred to use or to test in a same lab because the diff dyes that are used has variable specificity, particularly in the low range
It is helpful to classify results as what?
1) A typical of cholestasis 2) Consistent w/ hepatocellular damage
What is cholestasis?
It is the interruption to the bile flow bet the hepatocyte and the gut