Liver function test

In clinical medicine, liver function tests include tests for:

Surrogates for hepatic cell breakdown Transaminases alanine transaminase (ALT)formerly called glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) aspartate aminotransferase (AST), formerly called glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) Lactic dehydrogenase Indicators of obstruction Alkaline phosphatase 5’-NT (5-nucleotidase) GGT (gamma-glutamyltransferase) Bilirubin Hepatic synthetic function Protein Albumin Globulin Albumin-globulin ratio Coagulation factors Prothrombin time International normalized ratio Tumor markers alpha-fetoprotein Special Copper metabolism Ceruloplasmin Human iron metabolism serum iron total iron binding capacity (TIBC) % transferrinsaturation ferritin hepcidin (experimental) Serology HBsAg Anti-HBsAg Anti-HBcAg (immunoglobin G (IgG)) Anti-HBcAg (immunoglobin M (IgM)) Imaging While liver function tests are usually considered to be biochemical or immunologic, which themselves are increasingly overlapping, imaging provides valuable material as well. Liver scanning after injection of a radioactive tracer has been used for years to localize defects. Newer functional imaging is still experimental but shows promise. Causes of elevated test results Patterns of abnormalities of liver function tests   Suggested underlying cause AST/ALT ratio > 1 Alcoholic liver diseases Alkaline phosphatase to total bilirubin ratio <4 AST/ALT ratio > 2.2 Hepatolenticular degeneration (Wilson's Disease) Increased blood levels of alanine transaminase have been associated with eating fast food twice a day while limiting exercise. The intervention in the trial aimed to "double the regular caloric intake in combination with adoption of a sedentary lifestyle for four weeks." References