Liver and Gastric Function Tests Flashcards

Vocabulary and key clinical markers related to Liver Function Tests (LFT), portal hypertension, and bilirubin levels based on the lecture material.

Indication for LFT: Statin Therapy

Performed to check for hepatotoxicity.

Portal Hypertension (Varices)

An increase in pressure causing the veins of the portal system to get dilated, making the liver more dependent on arterial blood flow form the hepatic artery.

Hyper-estrogenism

A condition manifested as testicular atrophy, gynecomastia, and palmar erythema.

Hepatic Encephalopathy

A condition caused by the failure of detoxification of ammonia by urea synthesis, leading to hyperammonemia.

Hypo-albuminemia

A decrease in albumin synthesis which predisposes to the oozing of fluid into the peritoneal cavity, causing ascites.

Antithrombin III

A thrombolytic factor whose loss predisposes to hypercoagulability and venous thrombosis.

Ascites

The effusion of serous fluid into the abdominal cavity, often serving as a common presenting feature of cirrhosis.

Serum albumin : ascitic fluid albumin ratio

A biochemical parameter where a value $> 1.1$ is diagnostic of portal hypertension as the cause of ascites.

Group I LFT (Laboratory Findings)

Tests of hepatic excretory function including serum bilirubin (total, conjugated, unconjugated) and urine (bile pigments, bile salts, and urobilinogen).

Group II LFT (Laboratory Findings)

A liver enzyme panel used as markers of liver injury or cholestasis, including Alanine amino transferase (ALT), Aspartate amino transferase (AST), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and Gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT).

Group III LFT (Laboratory Findings)

Tests for the synthetic function of the liver including total proteins, serum albumin, globulins, A/G ratio, and prothrombin time.

Group IV LFT (Special Tests)

Specialized markers including Ceruloplasmin, Ferritin, Alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT), and Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP).

Bilirubin Diglucuronide

The form bilirubin takes after being conjugated by the liver for excretion through bile.

Normal Serum Bilirubin Level

Varies from $0.2$ to $0.8\text{ mg/dl}$.

Unconjugated Bilirubin (Free Bilirubin)

Also known as the bilirubin-albumin complex or indirect bilirubin, it normally varies from $0.2-0.7\text{ mg/dl}$.

Conjugated Bilirubin (Direct Bilirubin)

Normal levels vary from $0.1-0.4\text{ mg/dl}$.

Latent Jaundice

An abnormal rise in serum bilirubin above $1\text{ mg/dl}$ but below the clinical threshold.

Clinical Jaundice

The appearance of jaundice when serum bilirubin levels go above $2\text{ mg/dl}$.