Medical Biochemistry: Liver Enzymes, Lipids, and Electrolytes

Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)

Enzyme present in high concentration in liver and that is measured to assess liver function; SGPT.

Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP or AP)

Enzyme widely distributed in the body, especially in the liver and bone.

Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)

Enzyme present in many tissues, including cardiac, muscle, and liver, that is measured to assess liver function.

BUN

Blood Urea Nitrogen: a test measuring urea in blood.

Creatinine Kinase (CK)

Enzyme present in large amounts in brain tissue and heart and skeletal muscle that is measured to aid in diagnosing heart attack.

Creatinine

A breakdown product of creatine that is normally excreted in urine.

Electrolytes

The cations and anions important in maintaining fluid and acid-base balance.

Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (GGT)

Enzyme present in liver, kidney, pancreas, and prostate that is measured to assess liver function.

Gout

Painful condition in which blood uric acid is elevated and urates precipitate in joints.

Homeostasis

Tendency toward steady state of equilibrium of body processes.

Hypercalcemia

Above-normal blood calcium levels.

Hyperlipidemia

Excessive amount of fat in the blood.

Hyperthyroidism

Excessive functional activity of the thyroid gland; excessive secretion of thyroid hormones.

Hypoalbuminemia

Marked decrease in serum albumin concentration.

Hypocalcemia

Below normal blood calcium levels.

Hypothyroidism

Thyroid function deficiency.

Lactate Dehydrogenase (LD or LDH)

Enzyme widely distributed in the body that is measured to assess liver function.

Lipemic

Having a cloudy appearance due to excess lipid content.

Lipids

Any one of a group of fats or fat like substances.

Thyroxine

Thyroid hormone, commonly called T4.

Triglycerides

Major storage form of lipids.

Triiodothyronine

One of the thyroid hormones, commonly called T3.

Uric Acid

Breakdown product of nucleic acid.

Hyperkalemia

Blood potassium levels above normal.

Hypernatremia

Blood sodium levels above normal.

Hypokalemia

Blood potassium levels below normal.

Hyponatremia

Blood sodium levels below normal.

Osmolality

Measure indicating the number of dissolved solids in a fluid, usually serum or urine.

Atherosclerosis

Condition in which lipids, calcium and other substances deposit on the inner surface.

Endogenous

Produced within; growing from within.

HDL Cholesterol

High-density lipoprotein fraction of total blood cholesterol.

LDL Cholesterol

Low-density lipoprotein fraction of total.

Chromogen

Substance that becomes colored when it undergoes a chemical change.

Glucagon

Pancreatic hormone that increases blood glucose concentration by promoting the conversion of glycogen to glucose.

Glucose Dehydrogenase

Enzyme used in glucose analytical methods that converts glucose into gluconolactone.

Glucose Oxidase

Enzyme used in many glucose analytical methods that converts glucose to gluconic acid.

Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT)

Analyzing blood glucose at timed intervals following ingestion of a standard glucose dose; oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).

Glycogen

Storage form of glucose found in high concentration in the liver.

Glycolysis

Energy production as a result of the metabolic breakdown of glucose.

Hexokinase

Enzyme used in glucose analytical methods that converts glucose to glucose-6-phosphate.