Dr. Wu's Liver diseases
for professionals (medical students and residents) and consumers
( Posted Sep. 1996; Last updated Oct. 02, 2005 )
Items of liver test
For consumers:
(Key words: liver test, liver function test, AST, ALT, GGTP, Al-P, bilirubin, hepatitis marker, tumor marker, AFP)
- Liver test is a group of tests done for the detection and identification of a liver disease, and those tests which assess the degree of damage of the liver are also included.
- It is usually called liver function test, however it is actually not only the test for the assessment of the function of a liver but also including the tests to detect the presence and identify the cause of liver diseases. Therefore, it is more reasonable to be called as liver test rather than liver function test.
- Transaminase (AST, ALT) is measured to detect the presence of liver injury, and biliary enzymes (Al-P, GGTP) to identify the obstruction of biliary tract. Bilirubin level rises on both liver cell injury and biliary obstruction.
- Hepatitis markers are examined to identify the type of hepatitis virus that causes the liver damage.
For professionals:
Object of Tests: To
- A: Detect the presence of
- Active liver cell damage
AST, ALT, Bil, £^-GT (GGTP), Al-P
- Cholestasis
Bil, £^-GT (GGTP), Al-P
- Fibrosis
PIIIP, IV Collagen, TGF-£]
- Impaired reticuloendothelial system function
£^-Gl, ZTT
- B: Identify the etiology: by detection or determination of
- Hepatitis markers, virus markers
HAV, HBV, HCV, HDV, HEV, HGV, CMV, EBV...
- Tumor markers
AFP, AFP-L3, Isoenzymes, PIVKA-II, CEA, CA19-9
- Unconjugate bilirubin
- Ceruloplasmin, serum copper, urine copper
- Serum ferritin, transferrin saturation, iron
- Alpha-1-antitrypsin
- C: Assess the functional reserve of the liver on
- Hepatocyte (Liver cell)
- Biliary tract
- Circulatory system
- Reticuloendothelial system
Mode of Tests
- A: Blood tests:
AST, ALT, Al-p-tase, GGT, Bil, Alb, Blood coagulation factors (Pro-T, APTT, Normotest, Factor V, Factor VII), Rapid turnover proteins, Bile acids, HGF, Glucose, Cholesterol, Fibrinogen.
- B: Tolerance test:
Antipyrine clearance test, Aminopyrine breath test, Caffein clearance test, BSP retension test, ICG clearance test.
(BSP test is not done because of occasional anaphylaxis)
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(TMN) Since June 09, 2002
(Dr. Wu's Liver D) Since Feb. 04, 1998
(Olddoc)Since Jan. 24, 2003
(TMN) Since Jan. 24, 2003
(PBL) Since Mar. 11, 2003
(By Jau-Shin Wu, M.D.;Posted Sep. 1996; Revised April 08, 2004 )
