Lab Tests

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Hi Becky, Here's some info on blood test results, hope it helps. & Welcome to the DummiesSuZie & Sir SpYke the King of Shedders (who has donated a cat fur rug to my living room)http://www.hepatitisneighborhood.com/content /understanding_hepatitis/diagnosing_hepatitisc_134.aspx

Common Liver Lab Tests

by V. J. , RN, BSN, MA

Article Date: 9/24/2003

Below are brief explanations of some lab

tests commonly used for patients with liver disease. Note that

reference ranges (in parentheses) vary from lab to lab, your tests

results may have slightly different reference ranges that those shown

below.

Albumin (3.5 - 5 g/dl)

The liver makes albumin using amino acids

that it gets from proteins. Low levels can cause swelling in the

extremities (edema), and in the abdomen (ascites).

Prealbumin (16 - 40 mg/dl)

Prealbumin is a protein made by the liver. It is helpful in finding out if a person is malnourished.

Globulin (2 - 3 g/dl)

Testing for globulin is used to measure the

total amount of immunoglobulins in the blood. These are also referred

to as antibodies. If the test result is high, it is a sign of infection

/ inflammation.

Total Protein (5.5 - 9 g/dl)

Total protein is the combined amount of albumin and globulin.

Prothrombin Time (10 - 13 sec)

Prothrombin time measures the amount of time

it takes blood to clot (coagulate). If the liver is injured, clotting

is impaired, and the prothrombin time is prolonged.

Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) (3 - 30 IU/L)Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) (8 - 42 IU/L)

Alanine aminotransferase

(ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) are very sensitive indicators of

inflammation and cell death (necrosis), which are released when liver

cells are damaged or die. Both ALT and AST may be elevated for reasons

other than liver problems.

Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) (100 - 225 IU/L)

LDH is less sensitive to liver disease than ALT / AST, but it can be elevated due to hepatitis.

Gamma-glutamyl Transpeptidase (GGT) (8 - 38 U/L)

GGT (or GGTP) is sometimes elevated in people with cirrhosis or other forms of liver disease.

Alkaline Phosphatase (20 - 125 U/L)

Alkaline phosphatase is another liver enzyme that can be elevated in liver disease.

Total Bilirubin (0.3 - 1.0 mg/dl)

The appearance of yellow eye and skin color (jaundice) is the characteristic symptom of elevated bilirubin (hyperbilirubinemia).

Ammonia (30 - 70ug/dl)

A byproduct of protein

metabolism, ammonia (NH4) is processed by the liver. In severe liver

disease, ammonia can accumulate in the blood, causing neurological and

mental deterioration (hepatic encephalopathy).

SourceMosby's Diagnostic and Laboratory Test Reference, Second Edition. Mosby, St. Louis.

V.J. is a Registered

Nurse with a Bachelor's degree in Nursing and a Master's degree in

Clinical Psychology, and has experience in oncology, critical care and

hospice, nursing management, counseling and clinical administration.

The problem with the gene pool? No lifeguards!