Questions and Answers
What is the main reason for performing liver function tests as part of a preventive health checkup?
Which of the following is NOT a cause of dysphagia?
What is the primary purpose of measuring bilirubin levels in a liver function test?
Which of the following liver enzymes is NOT typically measured in a liver function test?
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What is the primary reason for monitoring liver function in patients taking medications with known harmful effects on the liver?
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What is the primary source of blood for Liver Function Tests (LFT)?
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Which of the following liver enzymes is NOT specific to liver damage?
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What does a low albumin to globulin ratio indicate?
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Which of the following is NOT a condition associated with high levels of bilirubin?
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What is the other name for Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)?
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Study Notes
Dysphagia
- Dysphagia means difficulty in swallowing
- Causes of dysphagia include:
- Mechanical obstruction of the esophagus due to tumor, strictures, or diverticular hernia
- Decreased movement of the esophagus due to neurological disorders such as parkinsonism
- Muscular disorders leading to difficulty in swallowing during oral or esophageal stage
Liver Function Tests (LFT)
- Liver function test is a group of blood tests performed to evaluate the function of the liver
- The test measures the level of:
- Liver enzymes
- Proteins
- Bilirubin in the blood
Components of Liver Function Test (LFT)
- Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)
- Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (GGT)
- Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
- Alanine Transaminase (ALT)
- Bilirubin - Total, Direct, and Indirect
- Protein - Total, Serum
- Albumin, Serum
- Globulin, Serum
- Albumin/Globulin Ratio, Serum
Why is Liver Function Test (LFT) Done?
- As a part of preventive health checkup
- To diagnose liver diseases like viral hepatitis, alcoholic hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, or liver cirrhosis
- To monitor the efficacy of a therapy given for the treatment of existing liver disease
- To monitor the health of the liver when a patient is on medicines with known harmful effects on the liver
How is Liver Function Test (LFT) Done?
- LFT is done on a blood sample
- A syringe attached to a fine needle is used to withdraw the blood from a vein of the arm
Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
- High levels of ALP are seen in patients with:
- Bile duct obstruction
- Hepatitis
- Cirrhosis
- Liver cancer
- Bone diseases
- High levels of ALP are considered normal in growing children and pregnant women
Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)
- ALT is also known as serum glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (SGPT)
- Very high levels of ALT are seen in patients with acute hepatitis
- Moderately high levels of ALT are seen in patients with:
- Chronic hepatitis
- Blocked bile ducts
- Cirrhosis
- Liver cancer
Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)
- AST is also known as serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT)
- High levels of AST are seen in patients with liver and muscle damage
- AST is not specific for liver damage and is measured along with ALT to diagnose suspected liver disease
Gamma-Glutamyltransferase (GGT)
- High levels of GGT are seen in patients with:
- Alcoholic liver disease
- Obstructive liver disease
- Acute and chronic viral hepatitis
- Fatty liver disease
- Cirrhosis
- Cholestasis
- Liver tumors
Serum Proteins
- Albumin is the main protein synthesized by the liver
- Low levels of albumin indicate that the liver is not functioning properly and can be seen in patients with:
- Cirrhosis
- Chronic hepatitis
- Poor nutrition
- Kidney disease
- Infections
- Low level of globulin is seen in malnutrition
- High levels of globulin are seen in:
- Chronic active hepatitis
- Alcoholic hepatitis
- Chronic inflammatory diseases
Albumin to Globulin Ratio
- Low albumin to globulin ratio indicates liver cirrhosis
- High albumin to globulin ratio suggests decreased globulin production and is seen in some genetic diseases or leukemia
Bilirubin
- High levels of bilirubin are seen in patients with:
- Hepatitis
- Liver cirrhosis
- Bile duct obstruction
- Gallbladder cancer
- Gallstones
- Genetic diseases like Gilbert's syndrome
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Description
Test your knowledge about dysphagia, its causes, and liver function tests, including mechanical obstruction, neurological disorders, and muscular disorders. Learn more about liver function tests and its evaluation.