Dysphagia and Liver Function Tests Quiz

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

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.