Dysphagia and Liver Function Tests Quiz

Questions and Answers

What is the main reason for performing liver function tests as part of a preventive health checkup?

To identify potential liver damage from medications

To detect asymptomatic liver disease in otherwise healthy individuals (correct)

To diagnose liver diseases like viral hepatitis

To monitor the efficacy of therapy for existing liver disease

Which of the following is NOT a cause of dysphagia?

Muscular disorders leading to difficulty in swallowing

Mechanical obstruction of the esophagus due to a tumor

Liver cirrhosis (correct)

Decreased movement of the esophagus due to a neurological disorder

What is the primary purpose of measuring bilirubin levels in a liver function test?

To detect liver damage or disease

To assess the liver's detoxification function

To evaluate the liver's synthetic function

To identify bile duct obstruction (correct)

Which of the following liver enzymes is NOT typically measured in a liver function test?

Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for monitoring liver function in patients taking medications with known harmful effects on the liver?

To prevent liver damage from medication toxicity Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary source of blood for Liver Function Tests (LFT)?

A vein in the arm Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following liver enzymes is NOT specific to liver damage?

Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) Signup and view all the answers

What does a low albumin to globulin ratio indicate?

Liver cirrhosis Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a condition associated with high levels of bilirubin?

Leukemia Signup and view all the answers

What is the other name for Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)?

Serum Glutamate-Pyruvate Transaminase (SGPT) Signup and view all the answers

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

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.