Liver Function Tests
Liver Function Tests
Liver Function Tests
The tests which are performed in a laboratory to analyze the functional status of liver is known as liver
function test. Liver function tests are useful for the diagnosis, assessment of prognosis and monitoring
of liver diseases.
1. Serum Bilirubin:
It is a bile pigment and is excretory end product of heme degradation.
Total Bilirubin: 0.2-1.2 mg/dL
Conjugated bilirubin: 0.0-0.4 mg/dl
Unconjugated bilirubin: 0.1-0.6 mg/dl
They are estimated by
a. DMSO( di-methyl Sulphoxide ) method.
Bilirubin reacts with diazotized sulphanilic acid to give purple colour complex.
Free bilirubin requires solubilization with DMSO.
b. Malloy and Evelyn method: 50% methanol is used as an accelerator.
c. Jendrasik and Grof’s method: caffeine benzoate acetate is used as accelerator.
3. Serum Enzymes Derived from Liver: There are several enzymes which may be released in
circulation in liver damage. Measurement of selected enzymes in serum is often used to assess
liver function.
a. SGPT ( Serum Glutamate Pyruvate Transaminases) : Also called ALT( Alanine Amino
Transaminase) .
Normal range: 5-40 IU/L
It is cytoplasmic enzyme which is more reliable and sensitive for the assessment of liver
function.
d. GGT (Gamma Glut amyl Trans peptidase ) : Normal range: 5-40 IU/L . It is a microsomal
enzyme widely distributed in body tissues. Sensitive index of liver abnormality. It is highly
elevated in biliary obstruction and alcoholism.
4. Plasma Proteins:
b. Albumin: Normal Range: 3-5 gm/dL. It is produced in the liver and forms a large proportion
of plasma proteins. It is a good marker to assess chronic liver damage. In all chronic disease
of liver, serum albumin is decreased.
5. Prothrombin Time: Since prothrombin is synthesized by the liver, it is a useful indicator of liver
function. Vitamin K deficiency is also a cause for prolonged prothrombin time. In case of liver
disease, the PT remains prolonged even after parenteral administration of vitamin K.