Medical Surgical Nursing

Diagnostic Evaluation

Liver Function Tests

 More than 70% of the parenchyma of the liver may be damaged before liver

function test results become abnormal.

1. Serum enzyme activity (ie, alkaline phosphatase, lactic dehydrogenase, serum

aminotransferases )

2. Serum concentrations of proteins (albumin and globulins ,)

3. Bilirubin, ammonia, clotting factors, and lipids.

4. Serum aminotransferases (also called transaminases) are sensitive indicators of

injury to the liver cells and are useful in detecting acute liver disease such as

hepatitis.

A. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (formerly called serum glutamic-pyruvic

transaminase [SGPT]) (10-40 U/L )

B. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (formerly called serum glutamic-

oxaloacetic transaminase [SGOT]) (5-35 U/L )

C. Gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) (also called G-glutamyl transpeptidase)

(10-48 U/L )

D. .Lactic Dehydirgenase (LDH) (100-200 U/L).

These studies measure the ability of the liver to conjugate and excrete bilirubin. Results

are abnormal in liver and biliary tract disease and are associated with jaundice

clinically.