International Clinical and Medical Case Reports Journal (ISSN: 2832-5788) | Volume 2, Issue 17 | Case Study | Open Access DOI
Dr. Basem Abbas Ahmed Al Ubaidi*
Basem Abbas Ahmed Al Ubaidi* Assistant Professor, Consultant Family Physician, Arabian Gulf University, Bahrain
*Correspondence to: Dr. Basem Abbas Ahmed Al Ubaidi
Fulltext PDFBackground: Liver function tests (LFTs) are vital tools in the realm of healthcare, indispensable for assessing hepatic health and overall liver function. These tests encompass a suite of biochemical markers, including alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), bilirubin (both direct and indirect), and prothrombin time (PT), which collectively furnish valuable insights into liver health.
Methodology: Interpretation of LFT results is a pivotal facet in the early diagnosis and management of liver diseases. An integrated approach, inclusive of clinical data and the analysis of multiple LFT parameters, is of paramount importance to deliver optimal patient care and enhance clinical outcomes.
Results: The evaluation of LFTs is complex, given the diverse etiologies that may underlie abnormal results. Elevated levels of AST and ALT are indicative of hepatocellular damage, while elevated ALP levels signify cholestasis or obstruction of bile flow. Elevated bilirubin levels may be suggestive of liver disease or hemolysis, whereas GGT levels play a pivotal role in identifying alcohol-related liver disease.
Conclusion: The significance of LFTs in diagnosing liver diseases cannot be overstated, particularly in regions with a high prevalence of liver disease, such as the Middle East, where it frequently co-occurs with obesity and type 2 diabetes. LFTs are equally indispensable in diagnosing and tracking the progression of liver diseases in developed nations. In clinical practice, these tests are deployed for a variety of purposes, encompassing the evaluation of suspected liver disease, monitoring the course of liver diseases and malignancies, and screening high-risk individuals for blood-borne viral infections. Additionally, LFTs are crucial when there is a history of alcohol abuse, ascites, chronic hepatic signs, or a familial predisposition to hemochromatosis. It should be noted that minor deviations in LFTs may be encountered in a limited percentage of healthy individuals, approximately 2.5%, and these anomalies do not carry clinical significance.
In summary, LFTs offer a nuanced view of liver function, serving as an invaluable diagnostic and monitoring tool in the realm of healthcare. A comprehensive understanding of the intricate patterns that emerge from LFT results is essential for early disease detection and tailored clinical management.
Liver function test; Biochemical markers; Liver health; Hepatic disorders
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