Liver function tests

As liver refers to a combination of several to show in the laboratory on a blood sample set of values ​​that damage to the liver.

These include the activities of the liver enzymes AST (formerly GOT), ALT (formerly GPT) and GGT. In addition, the concentration of the metabolite bilirubin is in the blood. The activity of the enzyme cholinesterase ( ChE ) and the prothrombin time ( PT ) provide information on the metabolic function of the liver.

Cause of an increase in liver enzymes can be a variety of drugs, diseases ( bacterial, parasitic, viral), toxic damage (alcohol, other drugs, poisons of all kinds ) or a fat -heavy diet over a longer period. Also, a narrowing of the bile duct by gallstones, biliary gravel or a PSC and thereby caused retention of the bile ( cholestasis ) can lead to elevated liver values.