Page 16 - Clinical Biochemistry 08PB804

 α fetoprotein (AFP).
 HFE Genotyping (Hemochromatosis Gene Test; is a disorder where too much iron builds
up in your body. Sometimes it’s called “iron overload”; in hemochromatosis, your body
absorbs too much, and it has no way to get rid of it).
 Ultrasound scan, CT, MRI.
 Biopsy
Other LFTs
 Serum ammonia
Used for investigation of hepatic encephalopathy (syndrome is diversion of portal blood into
the systemic circulation).
Lacks sensitivity and specificity.
Useful for investigation of urea cycle disorders.
 Serum LDH
5 isoenzymes – heart, erythrocytes, sk. mus, liver, others
Not specific for liver.
Liver Function Tests (LFTs)
1. Liver Enzymes:
Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)
Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)
Alkaline Phosphatase (AP)
Gamma Glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT)
2. Albumin: besides total proteins.
Liver enzymes
• There are two general categories of “liver enzymes”. The first group includes ALT and
AST.