Chemical pathology case conference - Liver function tests

Abstract

Liver function tests are among the most frequently requested panels of clinical biochemistry tests. A liver function panel typically includes the assessment of plasma / serum total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, total protein and albumin. The main pitfall in the interpretation of liver function tests relates to the misconception that the individual test analytes are biologically specific to the hepatobiliary system. Although none of the analytes are absolutely specific for liver tissues, when they are considered collectively as a panel, particular patterns of abnormalities are indeed reflective of certain sub-groups of hepatobiliary pathologies. In this Case Conference, the biochemical profiles forming a series of clinical cases are used to illustrate the principles in the appropriate interpretation of the liver function tests.