Normal Range | ||
Males | Females | 1-3 years |
10 – 40 U/L | 9 - 25 U/L | 5 – 45 U/L |
1. Aspartate Aminotransferase [AST]/ serum Glutamic – Oxaloacetic Transaminase [SGOT]
Introduction
Aminotransferases like ALT and AST that are concentrated in liver used as indicators of hepatocellular damage. Both parallel to each other but in alcohol related disease ALT is lower than AST.
Indications
Differential diagnosis of disease of hepatobiliary system and pancreas; repeat testing to establish chronicity of viral hepatitis; to check hepatotoxicity of a drug.
| Normal levels | ||
| Men | Women | 0-3 years |
| 10 – 40 U/L | 9 - 25 U/L | 20 – 60 U/L |
Increased in
Liver disease: Acute viral infections e.g. viral hepatitis A, B, C (value is increased up to 50 times the normal, peak levels up to 400 – 4000 U or more are reached during the icteric phase and gradually decline, during recovery phase); hepatotoxic drugs and chemicals (e.g. antifungals, narcotics and barbiturates, acetaminophen, salicylates); musculoskeletal disorders (myoglobinuria); acute myocardial infarction; acute pancreatitis; all common fevers (value raised up to 40 – 100 U) e.g. malaria, typhoid, extra pulmonary tuberculosis, dengue fever.1. Serum Globin
Introduction
Globulins are produced by variety of tissue including liver. Serum globulins include alpha and beta globulins as well as serum immunoglobulins.
| Normal range | |
| Adults: 1.9 – 3.5 gm/Dl | Fetal: 0.4 – 3.7gm/dL |
Indications
To evaluate chronic liver diseases and cirrhosis (increases to varying degrees).
Increased in
Chronic liver diseases and cirrhosis; increase may be present in non- hepatic disorders or may reflect increased stimulation of peripheral reticuloendothelial compartment due to shunting of antigens past the liver and impaired clearance by kuffer cells.
1. Serum Albumin
Introduction
Albumin is quantitatively the most important serum protein synthesized by liver.
Indications
Marker of disorders of protein metabolism (e.g. nutritional, decreased synthesis increased loss).
Normal range
3.5 – 5.0 mg/dL
Increased in
Dehydration (relative increase); LV albumin infusion
Decreased in
Same as for total serum proteins.1. Total Serum Proteins
Introductions
Extensive liver injury may lead to decreased blood levels of albumin, prothrombin, fibrinogen and other proteins synthesized exclusively by hepatocytes. Serum protein levels are neither early nor sensitive indicators of liver disease.
Normal range
5.5- 8.5 mg/dL
Indications
Screening for nutritional deficiencies and gammopathies.
Increased in
Hypergammaglobulinemias, hypovolemic states.
Decreased in
Nutritional deficiency (e.g. malabsorption, Kwashiorkor, marasmus); decreased ineffective protein synthesis (e.g. severe liver disease, agammaglobulinemia increased loss (e.g. renal nephrotic syndrome); Gl disease (e.g. Protein losing enteropathies, surgical resection); severe skin disease (e.g. burns, eczema); plasmapheresis, increased catabolism (e.g. fever, inflammation, hyperthyroidism malignancy); dilutional (e.g. IV fluids administration, SIADH water intoxication).
