Liver Lab Clinical Guide
GastroenterologyGuide
11 articles
This clinical guide will help you interpret liver lab results with confidence. We’ll cover the most important tests for liver function, which to order based on the patient’s presentation, and what abnormal results can indicate. You’ll also learn to recognize key test result patterns for specific diagnoses.
This clinical guide will help you interpret liver lab results with confidence. We’ll cover the most important tests for liver function, which to order based on the patient’s presentation, and what abnormal results can indicate. You’ll also learn to recognize key test result patterns for specific diagnoses.
Chapter 1
How to analyze liver function and recognize common liver diseases
In this chapter’s articles, you will discover how to approach a patient who presents with suspected liver dysfunction. We’ll discuss common diseases associated with the liver and gallbladder, how to take a thorough history, and how to perform a physical exam on a patient with abnormal liver function. Finally, we’ll go through the liver lab tests you should order.
Overview of the liver function panel
Broaden your clinical understanding of biomarkers used to assess liver function. Click here to read more!
by Md. Amer Wahed, MD FRCPath • Last update 26th Jan 2021 • 3m read
Common diseases that affect the liver and gallbladder
Learn about the most common liver and gallbladder-related diseases and their causes. Click here to read more!
by Md. Amer Wahed, MD FRCPath • Last update 26th Jan 2021 • 5m read
Learn how to take a liver-focused history
What aspects of a patient’s history are important when assessing liver diseases? Click here to find out more!
by Md. Amer Wahed, MD FRCPath • Last update 26th Jan 2021 • 3m read
Learn how to perform a liver-focused physical exam
Click here to learn the tips and tricks for a physical examination of a patient with liver disease. Read more now!
by Md. Amer Wahed, MD FRCPath • Last update 26th Jan 2021 • 4m read
Chapter 2
How to perform liver function testing
The liver has many important functions such as metabolizing molecules like bilirubin, synthesizing clotting factors, and producing important biomolecules like albumin and alkaline phosphatase. When liver function is compromised, any of these functions can be affected. In the articles of this chapter, you’ll discover which tests can be used to assess each specific function of the liver. As well, you’ll learn to recognize abnormal liver function test results.
All you need to know about bilirubin (and liver function)
Learn about bilirubin metabolism and how it’s measured in liver function tests. Click here for more!
by Md. Amer Wahed, MD FRCPath • Last update 1st Oct 2024 • 3m read
Everything you need to know about albumin and liver function
Click here to learn about albumin metabolism, and how it is used to assess liver function in your patients.
by Md. Amer Wahed, MD FRCPath • Last update 26th Jan 2021 • 2m read
Liver enzymes and the liver function panel
In this article, learn how to decipher common liver enzyme test panels for liver function and disease.
by Md. Amer Wahed, MD FRCPath • Last update 26th Jan 2021 • 3m read
Prothrombin time and what it reveals about liver function
Gain in-depth knowledge on liver function tests with this article on prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time.
by Md. Amer Wahed, MD FRCPath • Last update 26th Jan 2021 • 3m read
Chapter 3
How to recognize patterns of abnormal liver function
Certain combinations of test results can point to specific causes of liver dysfunction. In this chapter’s articles, you’ll be introduced to hepatocellular and cholestatic patterns of liver function results, and the most likely diagnoses related to each type of pattern. You’ll also learn about isolated hyperbilirubinemia, how it shows up on liver test results, and what the test results suggest about the disease’s cause.
Recognizing a hepatocellular pattern on a liver function panel
Learn how to recognize a hepatocellular pattern of an abnormal liver function panel. Click here to read more!
by Md. Amer Wahed, MD FRCPath • Last update 26th Jan 2021 • 3m read
Recognizing a cholestatic pattern on a liver function panel
Learn how to recognize a cholestatic pattern of an abnormal liver function panel. Click here to read more!
by Md. Amer Wahed, MD FRCPath • Last update 26th Jan 2021 • 3m read
Recognizing an isolated hyperbilirubinemia pattern on a liver function panel
Learn how to recognize an isolated hyperbilirubinemia pattern of an abnormal liver function panel. Click here for more!
by Md. Amer Wahed, MD FRCPath • Last update 26th Jan 2021 • 5m read
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