Lab Tests Flashcards
(18 cards)
Best test for diagnosing acute pancreatitis
lipase; also with chronic pancreatitis, tumor, bowel obstruction, duodenal ulcers
What other test will be elevated in acute pancreatitis?
amylase
When is ALT higher than AST?
viral hepatitis
When is ALT lower than AST?
alcoholic hepatitis (3:1)
What do AST and ALT measure?
cellular injury
What are the liver function tests?
Total protein, albumin, total bilirubin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)
When would total protein be increased?
autoimmune hepatitis
When would total protein be decreased?
chronic liver disease, alcoholism, IBD
What is albumin?
Made by the liver, this decreases with decreased hepatic synthesis (chronic liver disease, malignancy)
What is alkaline phosphatase used for?
increased when excretion is impaired due to obstruction in biliary tract
What is GGT used for?
help determine where alkaline phosphatase elevations are coming from; if GGT is elevated then it’s coming from the liver!
When would gastrin be elevated?
in the presence of Zollinger-Ellison aka gastrinoma
What is the urea breath test used for ?
To prove eradication of H pylori after treatment
When do you use antibody serology for H. pylori?
Never unless breath or stool isn’t available
The presence of this is pathgnomonic for Celiac disease
IgA EMA
What is SAAG used for?
to classify portal vs nonportal hypertension
True or false: fecal leukocytes are present in those with inflammatory bowel disease
true
What is the best biomarker for alcoholism?
carbohydrate efficient transferrin
