REVIEW

Evaluation of abnormal liver function tests

J K Limdi¹ and G M Hyde²

¹ Tameside General Hospital, Ashton-under-Lyne, Manchester
² Wythenshawe Hospital, South Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust, Wythenshawe, Manchester

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr Jimmy K Limdi, Tameside General Hospital, Fountain Street, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 9RW, UK;
limdi{at}aol.com

Interpretation of abnormalities in liver function tests is a common problem faced by clinicians. This has become more common with the introduction of automated routine laboratory testing. Not all persons with one or more abnormalities in these tests actually have liver disease. The various biochemical tests, their pathophysiology, and an approach to the interpretation of abnormal liver function tests are discussed in this review.

Keywords: liver function tests

Abbreviations: ALP, alkaline phosphatase; ALT, alanine transaminase; AST, aspartate transaminase; ELISA, enzyne linked immunosorbent assay; HbsAg, hepatitis B surface antigen; HFE, haemochromatosis gene; NASH, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

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