Confusing Labs

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Specializes in Med Surg, ICU, Tele.

:nuke:What exactly do liver function tests show. What is normal? Also ABG's anyone care to elaborate?

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Specializes in cardiac, ortho, med surg, oncology.

Liver function tests can reveal a number of things. Depends on why it was ordered. Usually ordered to check, well, liver function. Presence of hepatitis, cirrhosis, drug induced liver damage, mono, acute pancreatitis, jaundice, MI etc Normal ranges for an AST (SGOT) is adult: 0-35 U/L. ALT is adult/child: 4-36U/L. Ranges vary with facility. ALT/AST ratio helps diagnose viral hepatitis.

ABG's Arterial Blood Gas. Help determine metabolic and resp acidoisis or alkalosis.

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Specializes in tele, stepdown/PCU, med/surg.

I'd like to point out in addition that liver enzymes AST ALT are tests that look at liver damage or injury, not liver function. Someone in end stage liver disease days from death could easily have normal liver enzymes. Bilirubin, however, is great for measuring liver function and someone with liver failure will likely have high bilirubin.

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