Abnormal LFTs are a common observation in family practice. It can be present in a majority of patients with no symptoms and in some patients with minor symptoms like lethargy, pruritus, abdominal pain, low-grade fever. An expert family physician with the help of detailed history and physical examination can suspect potentially fatal diseases like cirrhosis, primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, and liver tumors and by following cardinal principles of family practice like a referral, sharing of responsibility and continued follow-up may save patients’ lives with liver problems. I.
TEST FOR HEPATOCELLULAR INJURY Aminotransferases: Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) are released into the blood stream after hepatocellular injury. Increased ALT activity reflects hepatic damage more specific. II. TEST FOR CHOLESTASIS …
