Why it is performed
- Investigate symptoms, jaundice or previous abnormalities.
- Monitor potentially hepatotoxic medicines.
- Assess fatty liver, alcohol, hepatitis or other causes in clinical context.
- Support pre-operative assessment or monitoring of known disease.
How it is performed
Enzymes such as ALT and AST, cholestasis markers such as GGT and alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin and proteins such as albumin are analysed. Patterns are more informative than isolated figures.
Preparation
- Avoid alcohol and intense exercise when advised.
- Report medicines, herbal products and supplements; some raise enzymes.
- Do not stop medicines without authorisation.
- Haemolysis may alter AST and other parameters.
How Askabide processes it
At Askabide
Available tests are processed by dry chemistry. An abnormal pattern may require repeat testing, bilirubin fractions, serology, ultrasound or other referred tests.
The main analytical phase is performed in the centre’s laboratory, subject to availability and validation.
Results and indicative intervals
Intervals vary by method, analyser, reagent, units, age, sex, pregnancy, menstrual-cycle phase and reference population. The valid interval is the one printed on the laboratory report.
| Parameter or result | Indicative reference | How it is interpreted |
|---|---|---|
| ALT | 4–36 U/L | More closely related to hepatocytes, but alone does not show severity or cause. |
| AST | 8–33 U/L | Also comes from muscle and other tissues. |
| GGT | Dependiente de sexo y método | May rise with alcohol, medicines and cholestasis; it is not specific. |
| Alkaline phosphatase | 20–130 U/L | May be liver or bone derived; physiologically higher in growth and pregnancy. |
| Total bilirubin | 0,1–1,2 mg/dL | Direct and indirect fractions help localise the problem. |
| Albumin | 3,4–5,4 g/dL | Reflects synthesis and general status but changes slowly and is not liver-specific. |
Important limitations
- Normal enzymes do not exclude every liver disease.
- A mild isolated rise does not establish a diagnosis.
- Pattern, magnitude, persistence, symptoms and imaging determine the next step.