what is a normal level of bilirubin/
3 to 20
clinically evident level of bilirubin?
> 50
what are old RBC broken down into?
Haem is broken down into?
at this stage bilirubin is soluble in water?
globin and haem
iron and bilirubin
insoluble in water (unconjugated bilirubin)
unconjugated bilirubin is taken up by?
how is bilirubin conjugated?
what is conjugated bilirubin excreted as?
liver
with glucoronic acid
bile
bile is broken down by gut bacteria to yield?
where are they excreted/absorbed?
urobilinogen and stercobilinogen
stercobilinogen = excreted as faeces
urobilinogen = reabsorbed by liver and excreted by kidneys
Functions of liver?
1) protein synthesis?
2) carbohydrate metabolism?
3) lipid metabolism?
1) clotting factors
albumin
Immunoglobins
2) glycogen storage and gluconeogenesis
3) bile formation
cholesterol synthesis
LIVER FAILURE
low albumin
oedema/ascites
due to reduced colloid oncotic pressure so water moves into peripheral tissue
LIVER FAILURE
if patient develops very severe hypoglycaemia?
suggests very severe liver impairment
LIVER FAILURE
- as a result of failure of bile reaching GI tract
LFTs
-This is more specific to liver and suggests liver pathology if raised.
is the best measure of hepatic synthetic function in patients with liver disease.
in patient with liver disease is a very poor prognostic sign.?
if someone had hepatic/cholestatic jaundice - what would their LFT’s look like with regards to:
HEPATIC
CHOLESTATIC
pre-hepatic jaundice?
Faeces Urine Bilirubin Conjugated? ALT/AST ALP Examples
faeces: DARK
urine: normal
bilirubin: normal/high
conjugated?: unconjugated
ALT/AST: normal
ALP : normal
Examples: haemolysis (DIC, malaria) - more bilirubin that can be conjugated + excreted
hepatic jaundice?
Faeces Urine Bilirubin Conjugated? ALT/AST ALP Examples
faeces: pale
urine: dark
bilirubin: high
conjugated: unconjugated
ALT/AST: VERY HIGH
ALP: high
Examples:
Acute Hepatitis
Alcohol
Cirrhosis
post-hepatic jaundice?
Faeces Urine Bilirubin Conjugated? ALT/AST ALP Examples
faeces pale urine: dark bilirubin: very high conjugated: mixed ALT/AST: high ALP: VERY HIGH Examples: cholestasis or biliary obstruction
Drug induced jaundice?
pre-hepatic: antimalarials
hepatic: paracetamol overdose, statins,
post: steroids, sulfonylureas
causes of obstructive jaundice?
what questions would you ask for hepatitis??
tattoos? body piercings? IVDU? blood transfusions? sexual activity? travel? alcohol?
in urine you find that bilirubin is absent - what type of jaundice?
in urine you find that urobilinogen is absent - what type of jaundice?
hepatic or post hepatic
in FBC what would you look for if suspecting haemolysis?
haptoglobins