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In medicine, the presence of elevated transaminases, commonly the transaminases alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST), may be an indicator of liver dysfunction. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] Other terms include transaminasemia , [ 3 ] and elevated liver enzymes (though they are not the only enzymes in the liver).
Liver function tests (LFTs or LFs), also referred to as a hepatic panel or liver panel, are groups of blood tests that provide information about the state of a patient's liver. [1] These tests include prothrombin time (PT/INR), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), albumin , bilirubin (direct and indirect), and others.
In the early stages (as with NAFLD and early NASH), most patients are asymptomatic or have mild right upper quadrant pain, and diagnosis is suspected on the basis of abnormal liver function tests. [32] As the disease progresses, symptoms typical of chronic hepatitis may develop. [44]
Acute liver failure is the appearance of severe complications rapidly after the first signs (such as jaundice) of liver disease, and indicates that the liver has sustained severe damage (loss of function of 80–90% of liver cells).
Sapovirus is a genetically diverse genus of single-stranded positive-sense RNA, non-enveloped viruses within the family Caliciviridae. [1] [2] Together with norovirus, sapoviruses are the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis (commonly called the "stomach flu" although it is not related to influenza) in humans and animals.
Cirrhosis can take quite a long time to develop, and symptoms may be slow to emerge. [13] Some early symptoms include tiredness, weakness, loss of appetite, weight loss, and nausea. [13] Early signs may also include redness on the palms known as palmar erythema. [11] People may also feel discomfort in the right upper abdomen around the liver. [13]
Other markers which may be measured and monitored are a complete blood count, serum liver enzymes, bilirubin levels (usually grossly elevated), kidney function, and electrolytes. Fecal fat measurement is occasionally ordered when symptoms of malabsorption (e.g., gross steatorrhea) are prominent. [citation needed]
The diagnosis is made in a patient with history of significant alcohol intake who develops worsening liver function tests, including elevated bilirubin (typically greater than 3.0) and aminotransferases, and onset of jaundice within the last 8 weeks. [3] The ratio of aspartate aminotransferase to alanine aminotransferase is usually 2 or more. [13]