Table 2b -- Clinical Role of Liver Function Tests
Test
Role
Alanine aminotransferase (ALT/SGPT)
ALT relatively lower than AST in alcoholism
Albumin
Assess severity/chronicity
Alkaline phosphatase (AP)
Diagnose cholestasis, hepatic infiltrations
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST/SGOT)
Early diagnosis of hepatocellular disease, follow progress
Bilirubin (Total)
Diagnose jaundice
Bilirubin (Conjugated) Gilbert's Syndrome, hemolysis, Dubin Johnson Syndrome, assess severity of liver disease
Gamma-globulin Diagnose chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis - follow course
Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) Diagnose alcohol abuse, induction by other drugs (i.e., Dilantin), marker biliary cholestasis
Prothrombin time (PT) (after vitamin K) Assess severity
5' nucleotidase Diagnose cholestasis, when interpretation of AP and GGT levels are complex

* Normal values vary with the laboratory reporting them