Interpretation of liver chemistry tests

ABSTRACT

Liver chemistry tests are frequently used to assess patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic liver diseases. However, these tests are neither sensitive nor specific and should, therefore, be interpreted in conjunction with clinical data and other laboratory investigations as well as imaging studies. Nonetheless, certain patterns in liver tests may be helpful in short listing the differential diagnosis of liver dysfunction. This article discusses the utility and limitations of liver tests in establishing the diagnosis and prognosis in patients with various liver disorders. The paper also addresses non-hepatic causes of abnormal liver chemistry tests