The liver in systemic disease : a clinician's guide to abnormal liver tests

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Liver Tests -- Primary Care -- Global Perspective -- Intensive Care -- Infections Affecting The Liver In Immuno -- The Post-Operative Patient -- Pregnancy -- Endocrinology And Metabolic Diseases (Including Diabetes) -- Abnormal Serum Liver Tests In Cardiac Disease -- Respiratory Disease -- Gastroenterology -- Renal medicine -- Dermatology -- Oncology -- Haematology -- Mental health & Neurology -- Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) -- Prescribing In Patients With Abnormal Liver Tests Or Liver Disease - A Pragmatic Approach -- Invasive Procedures In Those With Liver Disease -- Diagnosing Drug Induced Liver Injury.

"Commonly measured liver tests include albumin, alanine and aspartate aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase and GGT. None of these analytes is specific for liver disease nor do they measure liver function. Normal liver tests do not exclude the presence of liver disease. Abnormal liver tests should not be ignored and may reflect either primary liver disease or the effects of extra-hepatic disease, toxins or medication. Usually, a history, clinical examination and further serological tests will define the cause of the abnormality but imaging and, rarely, liver biopsy will be required to establish the diagnosis and monitor treatment where appropriate. Normal range of liver analytes may be affected by many factors including age, gender, ethnicity and physiological conditions (such as pregnancy)" Provided by publisher.