Liver function: test selection and interpretation of results.
Liver function tests are used to detect, specifically diagnose, and estimate the severity of hepatic disease. Effective interpretation of the hepatic function panel requires knowledge of underlying pathophysiology and the characteristics of panel tests. This article includes a working classification of liver disease, a list of liver functions with the tests appropriate to each function, and a guide to panel interpretation and further laboratory investigation.
Burke
M Desmond
MD
Department of Pathology, Division of Laboratory Medicine, Weill Medical College, Cornell University, 525 East 68th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA. dburke@mail.med.cornell.edu
D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D010338:Pathology, Clinical / Q000379:methods*