Nebraska Health & Human Services
Hepatitis Prevention Program
July 2007
Common Liver Function Tests
Name
Alanine Aminotransferase
Alias
ALT or SGPT
Male
7-46 U/ml
Normal Values
Female
5-35 U/ml
Child
3-37 U/L
Enzyme produced by the liver that acts as a catalyst in amino acid production. High concentrations are found in liver cells
and moderate concentrations in body fluids, heart, kidney, and skeletal muscles.
Nursing Notes: Numerous drugs including ETOH can falsely elevate levels.
Uremia & Hemodialysis can falsely decrease levels.
A hemolyzed specimen can cause falsely elevated levels.
Name
Aspartate Aminotransferase
Alias
AST or SGOT
Male
8-26 U/L
Normal Values
Female
8-20 U/L
Child
19-28 U/L
Enzyme that catalyzes the reversible transfer of an amino between the amino acid. High concentrations are in the liver and
heart cells, with lower concentrations found in skeletal muscles, kidney, pancreas, and the brain.
Nursing Notes: Numerous drugs and Vitamin A can falsely elevate levels.
A hemolyzed specimen can cause falsely elevated levels.
Name
Gamma-glutamyl Transpeptidase
Alias
GGT or GGTP
Male
10-39 IU/L
Normal Values
Female
6-29 IU/L
Child
0-23 IU/L
Enzyme that participates in the transfer of amino acids and peptides across cellular membranes. High concentrations are
found in the liver, bile ducts, and kidneys. Lower concentrations are found in the prostate gland, brain, and heart.
Nursing Notes: Numerous drugs including ETOH can elevate levels.
Oral contraceptives can lower levels.
A hemolyzed specimen can cause falsely elevated results.
Name
Bilirubin
Alias
Indirect Bili
Male
0.3-1.1 mg/dl (Adult)
Normal Values
Female
Child
Direct Bili
0.1-0.4 mg/dl (Adult)
Bilirubin is a degradation product of the pigmented heme portion of hemoglobin. Old and abnormal red blood cells are
removed from circulation by the spleen and to some extent by the liver.
Nursing Notes: Certain drugs can elevate Bilirubin levels.
A hemolyzed specimen can cause falsely elevated results.
Prolonged exposure to U.V. or sunlight can lower Bilirubin levels.
Name
Alkaline Phosphatase
Alias
ALP or Alk Phos
Male
98-251 U/L
Enzyme found in the liver, the biliary tract, bone, intestines, and placenta.
Nursing Notes: Many drugs can falsely elevate or decrease levels.
A hemolyzed specimen can cause falsely elevated results.
Normal Values
Female
81-196 U/L
Child
Nebraska Health & Human Services
Hepatitis Prevention Program
July 2007
Other Liver Laboratory Blood Tests
Name
Alias
Normal Values
Adult
Albumin
Alb
Child
3.0 - 5.0 g/dL
3.4 to 5.4 g/dL
Primarily by the liver, patients with chronic liver disease accompanied by cirrhosis often have levels of Albumin < 3 g/dl.
Nursing Notes: Large amounts of IV fluids can cause inaccurate test results. Albumin levels are decreased during pregnancy.
Drugs that can increase albumin measurements include anabolic steroids, androgens, growth hormone & insulin
Name
Alias
Normal Values
Adult
Ammonia
Child
40-80 μg/dL
15-45 μg/dL
NH₃
The liver converts Ammonia in the portal blood to urea for excretion by the kidneys. With impaired liver function, especially when combined with
impaired portal blood flow, Ammonia levels rise.
Nursing Notes: Specimen must be drawn on ice and processed immediately. Hemolysis will cause elevated levels. Excessive protein intake will cause
elevated levels. Patients should be fasting for 8 hours prior to sample collection. Patients should not smoke for 8-10 hours prior to
sample collection. Patients should avoid strenuous activity 8 hours prior to sample collection.
Name
Immunoglobulins
Alias
Serum Electrophoresis
Normal Values
IgA
140-400 mg/dL
IgD
0-8 mg/dL
IgG
700-1500 mg/dL
IgM
35-375 mg/dL
A variety of immunoglobulins are increased in patients with chronic liver disease. Elevations of IgA, IgD, IgG, and IgM can be suggestive of specific
liver diseases; see specifics below nursing notes.
Nursing Notes: Hemolysis of sample can interfere with results. Many drugs can falsely elevate or decrease levels. Vaccinations within the past 6
months can interfere with results. Receiving blood products within the past 6 months can interfere with results.
Elevated IgA
Elevated IgD
Elevated IgG
Elevated IgM
Name
Alcoholic Liver Disease, Cirrhosis, Hepatitis, Laennec's Cirrhosis, Hepatobiliary Carcinoma
Chronic infections, Liver diseases
Autoimmune Hepatitis, Hepatitis, Hepatitis C, Laennec's Cirrhosis
Biliary Cirrhosis, Hepatitis, Viral infections
Alias
Normal Values
Adult
Platelets
PLT or Thrombocyte
Child
170,000-380,000/mm³
150,000-450,000/mm³
The liver releases Thrombopoietin to stimulate platelet production. Increased Platelet levels can be seen with Cirrhosis and decreased Platelet levels
can be seen with Viral Infections and Splenomegaly due to liver disease.
Nurses Notes: Numerous drugs can alter Platelet production and/or counts. Handle sample gently to avoid platelet clumping.
White Blood Cell (WBC) counts > 100,000/mm³ can alter Platelet counts.
Name
PT
Alias
Prothrombin Time
Normal Values
Male
9.6-11.8 Sec.
Female
9.5-11.3 Sec.
Child
11-14 Sec.
Newborn
12-21 Sec.
Prothrombin (PT) is a vitamin K dependent protein produced by the liver. Liver disease can lead to increased PT levels.
Nursing Notes: Many drugs can falsely elevate or decrease levels. Excessive agitation of sample can increase the PT level.
Fibrinogen levels < 100 mg/dL can increase the PT level.
Name
Iron
Alias
Normal Values
Male
65-175 g/dL
Iron (Fe)
Female
50-170 g/dL
Iron is an important part of erythropoiesis and is necessary for red blood cell maturation and hemoglobin synthesis. Elevated levels are
seen with Hemochromatosis and Hepatitis.
Nursing Notes: 8 hour fasting sample needed. Ensure medications with iron are withheld for 24 hours prior to test.
Handle specimen gently to avoid Hemolysis.
Name
Alias
Normal Values
Transferrin
Iron Saturation, Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC)
Adult Transferrin
250-450 mg/dL
Adult % Saturation
20-55% Saturation
Adult TIBC
300-360 g/dL
Protein made by the liver and is responsible for transporting iron through the body. Transferrin and iron form the iron binding capacity. The %
Saturation is found by dividing the serum iron level by the TIBC. Iron Studies are frequently ordered with liver disease.
Nursing Notes: Hemolysis and iron supplements can affect levels. Many drugs can falsely elevate levels.
Name
Alias
Normal Values
Ferritin
Part of Iron Panel
Male
20-250 ng/dL
Female
10-120 ng/dL
Protein made by the liver. The amount in circulation is proportional to the amount of storage iron (Ferritin & Hemosiderin) in body tissue. Increased
levels are seen with Hemochromatosis & Hepatocellular Disease.
Nursing Notes: Recent transfusions can elevate results. Many drugs can elevate level. Levels can be lower during menstruation.