Significance of liver function

For the patient’s liver function test, it usually mostly reflects the health status of the liver. The indexes include glutathione, glutamic oxalacetic transaminase, total protein, albumin and globulin, as well as total bilirubin, direct bilirubin and indirect bilirubin, and also alkaline phosphatase, GGT and other related tests. For glutathione and glutamic oxalacetic aminotransferase, they generally reflect whether the liver function is normal or not, and whether there is a state of liver damage. Patients with hepatocellular necrosis will first show elevated glutathione and glutathione aminotransferase. If the patient has biliary obstruction, or more severe hepatocyte necrosis, further elevation of bilirubin may occur. If the cause is obstructive, total bilirubin and direct bilirubin are usually elevated. If the jaundice is caused by hepatocellular necrosis, the patient is considered to have elevated total bilirubin and indirect bilirubin. If the patient is hypoproteinemic, he or she will show low albumin and further develop peritoneal effusion and generalized swelling. In addition, in some patients with biliary obstruction, alkaline phosphatase and GGT may be elevated.