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What Does This Liver Function Test Result Indicate?
Brief Answer:
All of them are expected in cirhhosis
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
cirrhosis of the liver causes every single abnormality that you've mentioned.
BUN is a biproduct of metabolism that's excreted in the urine. When severe liver damage occurs hepatic metabolism is impaired and BUN production is reduced.
INR and prothrombin time values reflect vitamin K abnormalities - also an expected finding in cirrhosis.
ALT and AST are enzymes that can be found in the liver. AST can be found in other tissues as well (like the muscles or the kidney). Increased enzymes usually reflect liver damage.
What needs further clarification is the level of your alpha-fetoprotein level (aFP). This is a tumor marker, which is used to detect hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC is a potential complication of cirrhosis. In patients with cirrhosis, checking for HCC should be done every 6 months or so. Measuring aFP helps detect continuously elevating levels, which may signify the development of a HCC.
Cirrhosis itself increases the aFP, so a single measurement (unless high enough >1000 ng/mL) is not sufficient to diagnose malignancy. In cirrhosis without HCC, values do not usually exceed 500ng/mL.
I hope you find my answer helpful!
If you'd like further clarifications, please specify them using your follow-up questions.
Kind Regards!
All of them are expected in cirhhosis
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
cirrhosis of the liver causes every single abnormality that you've mentioned.
BUN is a biproduct of metabolism that's excreted in the urine. When severe liver damage occurs hepatic metabolism is impaired and BUN production is reduced.
INR and prothrombin time values reflect vitamin K abnormalities - also an expected finding in cirrhosis.
ALT and AST are enzymes that can be found in the liver. AST can be found in other tissues as well (like the muscles or the kidney). Increased enzymes usually reflect liver damage.
What needs further clarification is the level of your alpha-fetoprotein level (aFP). This is a tumor marker, which is used to detect hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC is a potential complication of cirrhosis. In patients with cirrhosis, checking for HCC should be done every 6 months or so. Measuring aFP helps detect continuously elevating levels, which may signify the development of a HCC.
Cirrhosis itself increases the aFP, so a single measurement (unless high enough >1000 ng/mL) is not sufficient to diagnose malignancy. In cirrhosis without HCC, values do not usually exceed 500ng/mL.
I hope you find my answer helpful!
If you'd like further clarifications, please specify them using your follow-up questions.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your help. I guess what I'm really asking is based on the info I supplied, how likely is it that I have liver cancer. I go in for an MRI this Friday. My last ultrasound showed more nodules on my liver and something suspicious on my kidney. I know you can't tell me if I have cancer, but I cope better if I prepare myself for possible bad news. I don't do well with XXXXXXX If I were your patient, how concerned would you be?
Brief Answer:
Can't tell, of course, but please read the explanation
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I've described you how the aFP can be evaluated, so you should have a better picture of your situation already, although you haven't mentioned the exact value.
Finding new nodules is suspicious indeed but don't be so alarmed with the ultrasound only because sometimes distinguishing structures in cirrhotic liver is not easy, particularly when the lesions are small. The MRI should be more helpful.
Cirrhosis (particularly when caused by hepatitis virus) is a risk factor for cancer and that's why a close follow-up is warranted. But only about 1 in 20 patients will develop a hepatocellular cancer, so the odds don't favor cancer!
Kind Regards!
Can't tell, of course, but please read the explanation
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I've described you how the aFP can be evaluated, so you should have a better picture of your situation already, although you haven't mentioned the exact value.
Finding new nodules is suspicious indeed but don't be so alarmed with the ultrasound only because sometimes distinguishing structures in cirrhotic liver is not easy, particularly when the lesions are small. The MRI should be more helpful.
Cirrhosis (particularly when caused by hepatitis virus) is a risk factor for cancer and that's why a close follow-up is warranted. But only about 1 in 20 patients will develop a hepatocellular cancer, so the odds don't favor cancer!
Kind Regards!
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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