The class discusses laboratory markers of liver function. The class addresses the main markers of liver dysfunction, such as transaminases, TGO, TGP, AST, ALT, Bilirubin, Albumin, liver enzymes, alkaline phosphatase, gamma GT, among others. Transaminases or aminotransferases are enzymes present within the cells of our body and are responsible for the metabolization of some proteins. The two main aminotransferases are TGO (glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase) and TGP (glutamic pyruvic transaminase). These enzymes are present in several cells of our body and both are present in large quantities in hepatocytes (liver cells). Whenever cells containing TGO and/or TGP are damaged, these enzymes “leak” into the blood, increasing their blood concentration. Therefore, it is easy to understand why liver diseases, which involve hepatocyte damage, present with elevated blood levels of AST and AST. AST is also present in muscle and heart cells, while AST is found almost exclusively within liver cells. AST is therefore more specific for liver diseases than AST. A few decades ago, when the current markers for myocardial infarction did not yet exist, AST was used as a marker of heart damage in patients with suspected cardiac ischemia. For an obvious reason, in these cases, only AST was elevated, with AST remaining at normal levels, since the latter is practically only found in the liver. Since both enzymes are present in similar quantities in liver cells, liver diseases present with elevation of both AST and AST. While transaminases are used to assess liver cell damage, alkaline phosphatase and gamma gamma phosphate are enzymes that are elevated when there is damage to the bile ducts. Bilirubin is the remnants of the destruction of old and defective red blood cells carried out by the spleen, an organ located in the upper left quadrant of the abdomen. The bilirubin produced in the spleen is transported by the blood to the liver, where it is processed and eliminated in bile. The bile is released into the intestine, participates in digestion, and is later eliminated in the feces (hence its brown color). The bilirubin in the spleen is called indirect bilirubin, while that transformed in the liver is direct bilirubin. Once the diagnosis of liver damage has been established, it is possible to have an idea of ​​the degree of liver failure. The two main tests for this purpose are albumin and TAP (PT). Albumin is a protein produced in the liver and a drop in its blood levels may indicate poor liver function. Likewise, the liver also participates in the production of vitamin K, which is involved in the blood clotting process. People with liver failure have greater difficulty in clotting their blood, which can be measured by measuring the TAP (TP) or the INR. ===== #liver markers #liver function #transaminases