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The
total protein test is a rough measure of all of the proteins in the
plasma portion of your blood. Proteins are important building blocks of
all cells and tissues; they are important for body growth and health.
Total protein measures the combined amount of two classes of proteins,
albumin and globulin. Albumin is a carrier of many small molecules, but
its main purpose is to keep fluid from leaking out of blood vessels,
while globulin proteins include enzymes, antibodies, and more than 500
other proteins. The ratio of albumin to globulin (A/G ratio) is
calculated from values obtained by direct measurement of total protein
and albumin. It represents the relative amounts of albumin and
globulins.
Albumin is the most abundant protein in the blood plasma It keeps fluid
from leaking out of blood vessels; nourishes tissues; and transports
hormones, vitamins, drugs, and ions like calcium throughout the body.
Albumin is made in the liver and is extremely sensitive to liver damage. The concentration of albumin drops when the liver is damaged, with
kidney disease (nephrotic syndrome), when a person is malnourished, if a
person experiences inflammation in the body, or with shock. Albumin
increases when a person is dehydrated.
Total protein measures the combined amount of two classes of proteins,
albumin and globulin. Albumin is a carrier of many small molecules, but
its main purpose is to keep fluid from leaking out of blood vessels,
while globulin proteins include enzymes, antibodies, and more than 500
other proteins. The immunoglobulin are the globulins of our immune
systems and of antibodies while many other globulin are carriers of
hormones or important components of enzymes.
The total protein test is a rough measure of all of
the proteins in the plasma portion of your blood. Proteins are important
building blocks of all cells and tissues; they are important for body
growth and health. Total protein measures the combined amount of two
classes of proteins, albumin and globulin. Albumin is a carrier of many
small molecules, but its main purpose is to keep fluid from leaking out
of blood vessels, while globulin proteins include enzymes, antibodies,
and more than 500 other proteins. The ratio of albumin to globulin (A/G
ratio) is calculated from values obtained by direct measurement of total
protein and albumin. It represents the relative amounts of albumin and
globulins. Normally, there is a little more albumin than globulins,
giving a normal A/G ratio of slightly over.
Alkaine
phosphate is an enzyme, a protein that helps cells work. You find
alkaline phosphate in high concentrations in the cells that make bone
and in the liver. In the liver, it is found on the edges of cells that
join to form bile ducts (tiny tubes that drain bile from the liver to
the bowels where it is needed to help digest fat in the diet). Smaller
amounts of ALP are found in the placenta (afterbirth) of women who are
pregnant, and in the bowel. Each of these body parts makes different
forms of ALP. The different forms are called isoenzymes.
As
red blood cells normally age and break down, bilirubin—a
by-product—is released into the blood and is cleared by the liver.
Bilirubin is an orange-yellow pigment found in bile. Red blood cells (RBCs)
normally degrade after 120 days in the circulation. At this time, a
component of the RBCs, hemoglobin (the red-colored pigment of red blood
cells that carries oxygen to tissues), breaks down into bilirubin.
Approximately 250 to 350 mg of bilirubin is produced daily in a normal,
healthy adult, of which 85% is derived from damaged or old red cells
that have died, with the remaining amount from the bone marrow or liver.
High bilirubin values may indicate a liver function problem, bile duct
blockage, or excessive destruction of red blood cells.
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AST
{Aspartate
aminotransferase} |
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AST {Aspartate aminotransferase} which used to be called SGOT is an
enzyme found mostly in the heart and liver, and to a lesser extent in
other muscles. When liver or muscle cells are injured, they release AST
into the blood. Testing for AST is usually used to detect liver damage.
AST levels are
also often compared with levels of other liver enzymes, alakline
phosphatase ( ALP) and alanine aminotransferase ( ALT), to determine
which form of liver disease is present.
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ALT
(Alanine Aminotransferase) |
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ALT (Alanine
Aminotransferase) which used to be called SGTP is an enzyme found mostly
in the liver; smaller amounts of it are also in the kidneys, heart, and
muscles. Under normal conditions, ALT levels in the blood are low. When
the liver is damaged, ALT is released into the blood stream, usually
before more obvious symptoms of liver damage occur, such as jaundice
(yellowing of the eyes and skin).The ALT test detects
liver injury. ALT values are usually compared to the levels of other
enzymes, such as alkaline phosphatase ( ALP) and aspartate
aminotransferase ( AST) to help determine which form of liver disease is
present. go back
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