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Podcast - LFTs Gone Viral: ALT/AST Spikes Explained

Podcast - LFTs Gone Viral: ALT/AST Spikes Explained

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 The video version of this podcast can be found here: · https://youtu.be/rIX46swVSfgThis episode refers to guidelines on the management of abnormal liver function tests by the British Society of Gastroenterology and a number of NHS organisations in the UK. Here I focus on the hepatitic pattern of abnormal LFTs. Please note that the content on this channel reflects my professional interpretation/summary of the guidance and that I am in no way affiliated with, employed by or funded/sponsored by them. My name is Fernando Florido and I am a General Practitioner in the United Kingdom. In this episode I neutropenia always focusing on what is relevant in Primary Care only. The information is based on Haematological guidance by Camden CCG, Manchester Foundation Trust and King’s Health Partners.I am not giving medical advice; this video is intended for health care professionals, it is only my summary and my interpretation of the guidelines and you must use your clinical judgement. Disclaimer:The Video Content on this channel is for educational purposes and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen on this YouTube channel. The statements made throughout this video are not to be used or relied on to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent health conditions. In addition, transmission of this Content is not intended to create, and receipt by you does not constitute, a physician-patient relationship with Dr Fernando Florido, his employees, agents, independent contractors, or anyone acting on behalf of Dr Fernando Florido. Intro / outro music: Track: Halfway Through — Broke In Summer [Audio Library Release] Music provided by Audio Library Plus Watch: https://youtu.be/aBGk6aJM3IU Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/halfway-through There is a podcast version of this and other videos that you can access here: Primary Care guidelines podcast: · Redcircle: https://redcircle.com/shows/primary-care-guidelines· Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5BmqS0Ol16oQ7Kr1WYzupK· Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/primary-care-guidelines/id1608821148 There is a YouTube version of this and other videos that you can access here: The Practical GP YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@practicalgp?si=ecJGF5QCuMLQ6hrk My summary guide can be downloaded here:· https://1drv.ms/b/s!AiVFJ_Uoigq0mQ8MRxaNYnA1_pzh?e=H2U7rS The resources consulted can be found here:BSG- British Society of Gastroenterology:· bsg.org.uk/clinical-resource/guidelines-on-abnormal-liver-blood-tests· Guidelines on the management of abnormal liver blood tests (bsg.org.uk)o First published on:o BMJ article:o Guidelines on the management of abnormal liver blood tests | Gut (bmj.com)TranscriptIf you are listening to this podcast on YouTube, for a better experience, switch to the video version. The link is in the top right corner of the video and in the episode description.Hello and welcome, I’m Fernando, a GP in the UK. Today we are going to go through the interpretation, initial follow up management, of adults presenting with a hepatitic pattern in their LFT’s, always focusing on what is relevant in Primary Care only. This episode is based on the British Society of Gastroenterology guidelines on LFTs. A link to it is in the episode description. Right, let’s jump into it.We have to start by remembering that liver disease develops silently and at earlier stages liver enzymes may be normal, and, if they are high, the degree of abnormality is not necessarily related to the severity of the underlying condition.We also need to remember that AST and ALT are enzymes present in the liver cells and the levels increase in response to cell injury or death. ALT is considered more liver-specific while AST is also present in skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscle and so may be elevated in patients with an MI or myositis.An AST:ALT ratio of >1 is a non-invasive marker of liver fibrosis. In early liver disease, AST and ALT can be normal, but the high AST:ALT ratio is usually present even if both values are normal.So, what should we do when confronted by abnormal LFTs?First of all, we should not think that the extent of abnormality of the LFTs correlates necessarily with the severity of the problem. Common conditions leading to chronic liver disease like NAFLD, and hepatitis C are frequently associated with only mild or moderate LFT abnormalities.Also, we should not think that the duration of the abnormal LFTs is a reflection of clinical significance, so repeating the LFTs hoping that they will improve is not necessarily the way to go. We need to remember that...
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