Q.16 A 20 year old boy was advised a liver function test by the doctor upon complaining of pain in the abdominal
region and yellowing of nails. Subsequently he was diagnosed of hepatic jaundice. Wllich of the following
would you expect in his test repott ?
1. Increased activity of ALT and AST
2. Only increased activity of ALP
3. Only increased activity of AST
4. Only increased activity of ALT
Correct Answer: 1. Increased activity of ALT and AST
Hepatic jaundice in a young patient with abdominal pain reflects hepatocellular damage, causing both ALT and AST to rise markedly as these enzymes leak from injured hepatocytes.
Option Analysis
1. Increased activity of ALT and AST
ALT (liver-specific) and AST (liver/muscle) elevate >10x in hepatocellular injury like viral hepatitis causing jaundice. Matches hepatic jaundice pattern with abdominal symptoms.
2. Only increased activity of ALP
ALP rises in cholestasis/obstruction (e.g., gallstones), with <3x ALT increase. Hepatic jaundice shows hepatocellular dominance, not isolated ALP.
3. Only increased activity of AST
AST alone suggests alcoholic hepatitis or muscle damage (AST:ALT >2). Acute hepatic jaundice elevates both enzymes proportionally.
4. Only increased activity of ALT
ALT-dominant patterns occur in NAFLD/viral hepatitis early, but AST always accompanies in acute damage causing jaundice symptoms.
Hepatic jaundice liver function test ALT AST increased signals hepatocellular damage in patients with abdominal pain and jaundice signs like yellow nails. This hepatic jaundice liver function test ALT AST increased guide clarifies LFT interpretation for med students and doctors prepping NEET PG, USMLE.
LFT Patterns Decoded
Hepatocellular injury (>10x ALT/AST, <3x ALP) vs cholestasis (ALP-dominant). Young patient + acute symptoms = viral hepatitis/toxin profile.
Enzyme Comparison Table
| Enzyme Pattern | ALT/AST Rise | ALP Rise | Diagnosis Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALT + AST increased | >10x | <3x | Hepatic jaundice |
| Only ALP | <3x | >3x | Cholestasis |
| Only AST | High AST:ALT | Normal | Alcoholic hepatitis |
| Only ALT | Mild | Normal | NAFLD early stage |
Hepatic jaundice liver function test ALT AST increased confirms hepatocyte necrosis.
Clinical Next Steps
Order viral markers (HAV, HBV), USG abdomen. AST:ALT <1 suggests viral etiology. Mnemonic: “Hepatic = ALT+AST sky-high; Cholestatic = ALP flies.”
