Which analyte level is often monitored to evaluate the severity of liver disease?

Which analyte level is often monitored to evaluate the severity of liver disease?

• A. Urea nitrogen
• B. Ammonia
• C. Serum bilirubin
• D. Alkaline phosphatase

Answer: (C)

Serum bilirubin is a key analyte in assessing liver function and disease severity. Bilirubin is a byproduct of the breakdown of hemoglobin from red blood cells and is normally processed by the liver. When the liver is impaired due to conditions such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, or liver obstruction, the ability to conjugate and excrete bilirubin may be compromised, leading to an increase in serum bilirubin levels. Elevated bilirubin can result in jaundice, a common sign of significant liver dysfunction. Monitoring bilirubin levels provides valuable information about the liver's ability to perform its metabolic and excretory functions. A rising bilirubin level often indicates worsening liver disease or complications like bile duct obstruction. Thus, it is a common and important marker used in clinical settings to evaluate the status of liver disease. Other analytes, while useful in different contexts, do not primarily reflect liver function severity in the same direct way as serum bilirubin.

Serum bilirubin is a key analyte in assessing liver function and disease severity. Bilirubin is a byproduct of the breakdown of hemoglobin from red blood cells and is normally processed by the liver. When the liver is impaired due to conditions such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, or liver obstruction, the ability to conjugate and excrete bilirubin may be compromised, leading to an increase in serum bilirubin levels. Elevated bilirubin can result in jaundice, a common sign of significant liver dysfunction.

Monitoring bilirubin levels provides valuable information about the liver's ability to perform its metabolic and excretory functions. A rising bilirubin level often indicates worsening liver disease or complications like bile duct obstruction. Thus, it is a common and important marker used in clinical settings to evaluate the status of liver disease.

Other analytes, while useful in different contexts, do not primarily reflect liver function severity in the same direct way as serum bilirubin.