ALT – Alanine aminotransferase (BM)
ALT is an enzyme found in highest concentrations in the liver but also in smaller amounts in heart, muscle and kidney. May be elevated due to hepatocellular disease, biliary issues, pancreatitis.
AST – Aspartate aminotransferase (BM)
AST is an intracellular enzyme that is usually elevated due to active tissue and cellular destruction. May be elevated due to hepatitis, liver cirrhosis or alcoholism, hypothyroidism. May be decreased due to Vit B6 deficiency, elevated serum nitrogen.
GGT – Gamma-Glutamyl transferase (BM)
An enzyme found primarily in the liver, kidney, and pancreas. May be elevated due to biliary tree dysfunction, alcoholism, pancreatitis, oxidative stress. May be decreased due to hypothyroidism, magnesium deficiency.
Globulin (BM)
A plasma protein with different subtypes. May be elevated due to cancer, autoimmunity, elevated oestrogen. May be decreased due to haemolytic anaemia, nephrosis, compromised immune system. Plasma is the largest single component of blood, It is a clear, straw-coloured liquid, which carries platelets, red and white blood cells.
Ferritin (BM)
Ferritin may be elevated due to hemochromatosis and other genetic conditions, inflammation, liver damage, haemolytic or sideroblastic anaemia. May be decreased due to poor intake, poor absorption, chronic blood loss, chronic disease or infection, progesterone birth control pills.
Reticulocyte Count (BM)
Reticulocytes are immature red blood cells (RBCs) produced in the bone marrow and released into the peripheral blood where they mature into RBCs within 1-2 days. An increase or decrease in reticulocyte count can indicate erythropoiesis (RBC production) activity or failure.
