Bile Acid
| Category | Biochemistry | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test background |
Bile acids are synthesised in the liver through oxidation of cholesterol and act as surfactants, emulsifying lipids to aid absorption and digestion following their secretion into the intestines from the gall bladder. Bile acids typically accumulate in (obstetric) intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy and this increase may precede the derangement of routine liver function tests. |
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| Clinical Indications |
Profound itching (pruritis, especially in hands and feet) in pregnancy Previous history of obstetric cholestasis |
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| Reference range |
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| Sample & container required | SST (gold top) or Red top | ||||||
| Sample volume | 0.5 mL | ||||||
| Turnaround time | 1 day |