Una Health Ltd
Document Control
Author: E. C. Hamer
UH-POC-TM-2 Revision 1
Date of Issue 26.04.10
Photocopied versions & handwritten amendments of this document are not controlled
Page 11 of 54
Printed 27 April 2010
HDL
High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL cholesterol) has anti-atherosclerotic and
cardio protective properties. For this reason, there is an inverse association between
HDL cholesterol and cardiovascular risk. A low HDL cholesterol level is an
independent risk factor for atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease (CHD), even
in individuals with low LDL cholesterol levels. HDL cholesterol levels should
therefore routinely be assessed by primary care providers as part of a lipid profile
which also includes total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides.
Triglycerides
Up to 30 percent of the population has elevated triglyceride values. Elevated
triglyceride levels are an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases,
commonly associated with other lipid and non lipid risk factors (e.g. high blood
pressure), and metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. Elevation of both
LDL cholesterol and triglycerides indicates a particularly high cardiovascular risk.
Thus the need to detect, monitor and treat elevated triglyceride levels in order to
prevent cardiovascular diseases is of high importance.
GGT
γ
(Gamma)-Glutamyltransferase (GGT) is a highly sensitive parameter for numerous
disorders with involvement of the liver, but it can also be found in pancreatic, renal
disorders, and myocardial infarction. Usually it is regarded as one of the enzymes
that indicate cholestasis. As GGT values rise before liver damage becomes evident
this enzyme is especially important for diagnosis of anicteric or symptomless forms
of disease. If the values increase two-fold or more above the upper reference level, a
parenchymal liver damage has to be considered.
However, unexplained mild elevations are common and may occur even after
moderate alcohol intake. For differential diagnosis it is therefore reasonable to take
into account other enzyme parameters like GPT, GOT, ALP or bilirubin, in addition to
GGT.
GOT (AST)
Glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) - also known as aspartate
aminotransferase or AST, is an enzyme found in the mitochondrion and cytoplasm of
all cells. The evaluation of GOT (AST) activity is a basic procedure for the diagnosis
and the monitoring of hepatocellular disorders or muscle damage. The increase in
GOT (AST) correlates in general well with the extent and severity of cellular damage.
The differential diagnosis of liver disease requires the determination of GPT, ALP &
GGT in addition to GOT. The ratios of creatine kinase/GOT and GOT/GPT may
provide further information about the organ damaged (liver vs. muscle) and the
severity of the disease.