Blood Tests in Gallbladder Disease
When upper right abdominal pain suggests gallbladder disease or obstruction of the common bile duct, the following blood tests may be performed:
- Bilirubin and liver enzyme alkaline phosphatase (AP) are often elevated in cases of gallstones in the gallbladder and common bile duct (1)
- Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanin aminotransferase (ALT) are often elevated in cases of gallstones in the common bile duct (1)
- White blood cells are usually elevated in the inflamed gallbladder or common bile duct (mostly due to gallstones) (1)
- Tumor marker CA 19-9 may be significantly elevated in gallbladder or common bile duct cancer, which are rare before 60 years of age (2)
continue reading Gallbladder Tests: Ultrasound, CT, HIDA Scan, ERCP
