Bile acids Laboratory research

General Information

A blood test for bile acids is important for assessing liver and bile duct function. The analysis ensures timely detection of disorders and health protection.

These acids are produced in the liver by conjugating (binding) cholesterol with glycine and taurine. It is concentrated in the gallbladder and secreted into the intestine after food intake. In the intestinal lumen, bile acids provide fat emulsification (the breakdown of large molecules into smaller fat molecules) and the process of digestion. 90% of bile acids secreted into the intestinal lumen are reabsorbed.

The importance of bile acid levels

• To assess liver function during the damaging influence of chemical or other factors.
• Also, to assess the histological condition of the liver after a course of hepatitis C treatment.
• To evaluate extrahepatic cholestasis during pregnancy

Increased levels are a highly sensitive indicator of liver diseases, such as: cirrhosis of the liver, hepatitis, cholestasis, portal vein thrombosis, Budd-Chiari syndrome, cholangitis, Wilson's disease, hemochromatosis, etc. In intestinal malabsorption syndrome, an increase in bile acids in the blood is not observed. Metabolic disorders of the liver, such as Gilbert's syndrome, Crigler-Najjar hereditary jaundice, Dubin-Jones syndrome, etc., do not cause disturbances in the concentration of bile acids in the blood.

Material for examination:

Venous blood