- Membrane-bound enzyme that hydrolyzes a nucleotide into a nucleoside and phosphate - Used to confirm hepatobiliary origin of elevated ALP levels. - 5’-NT is more specific to the liver and/or biliary tract than ALP
What if the patient is jaundiced but ALT and ALP levels are normal? An isolated rise in bilirubin is suggestive of a pre-hepatic cause of jaundice.
Causes of an isolated Jaundice (rise in bilirubin with normal liver functions )include: Haemolysis: check a blood film, full blood count, reticulocyte count, haptoglobin and LDH levels to confirm.