BILE ACID TOTAL, SERUM

Total bile acids are metabolized in the liver and can serve as a marker for normal liver function. Increases in serum bile acids are seen in patients with acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, liver sclerosis, liver cancer, and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. In Obstetric Cholestasis, concentrations greater than 15 μmol/L usually confirms the diagnosis in the absence of other hepatic disease. Bile acid concentrations greater than 40 μmol/L have been associated with increased fetal risk.