I would to know what the following words mean?

Question

my son is a 3 year old diabetic and has got problems with his liver.what are the normal levels for a liver function test and what does the costal margin mean.i would be grateful for your advice

Answer 1

Numbers mean nothing when taken out of context, and they vary between adults and children. You need to talk to your child's doctor.
I assume the childs liver is enlarged if the phrase you heard was "below the costal margin";

Answer 2

Alk PHos 40-120, ALT upto 50, GGT upto 70, albumin 30-48 and bilirubin upto 17. This is for an adult, childhood results do vary.

The costal margin is just the bottom of the ribcage. it is used in terms of the liver, as a normal liver should not be felt below the costal margin. If it is the liver is enlarged, a term known as hepatomegaly, and this to be confirmed radiologically and investigated.

Answer 3

Sorry, I know it's hard when you want to find out more than just what your dr tells you - personally I think it's v important that you do - drs can't know about everything and many know very little about some conditions! I'm sorry I don't know much about liver function tests - if you're not happy with the answers you're getting from your dr ask to see another for a second opinion - you have a right to do this and they may know different things or just explain things better or differently or in more detail (or they may not). Don't worry about offending drs or anything like that, or about asking heaps of questions and pushing untill you're happy with their response - try writing down a list of questions to take in with you and writing down the answers in front of the Dr so that you can read them back to check you've understood. Don't feel like you're wasting their time. Also, you could ask if they can recomend any support for you or if they can put you in touch with someone who's been through the same thing (diabetes specialist nurses are often good for this kind of stuff). I'm sure you don't need anyone to tell you that your sons health is the most important thing so don't worry about keeping on at the docs until you are happy you understand everything. Good luck xx

Answer 4

A liver function test looks at a panel of enzymes that would be present in the blood when there is liver damage. The panel looks at ALT (alanine amino transferase) , AST(aspartate amino transferase), ALP(alkaline phosphatase), GGT(gamma glutamyl-transpeptidase) and bilirubin levels in the blood.

ALT: 3-37U/L
AST:19-28U/L
GGT:0-23U/L
ALP: 20 to 140 IU/L and higher in children as their bones are developing.
Bilirubin(direct): 0.1-0.4 mg/dL, conjugated (indirect) bilirubin: 0.3-1.1 mg/dL

Costal margin means the part of the liver that is just below the right rib cage, ie the cartilage of the 10th rib. This part of the liver can be felt if the liver is enlarged. Hope this information helps and hope the best for your child

Answer 5

costal margin means ending of the rib cage. For liver function test you have to see a doctor (it might happen that lab has specific standard values)

Answer 6

Ask your doctor or the diabetic nurse.

In response to the previous answer - there is NO reversal for diabetese.

There are two types = Type 1 which is normally diagnosed in children. The pancreas stops producing insulin, and has to be replaced artificially (normally by injection).
Type two is late onset and is often associated with obesity. This is where the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin, or the body is inefficient in using the insulin it does produce. To begin with, it can be controlled by diet (not reversed) but ultimately, sufferers will end up on medication and/or injections.

Answer 7

Costal Margin is an area of the liver.
http://www.anatomyatlases.org/HumanAnatomy/Topography/Liver.shtml

Liver Function Test
http://www.liverdoctor.com/Section2/09_livertest.asp?print=true

The doctor should have gone over the test results with you.

Answer 8

ASK YOUR CHILD'S DOCTOR! please don't ask such an serious question like that on here because the answers you get will not be the ones you are looking for please contact your child's doctor or call some other doctors office and get the correct answer you are looking for but just not here it's not healthy to come on here and ask strangers to tell you the correct answer to info that such a serious matter. Good Luck to you and your son my God be with you and yours.

Answer 9

Contact the doctor. I wouldn't trust anyone but a doctor when it comes to my 3 year old.

Answer 10

Contact your doctor, thats what they are for, not the dimwits on here