Which enzyme is elevated in post-hepatic jaundice?

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Multiple Choice

Which enzyme is elevated in post-hepatic jaundice?

In posthepatic (obstructive) jaundice, bile flow is blocked, causing cholestasis. This pattern raises enzymes linked to bile duct injury and cholestasis, especially gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT). GGT is a sensitive marker of biliary obstruction because its levels rise with cholestasis even when there isn’t extensive hepatocellular damage. In contrast, ALT reflects liver cell injury; in purely obstructive jaundice it may stay normal or only rise modestly since the primary issue is blockage of bile flow rather than hepatocyte damage. Amylase and lipase are pancreatic enzymes and aren’t characteristic markers of posthepatic jaundice; they elevate with pancreatitis, not biliary obstruction. So, GGT is the enzyme that’s typically elevated in posthepatic jaundice.

In posthepatic (obstructive) jaundice, bile flow is blocked, causing cholestasis. This pattern raises enzymes linked to bile duct injury and cholestasis, especially gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT). GGT is a sensitive marker of biliary obstruction because its levels rise with cholestasis even when there isn’t extensive hepatocellular damage.

In contrast, ALT reflects liver cell injury; in purely obstructive jaundice it may stay normal or only rise modestly since the primary issue is blockage of bile flow rather than hepatocyte damage. Amylase and lipase are pancreatic enzymes and aren’t characteristic markers of posthepatic jaundice; they elevate with pancreatitis, not biliary obstruction.

So, GGT is the enzyme that’s typically elevated in posthepatic jaundice.

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