Final answer:
To measure hepatic synthetic ability, serum albumin and prothrombin time (PT) are two primary tests. Low serum albumin levels can indicate reduced synthetic function, while prolonged PT suggests impaired liver function in clotting factor production. The INR standardizes PT results for consistent interpretation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Tests Measuring Hepatic Synthetic Ability
To assess the synthetic function of the liver, two key tests are commonly used: measurement of serum albumin and prothrombin time (PT). Serum albumin levels indicate the liver's ability to synthesize proteins since albumin is exclusively produced by the liver. Low albumin levels can reflect impaired synthetic function. Prothrombin time measures how long it takes for blood to clot by evaluating the extrinsic pathway and common coagulation pathway. Since clotting factors are produced by the liver, prolonged PT can be indicative of hepatic dysfunction.
An additional parameter of interest is the INR (International Normalized Ratio), which standardizes the PT results irrespective of the testing method. This is particularly useful when checking the effect of anticoagulant drugs or in cases of chronic liver disease. Recognizing alterations in these test results is critical in determining the hepatic synthetic capacity and guiding potential treatment strategies.