Hepatic clearance

Hepatic clearance (K.) is an indicator that characterizes the absorption and excretory function of the liver. It is defined as the rate at which the liver removes various substances such as bilirubin, drugs and toxins from the blood.

Hepatic clearance is important for assessing liver function and diagnosing liver diseases. For example, with elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood, which may indicate impaired liver function, hepatic clearance may be reduced. Also, assessing hepatic clearance can help in choosing the correct dosage of drugs that must be removed from the body through the liver.

To determine liver clearance, various research methods are used, such as blood and urine tests, as well as special tests. However, to obtain accurate results, many factors must be taken into account, such as the patient's age, gender, weight and health status.

In general, liver clearance is an important indicator that allows you to evaluate liver function and identify possible problems. It can be used to diagnose and treat various liver diseases, as well as to determine the effectiveness of therapy.

Hepatic clearance or bilirubin clearance is a parameter that measures the absorptive function of the liver. It determines the rate at which metabolic products such as bilirubin (derived from the breakdown of red blood cells) and other substances are removed from the blood. Bilirubin clearance may be reduced in patients with cirrhosis, leading to accumulation of bilirubin in the blood and jaundice. This parameter can be used to assess the condition of the liver and diagnose liver diseases. Clearance is a unit of rate that measures the concentration of a substance per unit time. To calculate clearance you need to know conjugated (passed substance) and direct (free) bilirubin. You also need to find out the content of total bilirubin when measuring. A value of 25% of the total bilirubin value obtained in blood tests is used. Direct bilirubin is the conjugated form of bilirubin - (glucuronic acid transporter). The diagnosis is established based on the detection of increased levels of direct bilirubin and a decrease in bilirubin clearance compared to reference values.

Bilirubin clearance is important when it comes to the overall picture of chronic diseases. Its measurement is important for understanding the process of bilirubin exchange between the liver, skin, bile and urine, which is necessary to maintain an optimal balance of all substances in the body. Elevated bilirubin levels usually indicate the presence of serious health problems related to the liver. Low bilirubin levels indicate liver or kidney problems, which can cause more serious symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and jaundice.

Another important function of clearance is to support the body's immune system. Bilirubin binds various immune cells, preventing their phagocytosis and destroying dangerous and harmful viruses and bacteria.