Gallensäurespiegels

Gallensäurespiegels refers to the concentration of bile acids in the body, primarily measured in blood serum. Bile acids are steroid acids produced by the liver from cholesterol. They play a crucial role in the digestion and absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins in the small intestine. After their digestive function, bile acids are reabsorbed and transported back to the liver via the enterohepatic circulation, where they are reused.

Elevated gallensäurespiegels can indicate impaired liver function, such as in conditions like cholestasis, viral hepatitis, or cirrhosis. During cholestasis, the normal flow of bile from the liver to the intestine is obstructed, leading to a buildup of bile acids in the blood. Similarly, if the liver is damaged, its ability to process and excrete bile acids can be compromised, resulting in higher levels in circulation.

Measuring gallensäurespiegels can be a sensitive indicator of liver disease, sometimes appearing before other liver enzyme abnormalities. They are often used in the diagnosis and monitoring of liver conditions, especially in pregnant women experiencing intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. Fasting and postprandial (after a meal) measurements can provide different insights into bile acid metabolism. Levels typically rise after eating due to the release of bile acids into the intestine. Therefore, understanding the context of the measurement, such as whether the patient was fasting, is important for accurate interpretation.