Total bile acids are metabolized in the liver and can serve as a marker for normal liver function. Increases in serum bile acids are seen in patients with acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, liver sclerosis, liver cancer, and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.
Currently the most sensitive test available to detect Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy is the serum bile acid test, a blood test to measure the level of bile acids.
Bile acid concentrations greater than 40 ?mol/L have been associated with increased fetal risk. In Obstetric Cholestasis, concentrations greater than 15 ?mol/L usually confirms the diagnosis in the absence of other hepatic disease.
