The combination of hyperbilirubinemia, elevated white blood cell (WBC) count with bandemia, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase elevations all suggest the diagnosis.  Alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin are significantly higher inpatients with malignant rather than benign obstruction.  In benign obstruction, the bilirubin rarely exceeds 12.  Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and 5’-nucleotidase confirm a biliary origin of the alkaline phosphatase.  The prothrombin time is often elevated.  AST and ALT may be as high as 1000, especially if microabcesses form.
Cholangitis laboratory tests
Drug induced liver injury physical examination
Alcoholic hepatitis physical examination
Cholangitis physical examination
Gallbladder cancer laboratory tests
Hepatic encephalopathy physical examination
Autoimmune hepatitis physical examination
Alcoholic liver disease physical examination