Health Encyclopedia

5'-nucleotidase

Definition

5'-nucleotidase (5'-NT) is a protein produced by the liver. A test can be done to measure the amount of this protein in your blood.

Alternative Names

5'-NT

How the Test is Performed

Blood is drawn from a vein. You may feel slight pain or a sting when the needle is inserted. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.

How to Prepare for the Test

Your health care provider may tell you to stop taking some medicines that could interfere with the test. Drugs that may affect results include:

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Halothane
Isoniazid
Methyldopa
Nitrofurantoin

Why the Test is Performed

Your provider may order this test if you have signs of a liver problem. It is used mostly to tell if the high protein level is due to liver damage or skeletal muscle damage.

Normal Results

The normal value is 2 to 17 units per liter.

Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.

The examples above show the common measurements for results for these tests. Some laboratories use different measurements or may test different specimens.

What Abnormal Results Mean

Greater than normal levels may indicate:

Cirrhosis (scarring of the liver and poor liver function)
Flow of bile from the liver is blocked (cholestasis)
Heart failure
Hepatitis (inflamed liver)
Liver cancer or tumor
Liver ischemia (reduced blood flow to the liver)
Liver necrosis (death of liver tissue)
Lung disease
Ovarian cancer
Pancreas disease
Rheumatoid arthritis
Use of medicines that are toxic to the liver

Risks

Slight risks from having blood drawn may include:

Excessive bleeding
Fainting or feeling lightheaded
Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
Bruising

References

Pincus MR, Carty RP. Clinical enzymology. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 21.

Pratt DS. Liver chemistry and function tests. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 73.

Review Date:2/28/2023
Reviewed By:Jacob Berman, MD, MPH, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) and this website do not claim the information on, or referred to by, this site is error free. This site may include links to websites of other government agencies or private groups. Our Agency and this website do not control such sites and are not responsible for their content. Reference to or links to any other group, product, service, or information does not mean our Agency or this website approves of that group, product, service, or information.

Additionally, while health information provided through this website may be a valuable resource for the public, it is not designed to offer medical advice. Talk with your doctor about medical care questions you may have.