What laboratory finding is typical in primary biliary cirrhosis?

In primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), the hallmark laboratory finding is a markedly elevated alkaline phosphatase level. This condition is characterized by cholestasis due to destructive inflammatory processes affecting bile ducts in the liver, which leads to a buildup of bile acids and other substances that the liver normally excretes. The liver’s inability to effectively transport bile contributes significantly to the elevation of alkaline phosphatase, an enzyme that typically increases in conditions where there is bile duct obstruction or liver dysfunction.

Alkaline phosphatase levels can be significantly higher in patients with PBC compared to other liver diseases, making this enzyme a critical marker for diagnosis and disease monitoring in this condition. Other liver function tests may also be elevated, but the elevation of alkaline phosphatase is particularly distinctive for PBC and serves as a key indicator in the diagnostic process.

In contrast, the other choices listed do not represent typical laboratory findings associated with primary biliary cirrhosis. Elevated blood glucose levels may occur in various metabolic or endocrine disorders but are not directly indicative of PBC. A low white blood cell count could suggest a different pathology, such as bone marrow suppression or an autoimmune disorder unrelated to liver function. High ammonia levels are often linked to hepatic