Radioimmunoassay of serum bile acid levels in biopsy-proved cirrhosis.

Serum bile acid levels were determined by a radioimmunoassay for conjugates of cholic acid in 18 patients with biopsy-proved cirrhosis and compared to results of conventional liver function tests. Serum bile acid levels were abnormal in all 18 patients whereas results of the other tests were abnormal in only 50% to 72% of patients. In this group of patients with a well established diagnosis of cirrhosis, serum bile acid levels were a more sensitive indicator of liver dysfunction than standard liver function tests.