Glycolithocholic Acid Unit Converter

Glycolithocholic acid (GLCA) is a glycine-conjugated bile acid. It forms when the liver attaches the amino acid glycine to lithocholic acid, one of the most hydrophobic secondary bile acids in the body.

Lithocholic acid is produced by bacteria in the colon through transformation of the primary bile acid chenodeoxycholic acid. Once absorbed and returned to the liver, it is conjugated with glycine (forming GLCA) or taurine before being secreted back into bile.

GLCA normally circulates in very low concentrations in the blood. Elevated levels can indicate impaired liver clearance or disrupted bile flow, making it a useful marker in bile acid profiling.

Gut bacteria in the colon produce lithocholic acid by removing a hydroxyl group from chenodeoxycholic acid (a primary bile acid made by the liver). The liver then conjugates absorbed lithocholic acid with glycine to form GLCA.