Taurolithocholic Acid Unit Converter

Taurolithocholic acid (TLCA) is a bile acid formed when the liver conjugates lithocholic acid with the amino acid taurine. Lithocholic acid itself is a secondary bile acid, meaning it is not made directly by the liver but is instead produced by bacteria in the gut.

In healthy individuals, TLCA circulates in very low concentrations in the blood. It is one of the most toxic bile acids and is a potent inducer of cholestasis (impaired bile flow). Because of its toxicity, the liver normally sulfates and detoxifies it efficiently before excretion.

TLCA is measured as part of a comprehensive bile acid profile, which quantifies individual bile acid species to evaluate liver and biliary tract function.

Gut bacteria convert the primary bile acid chenodeoxycholic acid into lithocholic acid through 7-alpha-dehydroxylation. Lithocholic acid is then absorbed back into the portal circulation and conjugated with taurine in the liver to form taurolithocholic acid.