Liver Tests

Diagnostic Liver Tests

How is a liver problem diagnosed?

A liver problem is diagosed by a combination of many liver tests. A healthcare professional can determine whether a person's symptoms, medical history, and physical condition are consistent with liver disease. Hepatomegaly, an enlarged, firm liver, and other signs of liver disease may be found on physical examination. If your doctor suspects that you have liver disease or a liver condition, there are a variety of tests that can provide more detail about a specific liver problem.  Some of these liver tests include:

 

Blood Tests

• Complete Blood Count (CBC) or Full Blood Count (FBC), blood tests that assess
• the type and number of blood cells in the body
• Liver Function Tests (LFTs), blood tests that check a wide variety of liver enzymes and by     products
• Viral hepatitis tests, blood tests used to help determine
• the presence of the hepatitis virus in the bloodstream

 

Imaging Tests

• Ultrasound
• Upper GI study
• Liver scans
• ERCP, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
• Abdominal CT scan
• Abdominal MRI
• Abdominal X-ray
• FibroScan®

 

Biopsy

In some cases, the only way to diagnose the presence of certain liver diseases is by means of a liver biopsy. This liver test procedure involves the removal of a tiny piece of liver tissue for examination under a microscope. Liver biopsies may have to be performed repeatedly to monitor how the disease is progressing or responding to treatment.

 

More Tests

Metabolic liver disease tests

Autoimmune liver disease tests

 

There are more than 100 different types of disease or conditions that affect the liver. Liver disease and cirrhosis are both major causes of death in the United States. Your symptoms, medical history, genetics, lifestyle, and behavioral choices are all factors that your doctor will consider when deciding which liver tests are most appropriate for you.