Diagnosing Liver Disease

Liver Function Tests

Liver function tests help your doctor check your liver's health and detect liver damage. These blood tests measure the levels of certain proteins and enzymes in your blood. Proteins are large molecules that are needed for your overall health. Enzymes are cellular proteins that help important chemical reactions to occur in your body.

Why are liver function tests done?

Liver function tests may be done for many reasons. Some doctors perform these tests as part of a regular checkup. Other doctors may use liver function tests to screen patients who are at risk for liver disease. Doctors also use them to monitor a person's liver disease and to check if treatment is working.

What are the commonly used liver function tests?

Alanine Transaminase (ALT) is an enzyme mainly found in your liver. Consistently high levels of ALT in your blood can be a sign of liver damage.

Aspartate Transaminase (AST) is an enzyme found in large amounts in your liver and other parts of your body. High levels of AST can be a sign of liver damage.

Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme found in large amounts in your liver, bile ducts, and other parts of your body. The ALP test measures the level of ALP in your blood. High levels of ALP can be a sign of liver or bile duct damage.

Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) is an enzyme found in large amounts in your liver, bile ducts, and pancreas. High levels of GGT can be a sign of liver or bile duct damage.

Liver Protein Tests

• Total Protein measures the amount of protein in your blood. The two main proteins found in the blood are globulins and albumin.
• Globulin is a protein made in your liver that helps the immune system fight infections. Low globulin levels can be a sign of liver damage or other conditions.
• Albumin is another protein made in your liver. An albumin test measures how well your liver is making the proteins that your body needs. Low albumin levels can be a sign of liver damage.
• Prothrombin is a protein made in your liver and helps with clotting blood. A prothrombin time test measures how much time it takes for your blood to clot. A high prothrombin time can also be reflected by a high International Normalized Ratio (INR), which can reflect liver damage.

Bilirubin Tests

Bilirubin is a yellow fluid made in your body when red blood cells break down. A bilirubin test measures the level of bilirubin in your blood. If your liver is damaged, bilirubin can leak out of your liver into your blood and can cause jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes). It also can come out in the urine making it look very dark.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

• How often is a liver function test done or needs to be done?
• How effective is a liver function test?
• Do I need to fast prior to my test?
• How can I interpret what a liver function test tells me?
• Can a specific liver disease be diagnosed with this test?
• Can a liver function test tell me to what degree my liver has been impacted?

Common Imaging Tests

Your doctor may order tests that take images of your liver to help make the diagnosis of liver disease. Different types of images can be obtained by using various types of equipment, including:

Computed Tomography (CT Scan)

A CT scan uses X-rays and computer technology to produce images of the liver. It can identify liver injuries, tumors, infections, vessel changes, blocked ducts and other abnormalities. Sometimes, a contrast dye is given to improve image clarity.

Transient Elastography

This test measures liver stiffness with a special ultrasound machine, the most common being FibroScan. Like a regular ultrasound, the exam is painless and non-invasive.

Magnetic Resonance Elastography (MRE)

This is a newer, noninvasive test that combines features of ultrasound and MRI imaging to create a visual map showing gradients of stiffness throughout the liver. MRE has been shown to be a more reliable measure of liver stiffness in severely obese patients.

Ultrasound

This is a painless, noninvasive test that uses sound waves to create images of the liver. It helps doctors detect conditions like swelling or masses.

Liver Biopsy

A liver biopsy is a medical procedure used to remove a small piece of liver tissue so doctors can examine the liver's condition.

Why is a liver biopsy done?

When other tests indicate that your liver may not be working properly, your doctor may want to do a liver biopsy to more accurately learn the condition of your liver especially if the bloodwork is unrevealing.

A liver biopsy is an accurate way to learn the condition of your liver. A liver biopsy helps:

• diagnose liver disease and the stage it is in.
• detect cancer and infections.
• provide reasons for liver swelling or abnormal levels of liver enzymes.

How do you prepare for a liver biopsy?

Before the biopsy, your doctor may take blood samples to make sure your blood clots properly. You may not be able to eat or drink anything for eight hours before the test and hold off taking specific medications.

It is important to tell your doctor:

• all the medications (prescription, non-prescription, supplements, etc.) you are taking.
• bleeding problems you may have.
• allergies you may have.
• if you are pregnant.

Your doctor also may give you additional instructions prior to your liver biopsy.

How is the liver biopsy performed?

A liver biopsy is typically done at a hospital and can be performed in the following ways:

Traditional

You will be asked to lie on your back with your right hand above your head. After injecting a local anesthetic to numb the area, a doctor will make a small cut in your right side near your rib cage and

insert a needle to get a tiny sample of your liver tissue. An ultrasound image of your liver may be used in the process to help guide the needle. You will need to stay very still during the process and will need to hold your breath for five to ten seconds when the needle is being inserted. You may feel pressure and dull pain. The entire procedure lasts about twenty minutes.

Laparoscopic

Your doctor will insert a tube called a laparoscope through a small cut in your abdomen. The laparoscope sends images of your liver to a monitor. Your doctor watches the monitor and uses instruments in the laparoscope to take tiny tissue samples from your liver. The laparoscopic method is used when your doctor needs tissue samples from a specific part of your liver.

Transvenous

Your doctor will insert a small tube called a catheter into a vein in your neck and guide it to your liver. The doctor puts a biopsy needle into the catheter and guides it into your liver to take tiny tissue samples. The transvenous method is often used if you have blood clotting problems or have fluid in your abdomen.

What happens after the liver biopsy is done?

After the biopsy, a bandage will be put over the incision and you will need to lie on your right side for a few hours. Afterwards, you will receive directions about limiting physical activity and any restrictions. You may be sore in the area of the biopsy and in your right shoulder. The pain usually goes away in a few hours or days. Your doctor also may provide other instructions after the biopsy.

What are the risks of a liver biopsy?

Liver biopsy does have some risks but they are not common. Risks include internal bleeding, injury to the lung, gallbladder or kidney, and infection.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

• What is the size of the piece of liver that is removed?
• How long will I be in the hospital for this procedure - is in this an outpatient or inpatient procedure?
• What kind of biopsy will this be? (abdominal or trans-jugular)
• How long does the procedure take?
• What type of anesthesia will I be under?
• How accurate are the results?
• What is the recovery time?
• What are the risks involved with this procedure?
• Am I at greater risk for bleeding?
• Are there medications I should stop taking prior to the procedure?
• Will someone need to drive me home or stay with me after the procedure?

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Last updated on September 22nd, 2025 at 09:40 am