Important Signs Of Liver Damage

Diagnosing Liver Damage

It is imperative that if a patient shows a majority, if not all, of the signs of liver damage, that they visit their doctor for a proper diagnosis. Discovering the exact cause and extent of liver damage is critical, as the diagnosis guides the type of treatment the patient will receive. A doctor is likely to begin the diagnosis by examining the patient’s health and medical history and perform a thorough examination. There are three ways to determine if an individual has liver damage and the extent of it.

The first way is with a blood test, where a group of blood tests is performed, called liver function tests, which are used to determine if an individual has liver disease. Other blood tests can be done to look for specific liver problems or genetic disorders as well. Imaging tests, such as an ultrasound, CT scan, and MRI, are the second type of tests that can show liver damage. Finally, a tissue analysis can be conducted and involves removing a tissue sample, known as a biopsy, from the patient’s liver and can help diagnose liver disease and signs of liver damage. A liver biopsy is often performed using a long needle inserted through the skin to extract a tissue sample, which is then sent to a laboratory for examination.