The Different Types of Hepatitis A and B Immunizations
7. Diagnosis

Three types of blood tests can be used to determine if a hepatitis infection is present: genetic material such as DNA or RNA, antibodies to the hepatitis virus, and liver enzymes. The most common type of blood test is testing for the liver enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST or SGOT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT or SGPT). These enzymes are normally stored in the liver cells. When hepatitis is present, the liver cells secrete these enzymes into the blood to signal that the liver needs help.