Diagnosis of Liver Disease

Signs of jaundice are never normal and should always be followed with a medical evaluation, as well as persisting fever, vomiting and abdominal pain. If you are experiencing these symptoms, it is time to see your doctor for proper evaluation and testing.

Testing for liver disease involves an examination of your current physical condition, personal health history and family health history. This will help your medical provider better understand your risk for liver disease as well as the symptoms you’re currently experiencing.

Gathering an accurate history can be difficult, if you are not forthcoming with information about your nutritional or social habits and alcohol consumption. While physical findings may be evident throughout your body, it is still very important that you provide your doctor with honest and complete reporting so they can make a proper diagnosis. They do not judge. However, they do need correct information to accurately and quickly determine the cause and treatment of your illness.

Your physical examination will require analysis of the entire body to identify potential signs of liver disease in your heart, lungs, abdomen, skin and brain. Blood tests are helpful in assessing liver inflammation and function, and in determining the current state of liver health. A liver biopsy (tissue analysis) is often necessary in conjunction with imaging tests to determine liver health.

Some of the testing employed to determine an accurate diagnosis of liver disease may include: