Blood Tests:
- Liver function panel: A liver function panel checks how well the liver is working and consists of many different blood tests.
- ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase): An elevated ALT helps identify liver disease or damage from any number of causes, including hepatitis.
- AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase): Along with an elevated ALT, the AST checks for liver damage.
- Alkaline phosphatase: Alkaline phosphatase is present in bile-secreting cells in the liver; it’s also in bones. High levels often mean bile flow out of the liver is blocked.
- Bilirubin: High bilirubin levels suggest a problem with the liver.
- Albumin: As part of total protein levels, albumin helps determine how well the liver is working.
- Ammonia: Ammonia levels in the blood rise when the liver is not functioning properly.
- Hepatitis A tests: If hepatitis A is suspected, the doctor will test liver function as well as antibodies to detect the hepatitis A virus.
- Hepatitis B tests: Your doctor can test antibody levels to determine if you have been infected with the hepatitis B virus.
- Hepatitis C tests: In addition to checking liver function, blood tests can determine if you have been infected with the hepatitis C virus.
- Prothrombin Time (PT): A prothrombin time, or PT, is commonly done to see if someone is taking the correct dose of the blood thinner warfarin (Coumadin). It also checks for blood clotting problems.
- Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT): A PTT is done to check for blood clotting problems.
- Ultrasound: An abdominal ultrasound can test for many liver conditions, including cancer, cirrhosis, or problems from gallstones.
- CT scan (computed tomography): A CT scan of the abdomen gives detailed pictures of the liver and other abdominal organs.
- Liver biopsy: A liver biopsy is most commonly done after another test, such as a blood test or ultrasound, indicates a possible liver problem.
- Liver and spleen scan: This nuclear scan uses radioactive material to help diagnose a number of conditions, including abscesses, tumors, and other liver function problems.
Liver Treatments
- Hepatitis A treatment: Hepatitis A usually goes away with time.
- Hepatitis B treatment: Chronic hepatitis B often requires treatment with antiviral medication.
- Hepatitis C treatment: Treatment for hepatitis C depends on several factors.
- Liver transplant: A liver transplant is needed when the liver no longer functions adequately, whatever the cause.
- Liver cancer treatment: While liver cancer is usually difficult to cure, treatment consists of chemotherapy and radiation. In some cases, surgical resection or liver transplantation is performed.
- Paracentesis: When severe ascites — swelling in the belly from liver failure — causes discomfort, a needle can be inserted through the skin to drain fluid from the abdomen.
- ERCP (Endocscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography): Using a long, flexible tube with a camera and tools on the end, doctors can diagnose and even treat some liver problems.