Pain in right abdomen, bitter taste in mouth, bloating and discomfort after eating… These signs indicate that you may not be in the liver. What tests need to pass and what will they show? List the main methods of diagnosis of diseases of the liver.
A blood test
If you suspect liver disease doctors prescribe biochemical analysis of blood. For the assessment of body doctor important indicators for the following positions:
- Enzymes: alkaline phosphatase, aminotransferases (AST, ALT), LDH, SDH and other
- Total protein
- Bilirubin
- Cholesterol
- Iron
- Urea
To assess the state of the liver measure the work of blood coagulation – prothrombin index find out.
Preparation for blood test
If the patient will have blood tests on liver function tests, it must be remembered that the analysis is rented on an empty stomach. Before him we can not only eat, but to drink, including water. Before you should avoid fatty foods, no alcohol, no Smoking. The possible need to abandon the reception of medicines (whether to skip the routine for you medications, always consult your doctor). You should also avoid physical exertion and do not lift weights, as this can distort the performance tests.
Urinalysis
Urinalysis is included in the program of almost any standard survey. On liver problems in the urine indicates presence of bilirubin. In the norm it should be small, 4 mg per day. Laboratory this indicator is not revealed, so often say that the normal urine bilirubin is missing.
The appearance of bilirubin in urine says about diseases of the liver, and in particular the state, when there is massive loss of liver cells.
Ultrasound of the liver
Ultrasound examination of the liver is informative diagnostic method, which allows to detect diseases such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, to detect liver metastases in cancer. On the ultrasound the doctor sees cysts, areas of increased density of the liver tissue, can detect stones in the gallbladder.
During the ultrasound estimated the position and size of the liver and also the size of each share. It is possible to estimate the diameter of the hepatic duct, inferior Vena cava and other important metrics.
Before ultrasound is recommended not to consume foods that cause flatulence, and directly before the study to refrain from eating.
CT and MRI of the liver
Computer and magnetic resonance tomography of the liver are increasingly replacing x-ray examination. This informative methods which allow the doctor to see the most complete picture of the state authority.
During imaging is obtained layer-by-layer image of the body that the doctor can examine him in any desired projection. Imaging helps to identify even small education: hemangioma, cyst, nodular hyperplasia, abscesses, to see metastasis and to assess their degree of prevalence, to assess the vessel diameter.
FibroTest
If you suspect liver fibrosis (the process by which healthy liver tissue is replaced by connective tissue fibers) doctors can refer the patient to FibroTest. It is a modern diagnostic method, which in some cases allows to avoid liver biopsy.
During FibroTest the patient takes the blood test and examinations, allowing to establish the degree of fibrosis and the degree of necrosis of liver tissues. The undeniable advantage of this survey is small compared to the invasiveness of the biopsy.
Liver biopsy
Liver biopsy, or to obtain tissue for analysis, are performed when other diagnostic methods do not provide a complete picture of the status of the organ. Biopsy is an invasive method, so without clear indications to patients not performed.
A fragment of liver tissue can be obtained by laparoscopy or with a needle. Received a fragment of tissue is sent for histological analysis. Biopsy is performed in diseases of the liver, the cause of which cannot be ascertained, in parasitic and bacterial infections, and in some cases inflammation. The study of the liver tissue allows doctors not only to establish the cause of the disease, but also to prescribe optimal therapy.