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How can you detect liver problems early?

A group of blood tests called liver function tests can be used to diagnose liver disease. Other blood tests can be done to look for specific liver problems or genetic conditions. Imaging tests. An ultrasound, CT scan and MRI can show liver damage.

mayoclinic.org - Liver problems - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic

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Diagnosis

Ultrasound of liver tumor Open pop-up dialog box Close Ultrasound of liver tumor Ultrasound of liver tumor An ultrasound uses sound waves to create an image. This ultrasound shows a noncancerous (benign) liver tumor. Liver biopsy Open pop-up dialog box Close Liver biopsy Liver biopsy A liver biopsy is a procedure to remove a small sample of liver tissue for laboratory testing. Liver biopsy is commonly performed by inserting a thin needle through your skin and into your liver. Finding the cause and extent of liver damage is important in guiding treatment. Your doctor is likely to start with a health history and thorough physical examination.

Your doctor may then recommend:

Blood tests. A group of blood tests called liver function tests can be used to diagnose liver disease. Other blood tests can be done to look for specific liver problems or genetic conditions. A group of blood tests called liver function tests can be used to diagnose liver disease. Other blood tests can be done to look for specific liver problems or genetic conditions. Imaging tests. An ultrasound, CT scan and MRI can show liver damage. An ultrasound, CT scan and can show liver damage. Checking a tissue sample. Removing a tissue sample (biopsy) from your liver may help diagnose liver disease and look for signs of liver damage. A liver biopsy is most often done using a long needle inserted through the skin to extract a tissue sample that's sent to a lab for testing.

Treatment

Treatment for liver disease depends on your diagnosis. Some liver problems can be treated with lifestyle modifications, such as stopping alcohol use or losing weight, typically as part of a medical program that includes careful monitoring of liver function. Other liver problems may be treated with medications or may require surgery. Treatment for liver disease that causes or has led to liver failure may ultimately require a liver transplant. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. Email ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry

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Lifestyle and home remedies

Changing certain lifestyle habits can often help improve your liver health. If you've been diagnosed with liver disease, your doctor may recommend that you:

Drink alcohol sparingly, if at all.

Avoid red meat, trans fats, processed carbohydrates and foods with high-fructose corn syrup. Exercise 30 to 60 minutes around three to four times a week at a moderate intensity.

Cut calories by 500 to 1,000 calories daily, if you're overweight.

Alternative medicine

No alternative medicine therapies have been proved to treat liver disease. Some studies have indicated possible benefits, but further research is needed. On the other hand, some dietary and herbal supplements can harm your liver. More than a thousand medications and herbal products have been associated with liver damage, including:

Vitamin A

Ma-huang

Germander

Valerian

Mistletoe

Skullcap

Chaparral

Comfrey

Kava

Pennyroyal oil

To protect your liver, it's important to talk to your doctor about the potential risks before you take any complementary or alternative medicines.

Preparing for your appointment

You may be referred to a doctor who specializes in the liver (hepatologist).

What you can do

Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions, such as not eating solid food on the day before your appointment. such as not eating solid food on the day before your appointment. Write down your symptoms, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason why you scheduled the appointment. including any that may seem unrelated to the reason why you scheduled the appointment. Make a list of all your medications, vitamins and supplements.

vitamins and supplements. Write down your key medical information, including other conditions.

including other conditions. Write down key personal information, including any recent changes or stressors in your life. including any recent changes or stressors in your life. Ask a relative or friend to accompany you, to help you remember what the doctor says. to help you remember what the doctor says. Write down questions to ask your doctor.

Questions to ask your doctor

What's the most likely cause of my symptoms?

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What kinds of tests do I need? Do these tests require any special preparation?

Are my liver problems likely temporary or long lasting?

What treatments are available?

Should I stop taking certain medications or supplements?

Do I need to stop drinking alcohol?

I have other health conditions. How can I best manage these conditions together?

Are my children at risk for liver disease?

In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask other questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may leave time to go over points you want to spend more time on. You may be asked:

mayoclinic.org - Liver problems - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic

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