Test and Diagnosis of Liver Problems

Tests and procedures used to diagnose liver problems include:

• Blood tests. A group of blood tests called liver function tests can be used to diagnose liver problems. Other blood tests can be done to look for specific liver problems or inherited conditions that affect the liver.
• Imaging tests. Procedures that create pictures of your liver, such as computerized tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound, can reveal liver problems.
• Tests of liver tissue. A procedure to remove tissue from your liver (liver biopsy) may help in diagnosing liver problems. Liver biopsy is most often done using a long needle inserted through the skin to extract a tissue sample (needle biopsy). The tissue sample is sent to a laboratory where it can be examined under a microscope.