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Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Liver Disease

Diagnosis & Tests

How is the disease diagnosed?

A healthcare provider can determine whether a person's symptoms, medical history, and physical exam are consistent with liver disease. Splenomegaly, or an enlarged, firm liver, and other signs of liver disease may be found on examination. Many further tests may also be used to support the diagnosis. These include blood tests, such as:

liver function tests, which are blood tests that check a wide variety of liver enzymes and byproducts

a complete blood count, or CBC, which looks at the type and number of blood cells in the body

abdominal X-rays

ultrasounds, to show size of abdominal organs and the presence of masses

an upper GI study, which can detect abnormalities in the esophagus caused by liver disease

liver scans with radiotagged substances to show changes in the liver structure

ERCP, or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. A thin tube called an endoscope is used to view various structures in and around the liver.

abdominal CT scan and abdominal MRI, which provide more information about the liver structure and function

In some cases, the only way to definitively diagnosis the presence of certain liver diseases is by a liver biopsy. This procedure involves the removal of a small piece of liver tissue for examination under a microscope. Liver biopsies may have to be done repeatedly to see how the disease is progressing or responding to treatment.

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