blood tests in liver disease
Last reviewed 01/2018
A liver screen should include the following investigations:
- liver function tests - including gamma GT and total protein
- ethanol
- coagulation tests, including INR and APTT
- hepatitis serology - for A, B, and C
- viral screen, for CMV, EBV etc
- ferritin and total iron binding capacity
- alpha 1 antitrypsin
- immunoglobulins and protein electrophoresis
- autoantibody screen
- alpha-feto protein
- serum copper, ceruloplasmin, 24 hour copper
A full blood count may detect:
- anaemia due to gastrointestinal bleeding
- macrocytosis
- thrombocytopenia due to:
- the effects of alcohol on the bone marrow
- hypersplenism
- DIC