Liver Biopsy

Who does a Liver biopsy?

A Medical or Surgical Gastroenterologist or a General surgeon or a Radiologist can do Liver biopsy.

What is Liver test or Liver Enzyme Test?

Liver test is done to examine the proper liver functioning. Doctor asks for a Liver function test if a disease affecting the liver is suspected. When the liver is not functioning properly, it releases enzymes from the liver cells into the blood. These enzymes can be analyzed in blood and the values of liver enzymes are determined.

What are the conditions in which the Liver enzymes are elevated?

Cirrhosis of the Liver

Fatty Liver

Liver Cancer

Autoimmune Disorders

Toxic Levels of Chemicals or Drugs

Alcoholic Liver Disease

Viral Hepatitis

Obesity

Wilson's disease

Adrenal insufficiency

Celiac disease

Thyroid disorders

Muscle disorders

Non-Alcoholic Steato Hepatitis (NASH)

Hereditary hemochromatosis

Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency

Gallstones or Gallbladder Diseases

Diabetes

What are the liver enzymes which are tested for evaluating the normal functioning of the liver?

Albumin

Bilirubin

Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)

Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)

gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT)

Lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH), and

Prothrombin time (PT)

What are the dangers of Liver Biopsy?
The primary risk of liver biopsy is bleeding from the site of needle entry into the liver, although this occurs in less than 1% of patients.

Some of the other possible complications include the puncture of other organs, such as the kidney, lung or colon.