What Type of Blood Tests Are Used for Cirrhosis of the Liver?
Cirrhosis is chronic liver disease characterized by irreversible liver damage, often caused by alcohol and viral hepatitis B and C. Blood tests are used to detect cirrhosis and determine its severity.
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Significance
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Blood tests determine the liver's level of functionality or abnormality, as the liver is responsible for detoxifying the blood, ensuring proper consistency and producing important proteins that affect the blood.
Hepatitis Blood Test
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Before treatment, it is crucial for cirrhosis patients to test for viral hepatitis. A blood test detects the hepatitis viral infection, and determines the type of hepatitis (A, B or C).
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Enzyme Tests
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Elevated levels of specific enzymes not only indicate liver damage, but may also indicate other liver conditions related to or caused by cirrhosis. Abnormal enzyme levels may indicate bile obstruction, hepatitis liver destruction or some forms of cancer stemming from cirrhosis.
Types of Enzymes
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The enzymes most significant to liver function blood tests for cirrhosis patients are aspartate transaminase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, lactic dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase.
Bilirubin and Albumin
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Concentrations of bilirubin and albumin are measured to indicate the level of liver damage. High levels of bilirubin (which measures bile excretion) and low levels of albumin (the bloodstream's main protein produced by the liver) imply severe cirrhosis damage.
Prothrombin Time Test
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A prothrombin time test is another way to assess cirrhosis liver damage. The more time is takes for the blood to clot, the worse the damage.
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