What tests are done to diagnose hepatitis?
|
If you think you may have been exposed to hepatitis C, taking a test will put your mind at rest or, if the test is positive, allow you to start treatment early. GP surgeries, sexual health clinics,
genito-urinary medicine (GUM) clinics or drug treatment services all offer testing for hepatitis C. You should consider getting tested for hepatitis C if you're
worried you could have been infected or you fall into one of the groups at an increased risk of being infected. Hepatitis C often has no symptoms, so you may still be infected if you feel healthy. Some groups of people are at an increased risk of hepatitis C, including: If you continue to engage in high-risk activities, such as injecting drugs frequently, regular testing
may be recommended. Your doctor will be able to advise you about this. Hepatitis C is usually diagnosed using 2 blood tests: the antibody test and the PCR test. The results usually come back within 2 weeks. The antibody blood test determines
whether you have ever been exposed to the hepatitis C virus by testing for the presence of antibodies to the virus. Antibodies are produced by your immune system to fight germs. The test will not show a positive reaction for some months after infection because your body takes time to make these antibodies. If the test is negative, but you have symptoms or you may have been exposed to hepatitis C, you may be
advised to have the test again. A positive test indicates that you have been infected at some stage. It doesn't necessarily mean you are currently infected, as you may have since cleared the virus from your body. The only way to tell if you are currently infected is to have a second blood test, called a PCR test. The PCR testThe PCR blood test checks if the virus is still present by detecting whether it is reproducing inside your body. A positive test means your body has not fought off the virus and you are currently infected. Further testsIf you have an active hepatitis C infection, you will be referred to a specialist for further tests to check if your liver has been damaged. The tests you may have include:
The specialist can also talk to you about any treatment you may need. Read more about treating hepatitis C. Page last reviewed: 27 October 2021 Depending on the cause and how advanced the disease is, hepatitis typically is diagnosed with some combination of blood work, imaging tests, and liver biopsy. If viral hepatitis is suspected, blood tests are run to detect the presence of a specific hepatitis virus or for antibodies produced by the immune system to fight that virus. Blood tests to look for signs of liver damage may also be used to diagnose viral hepatitis, as well as the non-viral types. More extensive testing may be used to help fully diagnose and assess hepatitis of all types. The Five Types of Viral HepatitisLabs and TestsSymptoms that might prompt a healthcare provider to suspect a patient has hepatitis include flu-like or gastrointestinal symptoms, along with jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, or pale stools). These symptoms, plus a medical history and physical exam, are likely to result in the ordering of blood tests. Liver Function TestsThe blood can provide a great deal of information about how well the liver is working. A liver function test, or liver panel, is used to look for markers of liver disease caused by hepatitis, such as elevated bilirubin (a by-product of blood that's responsible for jaundice) and certain liver enzymes that help with essential functions. Normally, the liver keeps tight control of these enzymes. But when it's damaged, enzymes can escape into the blood where they can be detected in a small sample drawn by your healthcare practitioner. The four most common enzymes tested for when liver damage is suspected are:
In general, testing for elevated liver enzymes is a solid approach to diagnosing viral hepatitis, but there is one drawback: Although the results can determine if there is liver inflammation, or possibly damage, they can't reveal the cause—in other words, which hepatitis virus is behind the infection. Antibody TestsThe immune system makes two types of antibodies specific to individual viruses: As soon as the body identifies one, it produces IgM antibodies to fight that specific virus. Toward the end of infection, the body produces IgG antibodies that also are specific to the virus but function to provide future immunity. Tests exist for both IgM and IgG antibodies specific to three hepatitis viruses: hepatitis A (HAV), hepatitis B (HBV), and hepatitis C (HCV). John Fedele/Blend Images/Getty ImagesDirect Viral MeasuresIn addition to detecting antibodies for HBV and HCV, tests called polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, tests can be used to directly measure the amount of virus in the blood. ImagingAlthough imaging tests cannot detect a viral infection of the liver, certain ones can reveal inflammation, changes in size, and tumors that can be consequences of chronic infection or liver disease caused by hepatitis of any type.
BiopsyA liver biopsy is a section of tissue taken from the organ and evaluated under a microscope to look for identifying features disease. The most common type of liver biopsy is called a percutaneous biopsy, which involves inserting a hollow needle through the abdomen into the liver through which a sample of tissue can be extracted. This is an outpatient procedure, which means it doesn't require a hospital stay. Usually, only local anesthesia is necessary (to numb the area into which the needle will be inserted). However, a sedative can be used if needed. A Word From VerywellBecause the symptoms of hepatitis can be mild or mimic other diseases—if there are any symptoms at all—it can be tricky to diagnose. If you have any symptoms that you think might point to a liver problem—especially jaundice—see your healthcare provider. A simple blood test may be all that's necessary to determine if you have hepatitis and if you should be treated. Frequently Asked Questions
By Charles Daniel Thanks for your feedback! What lab values indicate hepatitis?A positive HBeAg indicates high levels of virus in the blood and a person is considered infectious. A negative HBeAg indicates very low to no virus in the blood and a person is usually considered less infectious; sometimes this can indicate a person has a mutant hepatitis B virus (see below).
What liver tests show hepatitis?Alanine transaminase (ALT) test.
This test may be performed to assess liver function, and/or to evaluate treatment of acute liver disease, such as hepatitis.
Do routine blood tests check for hepatitis?Many people think that because they've had a blood test, they will have automatically been tested for hepatitis B and hepatitis C and therefore don't have to worry. In most situations this is not the case.
|
