The most effective methods for examining the liver. How to quickly check the condition of the liver in a person at home How to check if the liver is in order

If similar symptoms appear, you need to go to a therapist or gastroenterologist. He will explain how to check the liver and give directions for tests.

What tests do you need to take to check the liver?

Liver test involves the delivery of blood tests - general, biochemical, PCR.

General blood analysis

Starting the examination, it is necessary to pass a blood sample for general clinical analysis to check the liver. KLA shows how many main blood components (leukocytes, erythrocytes, platelets, hemoglobin, lymphocytes, monocytes).

In case of liver damage, the KLA shows a reduced level of red blood cells, leukocytes and platelets.

Blood chemistry

These are the main tests for the liver, the scale. The decoding of the indicators is as follows:

... In adults, its normal level is 3.4-20 μmol / l.
... Its norm is 8.6 μmol / l. If it is exceeded, this indicates cirrhosis, problems with.
Alanine aminotransferase (AlAt,) shows the state of the liver tissue. This enzyme is involved in the exchange and synthesis of amino acids. The norm for men is 41 units / l, for women - 31 units / l. An increase in the level is manifested in heart failure, hepatitis, cirrhosis, pancreatitis and neoplasms in the liver.
Aspartate aminotransferase (AsAt, AST), like AlAt, is involved in metabolic processes and the interaction of amino acids. The normal indicator is 37 units / l for men, 31 units / l for women. With surgical interventions on the heart, myocardial infarction, pulmonary thrombosis, muscle injuries, hepatitis, metastases, the level of AsAt increases.
Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) has a function that improves amino acid metabolism. The norm for men is 49 units / l and 32 units / l for women. It increases with hepatitis, pancreatitis, cancer of the pancreas and liver.
Alkaline phosphatase breaks down phosphoric acid and normalizes its transport in the body. Normal values are 40-150 units / l. An increase is activated by a high content of thyroid hormones, a lack of phosphorus and calcium, it is observed in fractures and disorders of bone tissues, cancers, etc.

The average time for carrying out a biochemical analysis and obtaining results is 2-3 days.

Fibrotest

Doppler ultrasonography

The study is carried out with an ultrasound apparatus. The analysis consists in assessing the flow rate and volume of blood in the hepatic vessels.

It is performed on an empty stomach. If an ultrasound, MRI or other x-ray was previously performed, Doppler ultrasonography is prescribed three to five days later.

Before determining the state of blood vessels on Doppler ultrasound, you need to follow a diet (exclude foods that provoke flatulence), give up alcohol and physical / emotional overload.

Elastography

You can determine the condition of the liver by ultrasound -. Elastography is used to diagnose fibrosis. The examination takes 5 to 20 minutes. Although this type of ultrasound is considered safe, it is not recommended if the patient is under 18 years of age, pregnant women, and the presence of fluid in the abdomen, which may affect the reliability of the results.

Scintigraphy

To check the liver by scintigraphy, radioactive isotopes are injected through a vein. After they are absorbed by the liver, they are monitored by a gamma tomograph. Thanks to the method, the size and position of the organ and its blood supply are determined.

MRI and CT

Magnetic resonance imaging is done to check the liver for tumors and other conditions.

Computed tomography creates a three-dimensional image of the liver, in which even the smallest lesions can be seen.

Biopsy

Liver function tests

These are blood tests that allow you to check the functioning of the liver, the presence of damage and diseases, to determine at what stage of development they are.

Rosenthal-White dye test

It is possible to identify abnormalities in the work and condition of the liver (fibrosis, damage) by injecting intravenous dye bromsulfalein. It enters the liver, and then leaves together with. For the analysis on an empty stomach, a 5% solution is injected with the calculation of 5 mg per 1 kg of the patient's weight. After 3 minutes, blood is taken for analysis. The result is taken as 100%. Then the procedure is repeated after 45 minutes after the injection of the dye and the remaining percentage of the dye is calculated.

Usually the balance is no more than 5%, which indicates a negative result. If more than 6% remains, the result is positive.

Indocyanic test

The analysis is carried out by intravenous injection of indocyanine green dye. An aqueous solution of paint is injected through a vein in an amount of 0.25-0.5 mg per 1 kg. After 3 minutes, blood is taken, and after 20 minutes, another portion is taken to calculate the remaining paint. At the time of the second blood sampling, no more than 4% of Indocyan should remain.

The test is effective for detecting minor liver failure.

Galactose test

The examination method allows you to identify violations of carbohydrate metabolism. If there are any, galactose is excreted in the urine unchanged. After a blood test, its level should be less than 0.24 mmol / L or 43 mg / L. If the concentration is higher than this, liver pathology is present.

For the analysis, 40 g of galactose diluted in 200 ml of warm water are drunk on an empty stomach. Blood is taken for examination before admission and after 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 hours after admission.

Caffeine test

A person takes 400 mg of caffeine, after which his blood is examined. The normal absorption rate for caffeine is 60-160 ml / min. Blood is taken for analysis before taking caffeine, after an hour and every 2 hours throughout the day. A decrease in clearance of up to 80% can be traced in the violation of the process of liver functioning: acute inflammation, cirrhosis.

How to check your liver at home

You can use test strips to check your liver at home. Problems with this organ may be indicated by changes in well-being and appearance.

Specific symptoms

The liver does not have nerve endings, so pain will not help to know about problems with it. You need to pay attention to other symptoms:

unexplained persistent fatigue, apathy, weakness, trouble sleeping;
general intoxication of the body, manifested as a result of the fact that the liver does not have time to cleanse the blood of harmful substances;
accompanied by;
skin color and sclera;
persistent digestive problems (diarrhea, constipation);
pain on the right under the ribs.

Express tests

Rapid tests can be used to check the liver at home. They remind me of tests for pregnant women. To do the analysis, you need to moisten the strip with urine. The test reacts to abnormal urobilinogen and urobilinogen. If the level of at least one of the two pigments does not correspond to the required one, a reaction will appear.

If the test is positive for bilirubin, then liver damage is present.

When urobilinogen is abnormal, it does not necessarily indicate liver problems. This is a possible symptom of circulatory disorders. For constipation, the result may also be false. Therefore, if you identify excess urobilinogen using a strip, you should consult your doctor.

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To check the liver, the doctor will order tests first. Pay attention to the following indicators:

ALT and AST. These are enzymes that are found in very large quantities in the liver. When organ cells are destroyed, the level of these enzymes increases. The higher their rate when passing tests, the more global the damage to the organ. Usually ALT and AST rise at the same time. As a rule, this speaks of oncology or hepatitis.
Bilirubin. This is a component that is included in human bile. Its formation and excretion occurs regularly. If there are abnormalities in the liver, then bilirubin begins to accumulate in the blood, and this leads to jaundice. This result can have a variety of reasons - from low-risk conditions to serious diseases.
Prothrombin index. This index is an indicator of blood clotting, but it is often prescribed when examining the liver. It shows the work of blood vessels and veins, which plays an important role in the functioning of the organ under discussion.
Albumen. It is a protein that is produced by the liver and is very abundant in the blood. Decreased albumin levels indicate organ damage.
Alkaline phosphatase. It is an enzyme involved in the release of phosphoric acid. If the phosphatase index increases, then this may indicate tumors in the organ.
Analysis for antibodies to viral hepatitis antigens. The analysis is quite expensive, but effective, since in most cases, hepatitis is latent, which is a threat not only to the patient, but also to those around him.
In addition to analyzes, a number of additional studies are also carried out. Genetic studies, ultrasound of the liver and biliary tract, biopsy, magnetic resonance therapy, computed tomography, etc. are performed. Analyzes and survey indicators are evaluated together, because only an integrated approach to the study of the problem will give the most informative result.

Liver prophylaxis involves many activities. First of all, it is based on special principles of nutrition. To maintain the health of this vital organ, exclude or limit the intake of alcoholic beverages as much as possible.

Increase the amount of water you drink, ideally 2 liters per day. Do not resort to hungry diets, do not allow sudden jumps in weight. Limit your intake of fat, in the diet, they should be no more than 30%. The use of fiber - cereals, fruits, vegetables will be very effective.

Important: liver recovery after alcohol

For the prevention of various liver diseases, drugs are used. The main ones are:

Antral - cleanses the liver, normalizes appetite, reduces bilirubin, reduces the effect of toxins on liver cells;
Carsil - improves the functioning of the liver and gallbladder, normalizes fat metabolism, lowers the level of bilirubin, restores damaged cells;
Berlition - increases the content of glycogen in the liver, improves organ functions, stimulates cholesterol metabolism, normalizes carbohydrate and lipid metabolism;
Bongigar - improves the functioning of the liver, has a positive effect on many processes that occur in it;
Essentiale Forte - positively affects the functional state of the organ, preserves and restores the structure of hepatocytes, cleanses the liver;
Maksar - protects cells, normalizes metabolism in them, stimulates cell regeneration;
Legalon - helps the liver to break down lactic acid, binds free radicals, reduces inflammation;
Heptral - restores the organ, removes toxins, normalizes the level of bilirubin and the activity of alkaline phosphates;
Hepabene - actively restores the liver, normalizes the outflow of bile, has antioxidant and membrane stabilizing effects;
Galstena - has a choleretic, spasmodic and anti-inflammatory effect, prevents the formation of stones in the gallbladder.

Often, well-known folk remedies are used to prevent liver diseases. The most common ones are:

Conclusion The liver is an organ without which our existence is impossible. Therefore, it is worth taking care of it in every possible way and being grateful for the work and endurance. Take care of yourself, be attentive to your body, do not overload it and be healthy!

Liver diseases are much more common nowadays than, for example, 100 years ago. Many factors lead to the pathology of this organ - refined, fat-rich food, a sedentary lifestyle, taking many pharmaceuticals, sexual freedom, invasive cosmetic procedures and surgical procedures.

Despite the information availability, quite often there are neglected forms of diseases that are much less treatable and lead to irreversible changes in the organ.

What is the modern diagnosis of liver diseases based on? What steps need to be taken to make an accurate diagnosis?

Any diagnosis begins with the identification of symptoms characteristic of a particular disease. The problem is that different liver lesions give the same clinical picture, sometimes very blurred, so you just need to skip the initial stage. What symptoms should you pay attention to:

Discomfort or feeling of heaviness in the right hypochondrium. Since the liver does not have pain receptors, pain of varying intensity can occur only with significant stretching of the organ capsule.
Yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes due to the accumulation of bilirubin in them.
Change in the frequency of bowel movements, discoloration of feces.
Itching of the skin.

Liver diseases can cause a variety of disorders in other internal organs. Hence, many non-specific symptoms arise.

The nervous system reacts with insomnia or a change in the rhythm of sleep, decreased performance, emotional lability, memory impairment, etc.

With the progression of hepatocyte insufficiency, symptoms of intoxication may increase: decreased appetite, fever, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, and others. If any of the signs described above appear, you should consult with a specialist. Especially carefully you need to monitor your well-being during pregnancy.

In order to make the correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment, you need a certain algorithm - a sequence of studies. The following procedure is usually recommended:

general analysis of blood, urine;
blood chemistry;
identification of markers of viral hepatitis;
Ultrasound of the liver and abdominal organs;
fibrotest;
computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging;
liver biopsy.

General blood analysis

This quick and accessible analysis can show some of the changes that are taking place in the body. However, it is not specific for liver damage. By changing the number of leukocytes, one can judge the severity of the inflammatory process.

A decrease in the level of platelets indicates a disruption in the functioning of liver cells, which is more characteristic of viral hepatitis. The ESR indicator is the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, a non-specific indicator of changes in the body.

Normal blood count values are individual. They depend on age, gender, pregnancy. These can be found in the table of results in each laboratory.

This study includes more than 40 basic indicators of the internal state of the body. In the presence of symptoms of liver damage, it is important to pay attention to the following tests: ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, GGTP, bilirubin.

ALT and AST (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase) are intracellular enzymes, the maximum amount of which is found in the liver, cardiac muscles, skeletal muscles. They enter the bloodstream when the cell membrane is damaged.

At a rate of up to 41 U / L, ALT can significantly increase in viral, toxic hepatitis, liver cancer, and myocardial infarction. AST shows the maximum values for lesions of the cardiovascular system, toxic and chronic hepatitis.

It is not only the absolute figure of the indicator that is important, but also the ratio of 2 enzymes.

The predominance of ALT over AST is a sign of the destruction of hepatocytes.

Alkaline phosphatase is found in all human organs, but the highest concentration is found in the liver, bile ducts, and kidneys. An increase in this enzyme is a characteristic sign of a blockage in the bile duct. During pregnancy, the amount of alkaline phosphatase may exceed the physiological norm.

The intervals of normal GGTP values vary depending on the analysis technique.

It is worth remembering that there are no specific enzymes that accurately indicate liver damage, they can exceed the norm in physiological conditions (pregnancy), alcohol abuse, diseases of other organs, intense physical exertion.

All tests to check the liver

General diagnostics

There are many liver pathologies. These are both functional disorders and inflammatory processes. Diseases can affect not only the parenchyma, but also the bile ducts, blood vessels and related systems. What do you need to get your liver tested?

The advantages of the biochemical method are:

high efficiency of the selection of treatment methods;
painlessness and safety of the conducted research;
lack of negative effects;
low percentage of distortion of results.

Pain and heaviness in the upper abdomen
Nausea, decreased appetite;
Bitter taste in the mouth;
Change in the color of feces and urine, the skin turns yellow;
Vomiting of blood;
Bruising of the skin, nosebleeds;
Insomnia, fatigue, weakness;
Depressive state, increased irritability;
Jumps in weight;
Increased body temperature.

Very often, liver disease in the early stages is asymptomatic. Therefore, it is important to periodically check whether the liver is healthy. How to do it - read on ...

An interesting feature is the fact that liver tissue is devoid of pain receptors, and it simply does not hurt even with serious problems. Today I'm going to talk about the minimum amount of research that can help you get a clear picture of your liver health. These studies provide an answer to the question: "Is the destruction of the liver going?" Indeed, sometimes such dangerous diseases as cirrhosis and cancer can be completely asymptomatic in the early stages.

How to check your liver health

Biochemical analysis

Biochemical analysis allows you to find out how certain metabolic processes in the body proceed, in which the liver takes an important part.

To get reliable results when passing biochemical tests, it is important to observe the following rules:

1. The optimal time for delivery is in the morning. The analysis must be taken on an empty stomach, the last meal should be at least 8, but preferably 12 hours before the study.

2. The nature of the food can also affect the biochemistry data. If you are prescribed a blood test for liver enzymes, then at least a day (or better for three) it is important to limit the consumption of fatty, fried, salty, pickled foods.

3. It is important to completely eliminate alcohol in a few days. Otherwise, even a small amount of alcohol taken on the eve of blood sampling can distort the picture of the analysis.

4. Do not smoke before examining. The last cigarette, like the meal, must be smoked at least 8 hours before donating blood.

5. Intense physical activity can distort the result, therefore sports are excluded three days before the study (this rule does not apply to light exercise).

6. Of course, it is better to avoid before the examination and stressful anxiety, psycho-emotional overstrain, sleepless nights.

7. Drugs can influence the results of biochemistry. Therefore, it is better to exclude them (except for those that are necessary for health reasons). Even seemingly harmless vitamins can distort the final result.

These rules are highly desirable, but if you cannot completely eliminate all factors, it is important to at least inform your doctor about them.

What enzymes are surrendered?

The following enzymes are most commonly tested:

ALT is a marker of active inflammation and damage to liver cells,
AST - indirectly indicates that the liver cannot cope with work,
Bilirubin (direct and free) - indicates the severity of the pathological process in the liver,
PTI (prothrombin index) - its decrease also indicates a violation of liver function.

Additionally investigated:

Albumen,
Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) is a marker of alcoholic liver damage,
Alkaline phosphatase,
Alphafetoprotein (tumor marker)

Determination of antibodies to hepatitis

Today hepatitis is, if not an epidemic, then a very common disease. Therefore, if problems arise with the liver, it makes sense to exclude an infectious nature - hepatitis A, B or C.

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Lipidogram

With liver damage, blood levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoproteins often increase. This is due to the violation of metabolic processes in the body.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound examination is also included in the standard of examination of the liver and biliary tract. Ultrasound is done on an empty stomach, before the study, foods that cause fermentation in the digestive tract should be excluded from the diet.

Of particular importance is elastography- this study shows the degree of liver damage, determines the amount of fibrous tissue - connective fibers that are the result of the death of hepatocytes.

CT and MRI

If necessary, the doctor can prescribe a clarifying examination in the form of computed tomography or MRI.

Liver biopsy

This examination consists in taking material (liver) for research. It is done in cases where the above studies require a more detailed diagnosis.

In the presence of neoplasms;

With hepatitis of unknown origin;

With cirrhosis of the liver;

With autoimmune organ pathologies;

With an increase in the liver for an unclear reason.

Of course, a liver biopsy is not prescribed for everyone in a row - this is a complex analysis that requires surgical intervention. It is of a clarifying nature when the above studies cannot fully reveal the picture. published.

The liver is a very hardy organ. It is wear-resistant and performs its functions until the time when only 15% of the organ remains functional. That is why a person may not be aware of liver disease for a long time. It is worth being attentive to your body and, at the first changes and symptoms, go for an examination. If you do not know how to check the liver, we offer our article to help.

The first signs of liver disease

There are certain signs that organ pathologies are observed in the body. You need to go to the doctor if you find:

Pain and heaviness in the upper abdomen
Nausea, decreased appetite;
Bitter taste in the mouth;
Change in the color of feces and urine, the skin turns yellow;
Vomiting of blood;
Bruising of the skin, nosebleeds;
Insomnia, fatigue, weakness;
Depressive state, increased irritability;
Jumps in weight;
Increased body temperature.

Analyzes and research methods

To check the liver, the doctor will order tests first. Pay attention to the following indicators:

ALT and AST. These are enzymes that are found in very large quantities in the liver. When organ cells are destroyed, the level of these enzymes increases. The higher their rate when passing tests, the more global the damage to the organ. Usually ALT and AST rise at the same time. As a rule, this speaks of oncology or hepatitis.
Bilirubin. This is a component that is included in human bile. Its formation and excretion occurs regularly. If there are abnormalities in the liver, then bilirubin begins to accumulate in the blood, and this leads to jaundice. This result can have a variety of reasons - from low-risk conditions to serious diseases.
Prothrombin index. This index is an indicator of blood clotting, but it is often prescribed when examining the liver. It shows the work of blood vessels and veins, which plays an important role in the functioning of the organ under discussion.
Albumen. It is a protein that is produced by the liver and is very abundant in the blood. Decreased albumin levels indicate organ damage.
Alkaline phosphatase. It is an enzyme involved in the release of phosphoric acid. If the phosphatase index increases, then this may indicate tumors in the organ.
Analysis for antibodies to viral hepatitis antigens. The analysis is quite expensive, but effective, since in most cases, hepatitis is latent, which is a threat not only to the patient, but also to those around him.
In addition to analyzes, a number of additional studies are also carried out. Genetic studies, ultrasound of the liver and biliary tract, biopsy, magnetic resonance therapy, computed tomography, etc. are performed. Analyzes and survey indicators are evaluated together, because only an integrated approach to the study of the problem will give the most informative result.

Basic principles of liver disease prevention

Prevention of the liver with drugs

For the prevention of various liver diseases, drugs are used. The main ones are:

Antral - cleanses the liver, normalizes appetite, reduces bilirubin, reduces the effect of toxins on liver cells;
Carsil - improves the functioning of the liver and gallbladder, normalizes fat metabolism, lowers the level of bilirubin, restores damaged cells;
Berlition - increases the content of glycogen in the liver, improves organ functions, stimulates cholesterol metabolism, normalizes carbohydrate and lipid metabolism;
Bongigar - improves the functioning of the liver, has a positive effect on many processes that occur in it;
Essentiale Forte - positively affects the functional state of the organ, preserves and restores the structure of hepatocytes, cleanses the liver;
Maksar - protects cells, normalizes metabolism in them, stimulates cell regeneration;
Legalon - helps the liver to break down lactic acid, binds free radicals, reduces inflammation;
Heptral - restores the organ, removes toxins, normalizes the level of bilirubin and the activity of alkaline phosphates;
Hepabene - actively restores the liver, normalizes the outflow of bile, has antioxidant and membrane stabilizing effects;
Galstena - has a choleretic, spasmodic and anti-inflammatory effect, prevents the formation of stones in the gallbladder.

Prevention of the liver at home

Often, well-known folk remedies are used to prevent liver diseases. The most common ones are:

Conclusion
The liver is an organ without which our existence is impossible. Therefore, it is worth taking care of it in every possible way and being grateful for the work and endurance. Take care of yourself, be attentive to your body, do not overload it and be healthy!

In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of liver diseases among people of working age. Every year, more than one million people around the world become ill with them, and often pathology is detected at a stage when it is not possible to completely cure it.

A modern person does not always have time to visit a doctor and a full-fledged timely examination. That is why everyone needs to know how to check the liver at home quickly, this will allow you to recognize the disease at an early stage.

Symptoms

Symptoms of disease are not always easy to recognize, even by an experienced doctor. And of course, not everyone knows how to recognize liver disease. Liver diseases have a number of characteristic features:

Decreased appetite.
Increased fatigue.
Nausea and vomiting.
Pain in the right hypochondrium.
Enlargement of the abdomen.
Increased bleeding.
Digestive disorders.
Poor general health.
Hormonal problems.

Pain and bruising

The gland itself does not have pain receptors, so pain occurs due to the tension of its capsule, when the organ increases in size or inflammation spreads to its fibrous membrane. The pain is localized in the right hypochondrium, but in some cases it can be diffuse.

The character can be varied - from a feeling of discomfort to sharp pain attacks. The increase can be determined by palpation of the abdomen. Due to the increased size, its lower edge will extend beyond the right costal arch, which will be noticeable on palpation.

Most often this occurs with cirrhosis or acute infectious diseases, when other symptoms prevail over pain.

Bruising occurs due to the suppression of the functions of hepatocytes, as a result of which the process of hemostasis is disrupted, the walls of the vessels weaken. Bruises and bruises occur even with the slightest bruise, slight pressure and during sleep. It becomes difficult to stop bleeding even with a small cut. Wounds and scratches do not heal for a long time and periodically bleed.

Visual signs

One of the most characteristic signs of the pathology of this organ is a change in the color and turgor of the skin. Due to the fact that fat metabolism is disturbed, the skin becomes dry, flabby, various peeling appear, and there is a tendency to allergic rashes such as dermatitis and eczema.

In addition, spider veins and foci of hyperpigmentation are observed on the body. The appearance of a man takes on feminine features - fat is deposited on the thighs, the arms become thinner, the mammary glands enlarge, and the hairline becomes scarce.

How to check your liver at home

Not everyone knows how to properly check the liver at home. Many people believe that the function of this organ can only be investigated in a hospital.

However, carrying out simple procedures at home can be quite informative in order to suspect this disease in the human body.

To check the health of the liver, it is necessary to examine the skin. You need to inspect your skin visually, evaluate its color, elasticity, moisture, the presence of allergic foci.

Inspection should begin with the face, then go down. On the face, be sure to pay attention to the appearance of brown spots, deep wrinkles between the eyebrows, swelling, dark circles under the eyes. On the upper limbs, it is necessary to pay attention to the axillary region - whether there is darkening of the skin, thinning of the hairline.

Liver function at home can be checked by the presence of darkening of the skin, which is most often localized on the elbows, knees and the back of the hands. The abnormal function of the organ is indicated by bright red spots on the palmar surfaces of the hands.

The fact that the liver is sick, at home, can indicate the severity of the venous network on the abdomen. If the gland is unhealthy, then the veins are very pronounced and bulge above the surface of the skin. Another sign of the disease is an increase in the volume of the abdomen in a relatively short period of time, a feeling of fluid in the abdominal cavity, which will also be noticeable on palpation.

Hepatic purpura can have a different appearance and localization - from the smallest multiple pale pink spots to massive bright red lesions. Most often localized on the lower extremities.

Home tests

How to tell if your liver is healthy with a test?

Special test strips will help you check your liver at home. Their principle of action is similar to a pregnancy test. In this test, the strip must be placed in a container with urine for a certain time.

Special substances are applied to the strip that react to the increased content of certain pigments in the urine (bilirubin, urobilinogen). When interacting with them, the strip changes its color.

If the level of these elements is normal, then the reaction does not occur. This is a very simple and affordable way to find out at home if your liver is healthy.

Palpation

Palpation of the gland allows you to determine its size, density and structure. Normally, the lower edge of the organ does not go beyond the costal arch. It should be sharp or slightly rounded, soft, painless and sufficiently mobile.

The structure of a healthy organ is even, smooth, without seals.

If tenderness is observed on palpation in combination with a rounded edge, then this is a sign of an inflammatory process. This is common with viral hepatitis.
A bumpy, dense, uneven edge indicates echinococcosis or syphilis. The tubercles in this case are echinococcal bubbles or syphilitic hard chancres.
A very dense structure of the gland is observed with a cancerous lesion of the organ.
A dense margin combined with a tuberosity indicates cirrhosis. In this case, tuberosity is formed due to fibrous degeneration and disruption of the lobular structure of the gland.

Who treats and what tests need to be passed

Many do not know which specialist to turn to if they suspect a pathology of this organ. If you have complaints and symptoms, you should contact a therapist who will prescribe basic tests and instrumental studies.

This pathology is treated by a gastroenterologist or hepatologist. If the disease has an infectious etiology, then this patient is dealt with by an infectious disease doctor. If cancer is diagnosed, then an oncologist is taken for treatment. Depending on the characteristics of the disease, its course and complications, it may be necessary to consult other specialists.

The required minimum of analyzes and studies to assess the work of the gland are:

Complete blood count - you can often observe anemia,
General and biochemical urine analysis - albumin, bilirubin, urobilinogen,
Biochemical screening:
- AST and ALT are indicators of liver cell death. The more this indicator exceeds the norm, the more hepatocytes are destroyed,
- Bilirubin is a component of bile, which, in case of organ pathology, enters the bloodstream as a result of the destruction of hepatocytes, which gives the skin a yellow color,
- Prothrombin index - an indicator of blood clotting, which decreases with liver failure,
- Proteinogram - to assess the indicators of blood proteins,
Ultrasound examination (ultrasound) - allows you to assess the structure and size of the organ and the presence of any pathological formations (cysts, tumors) in it,

If a more detailed diagnosis is required, the doctor may prescribe additional studies:

Biopsy - allows you to identify abnormalities at the cellular level of the lesion. It is rarely used due to the risk of complications.
MRI is the safest and most painless procedure for examining the structure of an organ in detail.