Autoimmune liver disease panel
Autoimmune Liver Disease Panel
An autoimmune liver disease panel is a medical test that is used to diagnose certain types of liver disorders caused by the body's immune system. This test looks at the presence or absence of specific proteins in the blood that are associated with autoimmune liver disease.
Preparation
No special preparation is needed for an autoimmune liver disease panel. In most cases, the test requires only a simple blood sample taken from a vein in your arm. You may be instructed to refrain from eating or drinking anything other than water for up to eight hours before the test.
Procedure
To take the test, a health care provider will draw blood from a vein in your arm using a syringe or vacuum-sealed tube. The sample of blood is then sent to a laboratory for analysis. The results of the test will indicate the presence or absence of certain proteins in the blood that are associated with autoimmune liver disease.
Types of Autoimmune Liver Disease
There are several types of autoimmune liver disease, including:
- Primary biliary cirrhosis
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- Autoimmune hepatitis
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis
Risks
Taking an autoimmune liver disease panel is a safe and painless procedure. There is no risk of infection or other complications from the procedure. There is also no risk of radiation exposure.
Why is an Autoimmune Liver Disease Panel Used?
An autoimmune liver disease panel is used to diagnose, monitor, and plan treatment for patients with an autoimmune liver disorder. It is also important for doctors to be able to distinguish between autoimmune liver disease and other types of liver disease. The results of the autoimmune liver disease panel can also help doctors rule out infectious or other non-autoimmune causes of liver disorders.
When is an Autoimmune Liver Disease Panel Ordered?
An autoimmune liver disease panel is typically ordered when a doctor suspects that a patient may have an autoimmune liver disorder. Common symptoms of autoimmune liver disease include fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), and ascites (fluid accumulation in the abdomen). Other tests, such as a liver biopsy, can also be used to diagnose autoimmune liver disease.