How is autoimmune hepatitis diagnosed?

How is autoimmune hepatitis diagnosed?

The symptoms of autoimmune hepatitis may be mild at first and are similar to the flu, so it may not be diagnosed immediately. The doctor will perform a physical examination of the patient and ask about the family medical history. The doctor may also order certain tests, including:

• A blood test to check for inflammation in the liver, to evaluate the patient’s liver function, and to check for antibodies associated with autoimmune hepatitis.
• Ultrasound of the liver. Ultrasound is a procedure that transmits high-frequency sound waves through body tissues. The echoes are recorded and transformed into video or photographic images of the inside of the body.
• If necessary, the doctor may also order a liver biopsy, the removal of a small piece of tissue from the liver to be analyzed in the lab for disease.