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    Diagnosis

    Tests for alcoholic liver damage
    If your doctor suspects you have liver damage you may be sent to see a liver specialist (hepatologist) or a digestive disease specialist (gastroenterologist) for further tests. These tests may include:

    • blood tests, which among other things measure liver function and damage (liver function tests).

    • scanning your liver with either an ultrasound, computerised tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.

    • performing a liver biopsy, in which a tiny piece of the liver is taken to be looked at under a microscope. A fine hollow needle is passed through the skin into the liver and a small sample is withdrawn. The test is usually done under local anaesthetic and may mean an overnight stay in hospital, although most people are allowed home later the same day if they live close by.

    • an endoscopy, in which a thin tube containing a tiny camera is passed down your gullet(oesophagus) and into your stomach. This is to check for extra veins in the oesophagus or stomach (varices) which may rupture and bleed spontaneously.