This is usually made by taking a careful medical history, performing a physical examination,
arranging of blood tests and a liver biopsy.
People with AIH may have other autoimmune diseases at the time of diagnosis of AIH, before the diagnosis is made or after. Some of the conditions associated with autoimmune hepatitis include:
- thyroid disease (either over or under active)
- pernicious anaemia (a deficiency of vitamin B12)
- vitiligo (pale patches on the skin).
Testing for AIH
Liver function tests (LFTs) are blood tests that measure substances in the bloodstream that indicate that the liver is damaged.
Other blood tests used in AIH include those that identify immunoglobulins and autoantibodies.These are antibodies in the blood that react with the body’s own cells and include antinuclear antibodies (ANA) or smooth muscle antibodies (SMA). To assess the amount of liver damage, confirm the diagnosis and to exclude other causes of liver disease, a liver biopsy is usually done. In this procedure a fine hollow needle is passed throught the skin to the liver and a small sample of liver tissue is withdrawn.
This is usually done under local anaesthetic and may mean an overnight stay in hospital.