Liver warning signs need to be unraveled - what should you do if you find that your liver function is abnormal?

Author: Ye Qing, Chief Physician of Tianjin Third Central Hospital

Reviewer: Xiang Huiling, Chief Physician, Tianjin Third Central Hospital

During the physical examination season and the school entrance season, there will be a "small peak" of patients with liver function problems in the outpatient clinic. Holding the liver function test report in their hands, they anxiously ask the doctor: "Doctor, please take a look, why is my liver function abnormal?" "Doctor, do I need to take medicine?" "Doctor, is abnormal liver function contagious?"

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To be honest, based on the liver function test report in your hand, the doctor has no idea why your liver function is abnormal, let alone whether it is contagious or not... In fact, after seeing the liver function test report, the first thing the doctor needs to do is to determine the cause, that is, to check "why the liver function is abnormal" first.

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There are many reasons for abnormal liver function, the most common reasons are these...

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Of course, there are many other causes of liver damage, and sometimes a liver biopsy is even needed to clarify.

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You should be able to understand it now. Simply put, when your test report shows abnormal liver function, the hepatologist needs to examine you. First, the doctor has to ask: "Do you drink alcohol? Have you taken any medicines or health products recently? Has anyone else in your family had liver disease..." Next, the doctor will give you a list of tests to detect hepatitis markers, liver disease autoantibodies, ceruloplasmin, thyroid function, etc. Of course, which indicators to test depends on your age, gender, symptoms, signs, etc. After writing the test list, the doctor will also give you a list of ultrasound tests to see if there are any problems with imaging, because ultrasound examination can detect abnormal liver function caused by fatty liver, bile duct stones, etc.

After the cause of the disease is determined through the above methods, the next step is to discuss treatment.

Only by carrying out targeted treatment according to different causes of the disease can we both “cure the symptoms” and “cure the root cause”, fundamentally solve the problem and protect the liver.

I also have to remind you not to abuse drugs or even health supplements, as this will only increase the burden on the liver, which is like adding insult to injury.

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Well, friends, the above is what you need to do under the guidance of a doctor after discovering abnormal liver function. Please remember: scientific diagnosis and treatment, do not blindly follow, do not be anxious. Only by caring for liver health can you enjoy a better life!