Autoimmune Hepatitis

Autoimmune Hepatitis

Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

Diagnosis

In making a diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis, your doctor will start by conducting a thorough physical examination and asking about your medical history, including any symptoms you have been experiencing.

• Blood Tests -- A series of blood tests will be conducted to detect any antibodies that indicate autoimmune hepatitis and liver injury. In addition, blood tests help to distinguish which type of hepatitis you have.

• Liver Biopsy -- Because diseases other than autoimmune hepatitis can give rise to these antibodies, a liver biopsy often is done to establish the diagnosis. During a biopsy, a small sample of tissue is removed from your liver using a thin needle. The tissue is prepared and stained in a laboratory for examination under a microscope.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated May 8, 2007