Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

Diagnosis

In making a diagnosis of primary biliary cirrhosis, your doctor will start by conducting a thorough physical examination and asking about your medical history, including any symptoms you have been experiencing. A series of blood tests, liver X-rays and in some cases, liver biopsy will be performed to make a definite diagnosis. During a liver 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