Print Diagnosis Ultrasound of liver tumor Enlarge image Close Ultrasound of liver tumor Ultrasound of liver tumor An ultrasound uses sound waves to create an image. This ultrasound shows a noncancerous (benign) liver tumor. Liver biopsy Enlarge image Close Liver biopsy Liver biopsy A liver biopsy is a procedure to remove a small sample of liver tissue for laboratory testing. This procedure is commonly performed by inserting a thin needle through your skin and into your liver. Finding the cause and extent of liver damage is important in guiding treatment. Your doctor is likely to start with a health history and thorough physical examination. Your doctor may then recommend: Blood tests. A group of blood tests called liver function tests can be used to diagnose liver disease. Other blood tests can be done to look for specific liver problems or genetic conditions. Imaging tests. An ultrasound, CT scan and MRI can show liver damage. Checking a tissue sample. Removing a tissue sample (biopsy) from your liver may help diagnose liver disease and look for signs of liver damage. A liver biopsy is most often done using a long needle inserted through the skin to extract a tissue sample that's sent to a lab for testing. Care at Mayo Clinic Our caring team of Mayo Clinic experts can help you with your liver disease-related health concerns Start Here More InformationLiver disease care at Mayo ClinicCT scanLiver biopsyLiver function testsMRINeedle biopsyUltrasoundShow more related information TreatmentTreatment for liver disease depends on your diagnosis. Some liver problems can be treated with lifestyle modifications, such as stopping alcohol use or losing weight, typically as part of a medical program that includes careful monitoring of liver function. Other liver problems may be treated with medications or may require surgery. Treatment for liver disease that causes or has led to liver failure may ultimately require a liver transplant.More InformationLiver disease care at Mayo ClinicLiver transplant Request an appointment There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview. Email ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry Clinical trials Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition. Lifestyle and home remediesChanging certain lifestyle habits can often help improve your liver health. If you've been diagnosed with liver disease, your doctor may recommend that you: Drink alcohol sparingly, if at all. Avoid red meat, trans fats, processed carbohydrates and foods with high-fructose corn syrup. Exercise 30 to 60 minutes around three to four times a week at a moderate intensity. Cut calories by 500 to 1,000 calories daily, if you're overweight. Alternative medicineNo alternative medicine therapies have been proved to treat liver disease. Some studies have indicated possible benefits, but further research is needed. On the other hand, some dietary and herbal supplements can harm your liver. More than a thousand medications and herbal products have been associated with liver damage, including: Vitamin A Ma-huang Germander Valerian Mistletoe Skullcap Chaparral Comfrey Kava Pennyroyal oil To protect your liver, it's important to talk to your doctor about the potential risks before you take any complementary or alternative medicines. Preparing for your appointmentYou may be referred to a doctor who specializes in the liver (hepatologist). What you can do Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions, such as not eating solid food on the day before your appointment. Write down your symptoms, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason why you scheduled the appointment. Make a list of all your medications, vitamins and supplements. Write down your key medical information, including other conditions. Write down key personal information, including any recent changes or stressors in your life. Ask a relative or friend to accompany you, to help you remember what the doctor says. Write down questions to ask your doctor. Questions to ask your doctor What's the most likely cause of my symptoms? What kinds of tests do I need? Do these tests require any special preparation? Are my liver problems likely temporary or long lasting? What treatments are available? Should I stop taking certain medications or supplements? Do I need to stop drinking alcohol? I have other health conditions. How can I best manage these conditions together? Are my children at risk for liver disease? In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask other questions during your appointment. What to expect from your doctorYour doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may leave time to go over points you want to spend more time on. You may be asked: When did you first begin experiencing symptoms, and how severe are they? Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional? Does anything seem to improve your symptoms, or make them worse? Have you ever had your skin or eyes turn yellow? What medications and supplements do you take? How many days of the week do you drink alcohol? Do you have any tattoos? Does your job involve exposure to chemicals, blood or body fluids? Have you ever had a blood transfusion? Have you been told that you have had liver problems before? Has anyone in your family ever been diagnosed with liver disease? By Mayo Clinic Staff Liver disease care at Mayo Clinic Request an appointment Symptoms & causesDoctors & departments June 21, 2023 Print Show references Jameson JL, et al., eds. Approach to the patient with liver disease. In: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 20th ed. The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2018. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Accessed Dec. 23, 2019. The progression of liver disease. American Liver Foundation. https://liverfoundation.org/for-patients/about-the-liver/the-progression-of-liver-disease/. Accessed Dec. 20, 2019. AskMayoExpert. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (adult). Mayo Clinic. Accessed Dec. 20, 2019. Goldman L, et al., eds. Approach to the patient with liver disease. In: Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Dec. 23, 2019. Feldman M, et al. Hepatic drug metabolism and liver disease caused by drugs. In: Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management. 10th ed. Saunders Elsevier; 2016. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Dec. 23, 2019. AskMayoExpert. Alcoholic liver disease (adult). Mayo Clinic. Accessed Dec. 20, 2019. Alcohol and public health: Frequently asked questions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/faqs.htm. Accessed Dec. 20, 2019. Hepatitis A. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/liver-disease/viral-hepatitis/hepatitis-a. Accessed Dec. 20, 2019. Feldman M, et al. Liver disease caused by anesthetics, chemicals, toxins, and herbal preparations. In: Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management. 10th ed. Saunders Elsevier; 2016. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Dec. 23, 2019. Mundi MS, et al. Evolution of NAFLD and its management. Nutrition in Clinical Practice. 2019; doi:10.1002/ncp.10449. Ferri FF. Cirrhosis. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2020. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Dec. 23, 2019. Five things you should know about dietary supplements for hepatitis C. National Center for Complementary Integrative Health. https://nccih.nih.gov/health/tips/hepatitisC. Accessed Dec. 20, 2019. Babu AP, et al. Elastography in chronic liver disease: Modalities, techniques, limitations, and future directions. RadioGraphics. 2016; doi:10.1148/rg.2016160042. Hoodeshenas S, et al. Magnetic resonance elastography of liver-Current update. Topics in Magnetic Resonance Imaging. 2018; doi:10.1097/RMR.0000000000000177. Brown A. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. Nov. 14, 2019. Related Liver cysts: A cause of stomach pain? Liver problems The liver Associated Procedures CT scan Liver biopsy Liver function tests Liver transplant MRI Needle biopsy Ultrasound Show more associated procedures News from Mayo Clinic Engineering stem cells to treat liver disease Nov. 11, 2023, 12:00 p.m. CDT Science Saturday: Researchers elucidate details about the role of inflammation in liver regeneration March 04, 2023, 12:00 p.m. CDT Mayo Clinic Q and A: How to manage symptoms of liver disease July 10, 2022, 11:00 a.m. CDT Products & Services A Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital Edition Show more products and services from Mayo Clinic Liver diseaseSymptoms&causesDiagnosis&treatmentDoctors&departmentsCare atMayoClinic Advertisement Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. 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There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview. Email ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry