If your doctor suggests that you may have liver disease, you want to have a frank discussion regarding the possible risk factors to which you may have been exposed.These risk factors may include prescription or over-the-counter drug use,
• past blood transfusions,
• alcohol consumption,
• occupational exposure to blood products (i.e. through accidental needle sticks),

The doctor may look for signs of liver disease such as jaundice, a swollen abdomen or tenderness in the area of the liver.

Blood tests may be used to determine if your liver is functioning properly and to help discover what may be affecting your liver.

Imaging tests may be used to detect specific forms of liver disease or to determine the extent of scarring of the liver. These tests include
• Ultrasound or sonography,
• Computerized tomography (CT),
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
• Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP).