What Is Hepatic Steatosis?
7. How Is NAFLD Diagnosed?
The fact that NAFLD does not typically produce symptoms means that diagnosis typically occurs during diagnostic testing for other reasons. If the disease is suspected, the doctor usually orders additional tests for definitive diagnosis and to assess the severity. Blood labs and imaging tests, such as ultrasounds and magnetic resonance imaging, are common.
If the physician is unable to determine a diagnosis from these tests, a liver biopsy may be recommended. During a biopsy, a sample of the liver is collected and then analyzed in the lab for signs of inflammation or fibrosis.
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