How To Determine If Someone Has Liver Cirrhosis

Liver cirrhosis is typically diagnosed through a combination of clinical evaluations and diagnostic tests, as early detection can be challenging due to the lack of specific biomarkers. While liver biopsy remains the gold standard for confirming cirrhosis, non-invasive methods such as liver stiffness measurement have become increasingly reliable in recent years. When liver stiffness values are significantly elevated, cirrhosis may be suspected, although this method can sometimes produce inaccurate results.

There are several key diagnostic criteria used to identify cirrhosis, depending on the type of medical assessment performed:

Imaging studies — These can reveal signs of cirrhosis or complications such as portal hypertension;

Endoscopic evaluation — This may detect esophageal or gastric varices, which are common in advanced liver disease;

Liver stiffness tests — Measurements obtained through techniques like FibroScan can indicate cirrhotic changes in liver tissue;

Biochemical blood tests — Low albumin levels (less than 35g/L) or prolonged prothrombin time (more than 3 seconds beyond normal) are often observed;

Complete blood count (CBC) — A platelet count below 100×10^9/L is frequently seen in cirrhotic patients.

In most cases, a diagnosis of cirrhosis is made when at least two of these indicators are present, and other potential causes have been ruled out. It's essential to consult with a healthcare provider for accurate diagnosis and appropriate management strategies.