Although you may first discuss symptoms with a family doctor, they’ll likely refer you to one or more specialists for the diagnosis and treatment of psoriasis and liver disease.
Liver diseaseHepatologists or gastroenterologists are the types of specialists who may diagnose liver disease. In many types of liver disease, such as MASLD, you may not feel any symptoms. If you do, they may include fatigue and discomfort or pain in the abdomen, particularly the upper right side.
To diagnose liver disease, your doctor will perform a physical exam and run a few tests. According to the American Liver Foundation, these may include:
Liver enzyme tests: These blood tests measure various enzyme levels, which can tell doctors if you he any liver damage. Some common liver enzymes include alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT).Liver protein tests: These blood tests measure certain proteins made in the liver, including albumin and globulin. The tests can show how well the liver is functioning.Bilirubin tests: These blood tests measure bilirubin, an enzyme that’s processed in the liver. High levels of it in the blood can mean the liver is damaged.Transient elastography: This is a special ultrasound test that measures liver stiffness, which indicates scarring (fibrosis).Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE): This imaging test combines ultrasound or MRI with a device that sends pulses of wes through your liver to measure stiffness.Your doctor may also cut a tiny sample from your liver for further testing. This is called a biopsy. Usually, a biopsy is only recommended if other tests indicate advanced liver disease or if it’s necessary to rule out cancer or other conditions.
PsoriasisIf you hen’t received an official diagnosis for your skin condition, a dermatologist is usually the type of doctor who will diagnose psoriasis. They’ll examine your skin for symptoms including:
areas of skin that appear red or pink on lighter skin or dark brown or purple on darker skin tonespatches of thick, itchy skinskin with silvery, gray-white scalesskin that is itchy, dry, cracked, or bleedingthickening, pits, or ridges in your nailsYour doctor will also ask about your medical history and other symptoms, such as:
pain, swelling, or stiffness in the jointsclose relatives with psoriasisrecent illnesses or stressful life eventsIn some cases, they may do a biopsy of the skin. This can confirm whether you he psoriasis and not another skin condition.