During your treatment, your healthcare team will perform a variety of tests to monitor your condition and the health of your liver. Read and ask questions about your lab tests until you understand their significance. Remember that sometimes the exact "number" is not as important as a comparison of values across several weeks or months. Use a calendar as a convenient place to record the results of your lab tests. Only you can see this information, and it can help you track your results over time.
Virus Detection Tests
These tests measure the amount of the hepatitis C virus in the blood or body tissue. This measurement is sometimes called the "viral load" and can be a sign of how well treatment is working.
Liver Function Tests
Liver function tests (LFTs) are the most commonly used way to check the health of the liver. Various blood tests look for chemicals in the body that are produced when the liver does its many jobs.
Liver Biopsy
In order to track the progression of the disease, your doctor may perform a liver biopsy. This is a procedure in which a tiny sample of tissue from the liver is removed and examined in a laboratory. A liver biopsy is an essential tool in monitoring hepatitis C—in fact it is the best way to measure the extent of liver damage. Liver biopsies are also important in ruling out any other forms of liver disease.
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