He or she may also examine the patient's skin for small, spider-shaped clusters of red blood vessels that can arise when the liver is damaged. The Lab Work Myriad tests monitor the health and function of the liver. Many of these tests are done once a patient is known to have liver damage. Below are some of the lab tests that patients chronically infected with HCV, with no signs of liver damage, may encounter. The physician may monitor the patient's blood platelet count to ensure healthy levels.
Blood platelets help blood clot.
A persistent decrease in a patient's blood platelet count may indicate more advanced disease. A low blood platelet count increases the patient's risk of hemorrhage, or uncontrolled bleeding. When liver cells are damaged or die, they release more than normal amounts of certain enzymes into the blood stream. A blood test can reveal if these liver enzyme levels are normal or high. Although a high ALT level indicates potential liver damage, it is not a definitive marker, so the test is usually repeated.