When hepatitis develops, patients are often thought to have infectious hepatitis or infectious mononucleosis when they actually have Wilson's Disease hepatitis. Any unexplained abnormal liver test should trigger thought about Wilson's Disease. The excess copper also accumulates in the central nervous system. From a neurology perspective, motor abnormalities which are not clearly and unequivocally explained by a particular diagnosis should prompt the neurologist to consider Wilson's Disease. Neurological abnormalities are almost always motor and not sensory disturbances.
Diagnosis is made by relatively simple tests which almost always make the diagnosis.
The tests can diagnose the disease in both symptomatic patients and people who show no signs of the disease. It is very important to diagnose Wilson's Disease as early as possible, since severe liver damage can occur before there are symptoms of the disease. Individuals with Wilson's Disease may falsely appear in excellent health. Blood ceruloplasmin, urine copper, eye test for Kayser Fleischer rings, and liver biopsies are used to make the diagnosis. This site provide extensive information about Wilson's Disease but does not provide medical advice.