This scar tissue cannot perform the many functions of the liver. The symptoms of early liver damage depend on the cause of the damage. Both a medical history and physical exam are very important in the diagnosis of cirrhosis. The medical history helps your doctor determine possible causes of liver damage. The physical exam helps your doctor know the extent of damage to the liver.
Blood tests give information on how well the liver is working.
A liver biopsy may need to be done for precise diagnosis of liver damage. You can have a liver biopsy as an outpatient. If you have a biopsy, your skin will be numbed before a special needle is used to go through your skin and into your liver. The needle is used to get a small piece of liver tissue for tests. The first important step in treating cirrhosis is to remove the cause, if possible.