Esophageal Varices: Test and Diagnosis

Laboratory parameters of the 1st order – obligatory laboratory tests.

  • Small blood count [thrombocytopenia (lack of platelets); anemia (anemia)]
  • Liver parameters – alanine aminotransferase (ALT, GPT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST, GOT) [only mildly elevated or normal], glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH), gamma-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT, gamma-GT; GGT), alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin [bilirubin ↑]
  • CHE (cholinesterase) [CHE ↓, as a sign of liver synthesis disorder]
  • Coagulation parameters – INR (Quick) [INR ↑], antithrombin III (clotting factors) [AT-III ↓]
  • Albumin in serum – important protein (protein) [albumin ↓, as a sign of liver synthesis disturbance].

Laboratory parameters 2nd order – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, etc. – for differential diagnostic clarification.

  • Ammonia – liver detoxification performance parameter [ammonia ↑]
  • Hepatitis markers (laboratory parameters indicating liver inflammation), such as:
    • HCV antibodies – in the case of hepatitis C.
    • HBs-Ag, anti-HBc, anti-HBc IgM – in the presence of hepatitis B.
    • Anti-HAV IgM, anti-HAV IgG or HAV antigen detection – in the case of hepatitis A.