Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsReferralHepatic System OrgansWhat Does a Hepatologist Do?Connection With GastroenterologyDo You Need a Referral?Getting a Referral
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Referral
Hepatic System Organs
What Does a Hepatologist Do?
Connection With Gastroenterology
Do You Need a Referral?
Getting a Referral
Hepatology is the study of liver disease and related conditions. Ahepatologistis a liver doctor, a specialist who diagnoses and treats diseases related to the liver (hepatic disease). You may see a liver specialist for diseases including cirrhosis, fatty liver disease, or hepatitis.This type of healthcare provider will do tests to check your liver health and help create a treatment plan.
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Why Would Someone Be Referred to Hepatology?
You’ll be referred to hepatology if your healthcare provider is concerned about your liver function. This can happen after a blood test shows that your liver function is abnormal or after a diagnosis like jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Hepatologists treat many conditions, including:
Hepatology primarily focuses on the liver. The liver is incredibly important and has more than 500 functions in your body, including cleaning your blood and regulating chemical levels in your blood.
A hepatologist is a liver specialist. As such, they can help treat liver disease and provide knowledge that general practitioners may not have. When you get to a hepatology appointment, your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and general health.
Procedures
Oftentimes, a hepatologist will order more testing to get a picture of your liver health. Common tests include:
How Are Gastroenterology and Hepatology Connected?
Agastroenterologistis a healthcare provider who studies the digestive tract, the system that moves food from your esophagus to your anus. The liver and hepatic system are part of the digestive tract. So, hepatology is a subspecialty under gastroenterology.
Gastroenterology vs HepatologySpecialist appointments can be hard to find. If you don’t have a hepatologist near you, ask the healthcare provider referring you if you can see a gastroenterologist who also has knowledge of the hepatic system.
Gastroenterology vs Hepatology
Specialist appointments can be hard to find. If you don’t have a hepatologist near you, ask the healthcare provider referring you if you can see a gastroenterologist who also has knowledge of the hepatic system.
Usually, you see a hepatologist after another healthcare provider has referred you. Some medical systems and insurance companies require a referral, while others do not. If you’re not feeling well or are concerned about your liver health, your first step is to see a primary care provider. They can order basic blood work to look at liver function and let you know whether to see hepatology.
Next Steps
Once you’ve been referred to hepatology, you’ll get an appointment. Since liver issues can progress quickly, it’s important to get an appointment as soon as possible. At your appointment, ask your hepatologist when you will see them again and what treatment and lifestyle changes you can make in the meantime.
Summary
Hepatology is the study of the liver and surrounding organs, like the bile ducts. You may be referred to a hepatologist if routine bloodwork shows that your liver function is abnormal or if you’re experiencing signs of liver distress, including jaundice. At the hepatology appointment, a healthcare provider will ask about your health and likely order imaging, including more blood tests, ultrasound, and possibly a liver biopsy. The additional information from these tests will help the healthcare provider make a diagnosis and create a treatment plan that will work for you.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Liver disease.Mount Sinai.General hepatology for liver disease.Hopkins Medicine.Liver anatomy and function.University of Pittsburgh Medical School.What to expect at the center for liver care.Coreyell Health.Gastroenterology vs hepatology: what’s the difference?
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Liver disease.Mount Sinai.General hepatology for liver disease.Hopkins Medicine.Liver anatomy and function.University of Pittsburgh Medical School.What to expect at the center for liver care.Coreyell Health.Gastroenterology vs hepatology: what’s the difference?
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Liver disease.Mount Sinai.General hepatology for liver disease.Hopkins Medicine.Liver anatomy and function.University of Pittsburgh Medical School.What to expect at the center for liver care.Coreyell Health.Gastroenterology vs hepatology: what’s the difference?
MedlinePlus.Liver disease.
Mount Sinai.General hepatology for liver disease.
Hopkins Medicine.Liver anatomy and function.
University of Pittsburgh Medical School.What to expect at the center for liver care.
Coreyell Health.Gastroenterology vs hepatology: what’s the difference?
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