Hepatology is a branch of medicine that deals with diseases of the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts. The hepatologist has knowledge about their structure and functioning, and his task is to prevent, diagnose and, if necessary, quickly implement appropriate treatment.

Hepatologistspecializes in diseases of the liver, gall bladder and bile ducts. Education in the field of hepatology can be started by doctors who have the title of specialist or second degree specialization in all medical speci alties. Ashepatologyis not recognized as a separate specialization in Poland, gastroenterologists and infectious disease specialists (mainly viral hepatitis) are most often involved in liver diseases.

Hepatologist - what tests are ordered by a hepatologist?

People who, in the initial period, complain of problems with the gastrointestinal tract most often visit a hepatologist. They can be

  • constant constipation
  • diarrhea
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • heartburn
  • so-called blank bounce

and - which may clearly indicate problems with the liver and bile ducts - yellowing of the whites of the eyes, oral mucosa and skin, darker urine and a noticeably enlarged liver.

The hepatologist will conduct a detailed interview with the patient (you need to bring all tests performed so far), ask about previous diseases or conditions in the family. You definitely need to tell your doctor if a loved one suffers from chronic liver disease.

The hepatologist then orders tests to make a diagnosis. Most often it is a basic or extended blood count (including liver tests - ALT, AST, GGTP, LDH, bilirubin, cholesterol, ammonia, ferritin, alkaline phosphatase) and abdominal ultrasound. He can also refer to serological viral tests (including anti-HCV, anti-HAV, HBsAG), autoimmune tests (e.g. anti-nuclear or anti-LKM antibodies) and genetic tests (including confirming or excluding Wilson's disease) or a mutation in the so-called Gilbert's syndrome). He may also order a liver biopsy.

A hepatologist also deals with prophylaxis related to liver diseases, i.e.qualifies for preventive vaccinations, e.g. against hepatitis A and B. This especially applies to patients diagnosed with liver diseases or after liver transplantation.

Hepatologist - what diseases will a hepatologist diagnose?

The hepatologist has extensive knowledge of the structure and functioning of the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts, thanks to which he diagnoses and, if necessary, implements treatment tailored to the needs. This is to prevent complications of many diseases, which are completely curable when detected early. The list of diseases that a hepatologist deals with is quite long. Includes, among others :

  • hepatitis B
  • hepatitis C
  • acute hepatitis (e.g. drug-induced, toxic)
  • cirrhosis and related complications
  • alcoholic liver disease
  • autoimmune hepatitis
  • cholestatic diseases (e.g. extrahepatic cholestasis: including obstructive cholangitis, biliary obstruction)
  • metabolic diseases (including Wilson's disease, haemochromatosis)
  • non-alcoholic fatty liver
  • syndrome after cholecystectomy, i.e. after removal of the gallbladder
  • hemangiomas, cysts, i.e. benign changes in the liver
  • neoplastic diseases of the liver and bile ducts (including bile duct cancer, hepatocellular cancer, hepatoblastoma)
  • diseases related to the liver and bile ducts during pregnancy
  • acute and chronic liver diseases in children (e.g. infant or childhood cholestasis)
  • hepatic vein thrombosis (Buddha-Chiari syndrome)
  • cholelithiasis
  • bladder and biliary dyskinesia
  • hepatic encephalopathy (i.e. a neurological disorder that occurs as a result of liver dysfunction)

Hepatology - treatment methods that are used in hepatology

Treatment methods in the field of hepatology depend on the disease the doctor is dealing with. Some of them are simple in their course and a properly selected pharmacology is enough, others should be observed and repeated after a specified period of examination (e.g. benign changes in the liver, e.g. cysts).

However, there are also diseases that require rapid surgical intervention. The tasks of a hepatologist include qualification for surgery, assessment of the patient's he alth condition before surgery and postoperative management. This is to, inter alia, prevention of serious complications. The hepatologist, in collaboration with other specialists, deals withalso patients qualified for liver transplantation and transplant patients.

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