Overview

It’s often found by accident while testing for something else. Up to 50% of people may not have any symptoms at the time of diagnosis. Early signs of the disease may show up on a blood test or imaging test. Images of bile ducts with PSC show certain distinctive features. A blood test may show high levels of alkaline phosphatase or certain antibodies that indicate an immune response in your bile ducts. White blood cell elevation is usually a sign of infection in the liver.

To confirm the disease, your healthcare provider may suggest a more specific test, such as a:

  • Liver function test. These blood tests look for high levels of particular liver enzymes. High levels of alkaline phosphatase may indicate PSC.
  • Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). This test uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to produce detailed pictures of the biliary tree (your liver, gallbladder and bile ducts). This is the first-line imaging test for PSC because it’s non-invasive and avoids radiation exposure. Occasionally, it might not reveal an early or mild case of the disease, and you might need another kind of imaging test.
Request an appointment

Advertisement