Question 1

What is drug-induced liver injury?

Accepted Answer

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is liver damage caused by medications, supplements, or herbal products. It occurs when drugs like acetaminophen, certain antibiotics, statins, or anti-seizure medications accumulate and become toxic to liver cells. The Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) test is the most important test for detecting drug-induced liver injury because elevated AST levels indicate active liver cell damage.

Question 2

What causes drug-induced liver injury?

Accepted Answer

Drug-induced liver injury is caused by medications, dietary supplements, or herbal products that become toxic to liver cells. Common culprits include acetaminophen (especially in high doses or with alcohol), antibiotics like amoxicillin-clavulanate and isoniazid, cholesterol-lowering statins, anti-seizure medications like valproate, and even some herbal supplements. The liver processes these substances, but when overwhelmed or when certain drugs accumulate, they damage liver cells directly or trigger immune responses that attack the liver. Even common over-the-counter pain relievers can cause serious liver damage when taken in excess or combined with alcohol.

Question 3

What is the best test for drug-induced liver injury?

Accepted Answer

The Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) test is the most important test for drug-induced liver injury because it directly measures liver enzyme levels that spike when liver cells are damaged. When medications harm your liver, damaged cells release AST into your bloodstream, making elevated levels an early warning sign of liver injury. This test is essential for monitoring anyone taking medications known to affect the liver, such as statins, certain antibiotics, or acetaminophen. Your doctor typically orders AST along with other liver enzyme tests like ALT to assess the extent of damage and determine whether you need to adjust or stop your medication immediately.

Question 4

When should I get tested for drug-induced liver injury?

Accepted Answer

You should get tested if you are taking medications known to affect the liver, especially statins, antibiotics, anti-seizure drugs, or high doses of acetaminophen. Testing is crucial before starting these medications to establish baseline levels, then periodically during treatment as recommended by your doctor. Get tested immediately if you develop symptoms like unusual fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain on the right side, dark urine, pale stools, or yellowing of your skin or eyes (jaundice). Even if you feel fine, regular monitoring is important because liver damage often occurs silently before symptoms appear.

Question 5

What are the symptoms of drug-induced liver injury?

Accepted Answer

Symptoms of drug-induced liver injury include persistent fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain or discomfort in the upper right side where your liver sits. As damage progresses, you might notice jaundice (yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes), dark-colored urine that looks like tea or cola, and pale or clay-colored stools. Some people experience itchy skin, fever, or unexplained weight loss. The concerning aspect is that many people have no symptoms at all in the early stages, which is why blood testing is so important when taking medications that can affect the liver.

Question 6

Who is at risk for drug-induced liver injury?

Accepted Answer

People at higher risk include those taking multiple medications, especially combinations that strain the liver, and anyone taking high doses of acetaminophen or drinking alcohol while on medication. Your risk increases if you are over 60, female, have pre-existing liver disease, or have a history of drug-induced liver problems. People with genetic variations affecting how the liver processes certain drugs, those with poor nutrition or obesity, and individuals with chronic conditions requiring long-term medication use face elevated risk. Taking herbal supplements alongside prescription medications can also increase risk because many herbs interact with liver enzymes that process drugs.

Question 7

What happens if drug-induced liver injury is left untreated?

Accepted Answer

Untreated drug-induced liver injury can progress from mild inflammation to severe and potentially permanent liver damage. Continuing the harmful medication allows ongoing destruction of liver cells, which can lead to acute liver failure requiring emergency hospitalization or even liver transplantation. Chronic damage can result in cirrhosis (permanent scarring), which impairs your liver's ability to filter toxins, produce proteins, and perform other vital functions. In the most severe cases, untreated drug-induced liver injury can be fatal. Early detection through blood testing and prompt discontinuation of the offending medication are critical to prevent progression and allow your liver to heal, as the liver has remarkable regenerative capacity when the harmful agent is removed quickly.

Question 8

Can drug-induced liver injury be diagnosed with a blood test?

Accepted Answer

Yes, drug-induced liver injury is primarily diagnosed through blood tests that measure liver enzymes like AST and ALT. These tests detect elevated enzyme levels that indicate liver cell damage, with the pattern of elevation helping doctors distinguish drug-induced injury from other liver conditions. Blood tests also measure bilirubin (which causes jaundice when elevated), alkaline phosphatase, and clotting factors to assess the severity of liver damage. While imaging tests like ultrasound or CT scans can show structural changes, and liver biopsy can confirm the diagnosis in unclear cases, blood tests remain the first and most important diagnostic tool because they detect liver injury early, are non-invasive, and can be repeated frequently to monitor recovery.

Question 9

How is drug-induced liver injury treated?

Accepted Answer

Treatment for drug-induced liver injury begins with immediately stopping the medication causing the damage, which allows the liver to begin healing naturally. Your doctor may prescribe N-acetylcysteine as an antidote specifically for acetaminophen overdose, as it helps prevent further liver damage when given promptly. Supportive care includes staying hydrated, avoiding alcohol completely, and steering clear of other medications that stress the liver. In severe cases requiring hospitalization, treatment focuses on managing complications like fluid accumulation, bleeding disorders, or confusion from toxin buildup. Most people recover fully once the harmful drug is discontinued, but severe cases may require liver transplantation if acute liver failure develops.

Question 10

How can I prevent drug-induced liver injury?

Accepted Answer

Prevent drug-induced liver injury by never exceeding recommended doses of any medication, especially acetaminophen, which should not exceed 3,000-4,000 mg daily for adults. Always inform your doctor and pharmacist about all medications, supplements, and herbal products you take to avoid dangerous interactions. Avoid drinking alcohol when taking medications that affect the liver, and get regular blood tests to monitor liver enzymes if you are on long-term medication known to impact liver function. Read medication labels carefully, as acetaminophen appears in many combination cold and pain products, making accidental overdose common. Work with your healthcare provider to use the lowest effective doses and explore alternative medications if you have risk factors for liver problems.

Question 11

What can I do at home to support liver health while on medications?

Accepted Answer

Support your liver at home by staying well-hydrated with water, which helps your liver flush out toxins more efficiently. Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins while limiting processed foods, saturated fats, and added sugars. Avoid alcohol completely when taking medications that affect the liver, as alcohol significantly increases the risk of liver damage. Maintain a healthy weight through regular exercise, as obesity stresses the liver. Consider milk thistle supplements only after consulting your doctor, as some supplements can interact with medications. Most importantly, keep a written list of all your medications and their doses, never share prescription medications, and dispose of expired drugs properly to prevent accidental misuse.

Question 12

How’s this work?

Accepted Answer

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.Long story short:
            
                In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want.
                If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test.
                Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout.
                If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want.
                When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system.
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Question 13

How do I know which test to get?

Accepted Answer

In the test options, find the test you want.
            If you’re not sure which test to get, we can lend a hand in finding the right option.
            Just text or call us at 754-799-7833, email us at support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you. We've got your back and reply quickly.

Question 14

When will my lab results be available?

Accepted Answer

Most test results will be available within 1–3 business days. Once they're ready, we'll send an email and text message to let you know.
            After your blood draw, just hang tight and don't worry – we'll keep you updated and in the loop!
            If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you.

Question 15

Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you.
            Just reach out to us via text at 754-799-7833 or shoot us an email at
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            Our awesome team will jump right in and make sure everything is sorted out and accurate for you.
            There are no changes necessary if your address is wrong on the requisition though. We don’t mail anything out.
            Our lab requires an address to be listed to generate an order.

Question 16

Do you accept health insurance?

Accepted Answer

Only HSA & FSA is accepted.
            Our services are strictly self-pay and cannot be submitted to your health insurance provider except for Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts.
            This policy applies to all insurance companies, including federal health insurance programs like Medicare.
            If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.

Question 17

Can I cancel my order?

Accepted Answer

Yes.
            We get it – sometimes your needs change.
            As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order.
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            You can read more about our cancellation policy here.

Question 18

How can I find a lab location near me?

Accepted Answer

During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached!
            You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp).
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            If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

Drug-Induced Liver Injury Blood Test

What is Drug-induced liver injury?

What causes drug-induced liver injury?

What is the best test for drug-induced liver injury?

When should I get tested for drug-induced liver injury?

References

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