Labs Show High Liver Enzyme, Hepatitis Test Negative. Scheduled For Bone Scan. Reason?

Posted on Sat, 18 May 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 18 May 2013 Answered on

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : I recently had blood work don't and found out I have a high liver enzyme. I then had additional blood work done for a hepatitis and it came out all negative. Now my doctor is scheduling me for a bone scan. why?

Answered by Dr. Joe Antony (2 hours later)

Hello,

Welcome to healthcare magic.

The high liver enzymes could indicate more serious conditions like primary or secondary involvement of the liver, due to diseases like cancer.

Hence, your doctor might have asked for a bone scan. However, bone scan should be done after simpler and common tests like an ultrasound scan of the abdomen. Bone scan should be used to diagnose a major disease of the bones and is a 2nd level scan.

Hope this helps,
Dr. Joe Antony, MD, consultant Radiologist.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E