What laboratory tests are commonly used to diagnose liver inflammation?

The diagnosis of liver inflammation often relies on specific laboratory tests that measure the presence of liver enzymes in the blood. Aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) are key enzymes that can indicate liver damage or inflammation when elevated levels are detected. These enzymes are released into the bloodstream when liver cells are injured, making them critical markers for assessing liver health.

In the context of diagnosing liver conditions, measuring the levels of AST and ALT provides valuable insights into liver inflammation. An increase in these enzyme levels typically signifies an underlying issue, which could be due to various causes such as viral hepatitis, fatty liver disease, or other liver conditions.

The other options do not directly assess liver inflammation. Liver biopsy and MRI may be used in certain scenarios to evaluate liver conditions, but they are not first-line tests specifically for detecting inflammation. Similarly, renal ultrasound, CT scans, blood pressure tests, and urine tests are not relevant for diagnosing liver inflammation. Therefore, AST and ALT serve as the most common and effective laboratory tests for evaluating liver health in the context of inflammation.