How is obstetric cholestasis diagnosed?
The diagnosis is suspected if you develop itch during pregnancy. A blood test can detect the raised level of bile acids and liver enzymes (chemicals) in the blood. Other blood tests may be taken to measure other liver functions and to rule out other causes of liver problems such as viral hepatitis. In some cases the itch develops a week or more before the blood test becomes abnormal. Therefore, if the first blood test is normal then another may be done a week or so later if the itch continues.
The diagnosis is confirmed if you have:
- itch that is not due to any other known cause (such as a skin disorder), and
- high levels of liver enzymes and/or bile salts in your blood that cannot be explained by any other liver disease such as viral hepatitis.
Both the itch and high level of liver enzymes and bile salts go away after the birth of the baby. A blood test done sometime after the baby is born can confirm this. This sometimes helps to confirm that the diagnosis was, in fact, obstetric cholestasis if there had been any doubt.
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Where to next?
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How is obstetric cholestasis diagnosed?
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Understanding the liver, bile and and bile ducts
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What is obstetric cholestasis?
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What causes obstetric cholestasis?
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What are the symptoms of obstetric cholestasis?
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Is obstetric cholestasis serious?
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What is the treatment for obstetric cholestasis?
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Further sources of information and help
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Contraception: The Coil
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Pregnancy and smoking
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What causes miscarriage?
