‘Traffic lights’ show hidden liver damage

Published on 30/08/2012 01:30

SCIENTISTS have devised a new “traffic light” blood test that can reveal hidden liver damage caused by drinking.

The test, which can be delivered by GPs, could see thousands of patients diagnosed early with liver problems.

The Southampton Traffic Light test predicts a patient’s likelihood of developing liver scarring. If a patient gets a green score they are highly unlikely to die from liver disease over the next five years, amber means they may have liver scarring and red means they most likely do.

Many people have no idea they have liver failure until it is too late. The research results are published in the British Journal of General Practice.