Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Apr 27: In an era of advanced diagnostics, medical experts stress that accurate diagnosis depends not on the number of tests conducted but on selecting the right ones at the right time, especially for early detection of liver-related conditions.

According to Dr Bimlesh Dhar Pandey, Director of Rheumatology at Fortis Hospital Noida, targeted investigations costing between Rs 3,700 and Rs 10,000 can be more effective than indiscriminate testing in identifying early liver damage.

He explained that while modern diagnostics make it easy to order multiple tests, meaningful diagnosis relies on clinical judgment. Conditions such as autoimmune disorders, viral hepatitis, and metabolic diseases often remain silent in the early stages, making timely but appropriate screening crucial.

Dr Pandey cautioned that tests like ANA may show positive results even in healthy individuals, while mild abnormalities in markers like ESR or CRP do not necessarily indicate disease. Unnecessary testing can lead to false positives, anxiety, overdiagnosis, and even unwarranted treatments.

Experts recommend that testing should be guided by symptoms rather than routine screening. Warning signs that may require investigation include persistent fatigue, unexplained joint pain with morning stiffness, skin rashes, recurrent fever, and signs of multi-organ involvement.

Highlighting liver health, he noted that diseases such as Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C can progress silently until advanced stages. Early screening through tests like liver function tests, viral hepatitis screening, ultrasound imaging, and autoimmune panels can help detect conditions when they are still manageable.

India is also witnessing a rise in lifestyle-related liver conditions, including Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), driven by poor diet, sedentary habits, and obesity. Early detection in such cases allows for effective intervention through lifestyle changes.

Dr Pandey also emphasised the importance of liver screening before initiating immunosuppressive therapies, as untreated viral infections may worsen during treatment.

He warned against unnecessary test panels, noting that they can increase healthcare costs and complicate diagnosis. “A positive lab report should never be interpreted in isolation but in the context of the patient’s overall clinical condition,” he said.

Experts conclude that a well-planned, symptom-based approach to testing not only ensures accurate diagnosis but also prevents complications, underscoring that precision, not quantity, is key to better healthcare outcomes.