Blood tests for other conditions

HIV tests

You might be offered a test for HIV at the same time as other blood tests.

If you could have HIV, it is important to get tested so that you can be treated. HIV can also affect some liver conditions. For example, people with HIV are more at risk of becoming seriously ill from the hepatitis C virus.

HIV can be diagnosed using a blood test. The blood is usually taken from your arm, but sometimes it is a finger prick test. You can eat and drink as normal before the test.

Find out more about HIV on the NHS website

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Hba1c test for type 2 diabetes

The Hba1c test is used to diagnose and monitor type 2 diabetes. It measures sugar in your red blood cells. Because of the way sugar is stored in these cells, an Hba1c test will show your average sugar level for the last 2 -3 months. It can also pick up signs that you could be developing type 2 diabetes.

If you have fatty liver disease (MASLD or NAFLD) you have a higher risk of type 2 diabetes so you might have a Hba1c test.

The blood sample is usually taken from your arm. You can eat and drink as normal before the test. In some cases this is not the best test to check for diabetes. You might be asked to have a different test where you are not allowed to eat before the test. If you are not sure which test you are having, ask your medical team.

Find out more about liver disease and diabetes

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Lipid Profile test for cardiovascular disease

A lipid profile test looks at the levels of different types of fats in your blood.

If you have fatty liver disease you might be offered a lipid profile test to see if fat is also affecting your cardiovascular system and putting you at risk of things like heart disease.

The test is usually done using a blood sample taken from your arm. In most cases you can eat and drink as normal before the test, but check with your medical if you are unsure.

Find out more about cardiovascular disease on the NHS website

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Coeliac disease test

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition. It affects your digestive system and can have similar symptoms to some types of liver disease. You might have a coeliac test to rule out this as the cause.

The coeliac test is a blood test. Blood is usually taken from your arm. You can eat and drink as normal before the test.

The test will not be able to diagnose coeliac disease if you are on a gluten free diet. If you do not eat gluten, tell your medical team before you have the test. You may need to eat food containing gluten for a few weeks before having the test.

If the blood test shows you might have coeliac disease you will have other tests to confirm the diagnosis.

Find out more about coeliac disease on the NHS website

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Support for you

The British Liver Trust offers a range of support for people with a liver condition and those closest to them. This includes support groups and an online forum. Support for you.

You can also call or email our helpline. Our friendly team of specialist liver nurses cannot give you a diagnosis or interpret test results. But they can answer questions, offer support, or just listen.

Call the helpline on 0800 652 7330 or find out more here.

We also have lots of information about living with a liver condition:

• Liver blood tests (LFT)
• Tests for liver conditions
• Take our free online screener
• Liver conditions A to Z
• Useful words glossary
• Living with a liver condition
• Eating, drinking and keeping active
• Mental health

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Special thanks

We would like to thank everyone with lived experience of liver disease tests who helped with these pages. Also, Professor Stephen Ryder, consultant hepatologist at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS trust for clinical review.

Published: July 2025

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