Blood tests for specific liver conditions

Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT test)

An alpha-1 antitrypsin test is one of the tests used to diagnose a condition called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD).

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

The alpha-1 antitrypsin test alone cannot diagnose alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. The results of the test will be looked at alongside the results of other tests.

Find out more about alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency in adults

Find out more about alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency in children

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Caeruloplasmin test and copper tests

You might have a caeruloplasmin test to check for a condition called Wilson’s disease.

People with Wilson’s disease cannot process copper in the normal way. The caeruloplasmin test looks at the amount of a protein called caeruloplasmin in your blood. This protein moves copper around the body.

You might also have a blood test to look for copper in your blood or urine.

These tests cannot diagnose Wilson’s disease on their own. You will need to have other tests as well. Doctors will look at the results of all these tests together to make a diagnosis.

Find out more about Wilson’s disease

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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 the patients and doctors who helped up to create this information. Including Professor Stephen Ryder, consultant hepatologist at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS trust.

Published: August 2025

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