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Liver Service | Te Tai Tokerau (Northland) | Te Whatu Ora
Public Service, Gastroenterology & Hepatology (Liver)
Description
Formerly Northland DHB Liver Service
Te Whatu Ora Liver Service deals with disorders of the liver.
The liver is roughly the size of a football and is on your right side, just under your ribs. It stores vitamins, sugar and iron, which are used by cells in the body for energy. It clears the body of waste products and drugs. It produces substances that are used to help blood clot and aid the immune system and produces bile which aids in digestion.
Referral Expectations
Your GP will refer you to our Department if they are concerned that you have problems that require a specialist opinion regarding the diagnosis or treatment of the condition.
Waiting times for clinics range from 1-12 months depending on urgency, which is assessed from the letter we receive from your GP.
Before coming to our clinic, you may be asked to undergo further tests such as a fibroscan, blood tests, urine tests or a liver ultrasound. These tests will help determine how quickly you need to be seen and ensure you get as many answers as possible when you are seen. It is important that you have any tests done promptly to reduce delays in being seen at the liver clinic.
Clinic appointments with either the liver specialist or the liver nurse specialist, typically last 30 minutes for the first visit and 15 minutes for subsequent visits. A history of your symptoms will be taken, and you will undergo a physical examination. Please bring any medications that you are taking with you.
You may be referred for some of the following radiology tests, depending on your condition: ultrasound scan, CT scan or MRI. You may also be asked to come back at a later date for a liver biopsy.
Common Conditions / Procedures / Treatments
Hepatitis
Hepatitis
Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis
Haemochromatosis
Haemochromatosis
Fatty Liver
Fatty Liver
The best way to establish what type of liver disease is present and the extent of the disease, is a biopsy. It is usually performed by inserting a needle into the liver through the skin and taking a small sample of liver tissue. Examination of the sample under the microscope can demonstrate what damage or what type of disease is present. Before your doctor does this procedure, they will check whether or not you are at increased risk of bleeding by doing blood tests. Following the procedure, you will need to be monitored for several hours before you are discharged to go home. It is best to avoid strenuous activity for 2-3 days after a liver biopsy. Liver Biopsy (PDF, 118.9 KB)
The best way to establish what type of liver disease is present and the extent of the disease, is a biopsy. It is usually performed by inserting a needle into the liver through the skin and taking a small sample of liver tissue. Examination of the sample under the microscope can demonstrate what damage or what type of disease is present. Before your doctor does this procedure, they will check whether or not you are at increased risk of bleeding by doing blood tests. Following the procedure, you will need to be monitored for several hours before you are discharged to go home. It is best to avoid strenuous activity for 2-3 days after a liver biopsy. Liver Biopsy (PDF, 118.9 KB)
The best way to establish what type of liver disease is present and the extent of the disease, is a biopsy. It is usually performed by inserting a needle into the liver through the skin and taking a small sample of liver tissue. Examination of the sample under the microscope can demonstrate what damage or what type of disease is present. Before your doctor does this procedure, they will check whether or not you are at increased risk of bleeding by doing blood tests. Following the procedure, you will need to be monitored for several hours before you are discharged to go home. It is best to avoid strenuous activity for 2-3 days after a liver biopsy.
- Liver Biopsy (PDF, 118.9 KB)
Website
Contact Details
Whangārei Hospital
Northland
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Phone
(09) 430 4100 or 0800 454 837
Website
Hepatitis Clinical Nurse Specialist: (09) 430 4100 ext 7724
Maunu Road
Whangarei
Northland 0148
Street Address
Maunu Road
Whangārei
Northland 0148
Postal Address
Whangārei Hospital
Private Bag 9742
Whangārei 0148
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This page was last updated at 1:24PM on June 29, 2023. This information is reviewed and edited by Liver Service | Te Tai Tokerau (Northland) | Te Whatu Ora.