The HepQuant DuO Test is a quantitative liver function test. It assesses cholate uptake, a liver specific function. Cholate is a naturally occurring substance that is cleared by the liver. Cholate uptake is a well-established process that reflects the health of liver cells.
Physicians may use HepQuant DuO to adjunctively help guide treatment decisions.
Defer or proceed with invasive procedures1
Prognosis for progression and adverse outcomes2
Monitor treatment
response3
One Drink + Two Blood Samples
Simple test administration. No special training is needed. The patient drinks juice containing cholate. Two blood samples are collected and sent to the HepQuant CLIA laboratory for analysis. The HepQuant DuO Test report provides actionable insights that add to other lab results and clinical assessments to guide treatment decisions and help doctors manage and monitor patients with chronic liver disease.
At the Clinic
Drink Tracer
Drink cholate in juice.
Natural substance, known clearance
Measure the non-radioactive isotope to assess liver health
Collect Samples
Collect blood at 20 and 60 minutes.
At the Lab
Analyze
The HepQuant CLIA lab analyzes the serum.
Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spec
Ultra-sensitive analytical tools to ensure accurate measurement
Take Action
Report
The Disease Severity Index and an estimate of liver shunt% aid in the assessment of liver health.
Help Guide Treatments
- Decide to proceed or delay invasive procedures
- Predict progression
- Monitor treatment effects
References:
- Hassanein T, Keaveny AP, Mantry P, Smith AD, McRae MP, Kittelson J, et al. Liver function and portal-systemic shunting quantified by the oral cholate challenge test and risk for large oesophageal varices. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2024; 60: 246–256. https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.18054
- Shiffman, M., Reddy, K.R., Leise, M.D., Qureshi, K., Smith, A.D., Helmke, S., Kittelson, J., McRae, M.P., Imperial, J.C., Everson, G.T. and (2025), Cholate Shunt, Oral Cholate Challenge and Endoscopic Lesions of Portal Hypertension: The SHUNT-V Study. Aliment Pharmacol Ther, 61: 75-87. https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.18386.
- Kittelson, J., McRae M.P., Everson, G.T., Measuring the risk of clinical adverse events (RISK ACE) by quantifying liver function: A patient-centric model, European Journal of Internal Medicine, Volume 132, 2025, Pages 160-163, ISSN 0953-6205, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejim.2024.11.029.
HepQuant DuO is a Laboratory Developed Test (LDT). This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by HepQuant, LLC in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. This test has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.