I had one done several months ago after getting a higher than normal ferritin level done. The ferritin continued to climb for a few weeks and he ordered it.

I did it with a "local" only, no "knock out" drugs. It hurt for a second but it was so fast.... just... poke...IN & OUT, done! I did ask to look at the specimin because I had seen some tissue examples on the internet & I wanted to compare the tissue color to what I had seen.

Then, you have to lay around about 4 hrs, but you can have family or a friend come back with you to alleviate the boredom. They have to monitor for bleeding, after the procedure.

If I have to do it again, and I may have to, I'll ask for a little bit of the drug they give that makes you "lala" without the sedating effect.

Good luck (my results came back as fibrosis with some scarring.
I felt fine then & continue to feel fine)

I too had one a few months ago. It wasn't as easy.. He actually bent the needle on the first try and took two more to get a good specimen, I have a really hard liver. or big ribs, Or it's the Alien Implant!?? The first wasn't terrible but by the third it hurt like hell.. and I only had a local too. If I need another one I'll ask for Something. But good luck, I'm sure you will have a better experience.. And it is important in determining the extent, if any, of the damage..

I had one in2005. going in I didn't feel anything cause they numbed it, but when it wore off ...wow, severe pain for hours. Needed Darvin just to be comfortable. Then I was told later by another Hemotoligist that I didn't need it , all evidence was there from the other tests they did. Well thanks... no scarring.

Hi all,
I am new to this forum.....and hemochromatosis....diagnosed Aug of 2010. What determines if you need a liver biopsy? I haven't had a doctor mention that to me.....all I am doing is phlebotomies right now....

Momon; I am not sure what it takes before they do one.. I had allot different things going on with fatty liver and enlarged liver. I think the dr was trying to determine how much damage may have been done.. thankfully none so far. It has been turned around by diet, loss of weight, quit all booze (beer). NO sex drugs or rock and roll!!! Ok rock and roll is ok just not too loud..... have a good day.

I had my liver biopsy in 1998. This was prior to widespread genetic testing for HH. After running the ferritin and iron panels, to confirm the HH the liver biopsy was required by the insurance company. I had no problem with it. They used a local and then inserted a needle that took a very small sample of my liver. The sample confirmed my liver was coated with iron. My insurance, a few years later, requested a genetic test, which also confirmed the HH. My Hemotologist recently told me that they no longer do liver biopsy's to confirm HH, only genetic testing, as per insurance companies. This may not be a good thing because in the genetic testing they are looking for any of the three know genes that cause HH. If you don't have any of those genes the insurance can say you don't have HH, but someone could have a currently unknown gene causing the HH. That could only be positively confirmed with a liver biopsy.

mike,
Back in 1998, I had a liver biopsy because the doctor at the time said the insurance company wouldn't cover my expenses unless I had a liver biopsy to diagnose HH even though a MRI of my liver showed that there were iron deposits.
I found out later that was not true. My serum ferritin was only 369. Another doctor told me that a liver bopsy should not be used to determine if there are iron deposits on the liver because iron deposits randomly. The biopsy could be negative depending where the sample was taken.
My understanding for a liver biospy is to determine how much damage has be done to the liver from the iron. I don't know the serum ferritin level used to determine if a biospy is warranted. Perhaps someone else can mention the level.
What are your serum ferritin levels?

I had a biopsy in December. My doctor had already determined that I had HH but wanted to order the biopsy to determine the level of iron in my liver and also to determine the amount of possible liver damage that I had. I was advised by my doctor, the biospy facility staff and the doctor that did the biospy that it would be uncomfortable (especially because the would be taking 2 samples). Well, I did ask for that nice little "med" that "takes the edge off" AND IT DID! On top of that, I had NO discomfort at all! I was out of the facility less than 2 hours after the procedure and just took it easy the rest of the day. Even afterwards it was only a little "stitch" feeling for a day. I know that everyone responds differently to this procedure, it can even give you "referred" shoulder pain due to the proximity of the nerves to the biopsy area. We found that I do have some scarring and fibrosis, but no cirrhosis! Liver biopsy should not be used to confirm HH, but it is a very helpful tool in discovering what if any damage the HH may have done to your liver.

This website will tell you just about everything you need to know about HH. www.irondisorders.org/hemochromatosis

I was diagnosed with HH 4-6 months before the biopsy, last yr. My liver biopsy was ordered because I had an earthshaking spike in my ferriitn level (we already knew my liver was enlarged). My needle biopsy was guided by ultrasound and I had an upper abdominal entry point (below my bra and just right of center/midline. Some biopsy's are done between the ribs. OUCH!!!

I refused a liver biopsy, the genetic test showed two copies of the C282Y mutation. I feel fine except for extreme fatique. My ferritin level is in the 1600 range. I know I need to do the blood draws. I guess my thought is this, if there is liver damage and I do not think that is the case, what in the blazes could they do to reverse it? NOTHING! So, why put myself through that risky procedure? I have read accounts where it is extremely painful and very risky. I am not willing to go down that road!

DKA,
I'm not putting a nail in my coffin!
I was diagnosed C282Y/C282Y also. I started with a ferritin of 4097 in May 2010. I started weekly phlebotomies immediately. I've had EXTREME fluctuations in my ferritin levels. I've had TWICE weekly phlebotomies "blood draws" for several months, after a few increases in my ferritin level. When one came back at 10,363, I had a liver biopsy to ck for liver damage. The procedure was uncomfortable, for 2 seconds, and was over. I was AWAKE for my procedure and had no post procedure problems. I do not have cirrhosis or hepatitis, or NASH. My heart is OK. I don't drink & I'm not diabetic, or jaundiced, nor do I have edema, etc... I do have some scarring with fibrosis.

You can see by many of my other posts (since June 2010) that I have almost ALWAYS felt fine, even with 2 phlebs p/week! I usually do take a nap. As of 2 weeks ago, I am down to 3100.

Maybe some of my extreme ferritins can be attributed to medication I had been on for 20 yrs (it was changed last yr to something which doesn't harm the liver) or maybe it can be attributed to the stress of caring for my Dad (stroke 1.5 yrs ago).

Regardless, I have "it" and I'm LIVING with it. I maintain a positive & proactive approach.

You might enjoy reading the following article:

http://www.ehow.com/about_6613684_definition-liver-fibrosis.html

Sorry everyone for my rantings above :(

I didn't realize I had already posted to the initial post.

Maybe I'm a little "moody" tonight. My Dad's girlfriend fell & broke her hip 2 weeks ago. We visited her tonight at the rehab ctr & she's progressing very well (she's 82)!

However, dying, funerals, & personal preferences for the "details" were discussed. I know the details for me & my family. And maybe I should have waited until I was in a better mindset before letting my fingers get started here. Again, I apologize.

Welcome to the group dka. You'll find valuable information from the members here.

ZZZzzzz, I am so sorry to hear about your families misfortunes. It is extremely stressful dealing with such things as well as our own issues. I personally think it is good to vent, and it helps if you have a caring ear or two that can relate to what you/we may be trying to deal with. So vent away. We have Really Big shoulders here. I hope things continue to get better. Mike if you think you may have damage, I suspected some so chose to get the biopsy, I am sure most folks had a better exp.. I have bad luck with medical crap. I went in for a simple "debrievment" (remove bone fragments from the knee via scope) wound up with a staph infection. so on and so on. take care all. Keep smilin ZZZZzzz

Thanks YR!! I feel better. I took my Dad to the casino, and won a little money. Dad didn't but, oh well.... maybe next time:)

ps... to the silent angels... thanks for the private "hugs". I appreciate it and needed it, too!