Thanks for posting this, Kramer! Even last year, when I asked my family doctor (and disease doctor a year before that) if there was any non-invasive tests he/they said no; the only way to know was biopsy. I was going to call them and ask them about the Fibroscan and even the Fibro blood test, which they never did on me, to see if it was available here. I guess you have to know exactly what you have to ask for without knowing what it is, ya know? ;)

I saw a video of a demonstration of the Fibroscan on youtube I believe. Reminds me of the ultrasound.

My mom contracted this via transfusion immediately after I was born ('79), then 3 or so yrs later (we believe) I got it through imitating her with her razor. She went through the 3 times a week Interferon in the 90's. It was terrible watching her go through that and of course it didn't work. She had one biopsy before and I think one after, so I guess it was still okay. They recently wanted her to do another biopsy, since she hasn't had one since the '90s, and she didn't do it. Maybe she will want to try this new device. I sure do!!!

-LoveEachOther

In 2010 I had the blood test Fibrosure and I came back stage 3 to 4. In 2012 I had a Fibroscan and it rated me so high, I was late stage cirrhosis!
Needless to say I was devastated but Dr. Wong at Toronto Western said it could be "off" and suggested a biopsy.
My Bx came back Grade A Cirrhosis which is early stage.
While any news of cirrhosis is nothing to jump up and down about, I am very happy to know I am just in early stages, liver compensating and have some time to wait for new drugs.
My experience with Fibroscan caused me a great deal of anxiety and stress and I'm glad I had the biopsy which is more in keeping with my Fibrosure and clinical presentation.

scores here:
http://i-base.info/guides/hepc/fibroscan-and-biomarkers

Kramer,

Can you shed some light for me on the general stages of the liver damage from the least to most, please? (I at least know there is fibrosis, then later cirrhosis, but I don't know the progression in terms of the letter and number system I see often). I'm almost a million percent sure that you have a reliable link.

Thank you kindly!

-LoveEachOther

Hi Love
here you go:
http://hepatitis.about.com/od/diagnosis/a/Metavir.htm
and Cirrhosis has different stages
Child Pugh
http://www.medicalcriteria.com/criteria/gas_liver.htm

Thank you, Kramer!

*hugs*

My hepatolgist had a fibroscan. I've posted this before but my fibroscan, bx, fibrosure, APRI tests all had different results. My scan was 17 so I kind of chose to believe it's wrong because I still drink. After reading the article and being reminded that 13 indicates cirrhosis my anxiety in unbearable...but the day didn't go very well.

i hate my typos.

What I really meant to say is that it's great news to have another tool. Biopsies are such a HUGE industry here so I think that's why it took so long.