
Hepatitis C Support Group
Hepatitis C is a blood-borne viral disease which can cause liver inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread by blood-to-blood contact with an infected person's blood. Many people with HCV infection have no symptoms and are unaware of the need to seek treatment. Hepatitis C infects an estimated 150-200 million people worldwide.

deleted_user
I have had two specialists tell me that the liver biopsy is not always necessary. The first doctor is my Gastroenterologist and the second one is from a University that specializes in Hepatitis. The first doctor says it is not always necessary and that depending on the liver tested through a blood test says, it is sometimes to risky and may complicate the situation. The doctor at the University said they dont always use a liver biopsy because they do not use a lot of what they find in doing one and that the blood test may be enough. He wants to take a couple more blood test and see me before he makes this decision of a liver biopsy. Many here say the liver biopsy is a must to really see what damage is done to the liver and to decide what treatment to do. To demand a liver biopsy if one is not given. Is this what your doctors tell you that a liver biopsy is always a must for all with hepatitis c? Has anyone here done fine on treatment without the liver biopsy?
I am confused until I speak again with my doctor at the University if I should demand a liver biopsy if he suggests it is in my better interest not to. Any advice and personal experiences will be appreciated in helping with my decision when it comes to that time of making a choice to or not to do the liver biopsy.
I am confused until I speak again with my doctor at the University if I should demand a liver biopsy if he suggests it is in my better interest not to. Any advice and personal experiences will be appreciated in helping with my decision when it comes to that time of making a choice to or not to do the liver biopsy.
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and that it isnt necessarily accurate in that 6 different tissue samples could bring back 6 different results. he was gonna send me for a biopsy but changed his mind for that reason. instead, he's sending me for a fibrosure test or HA test, which is a blood test that he says is just as or more accurate than the biopsy and is non-invasive.
copy and paste these links and read their stats: http://www.mlwmagazine.com/story.asp?sectionCode=10&storyCode=2031121
http://www.comparative-hepatology.com/content/4/1/6
on that note, i'm no medic and bearing in mind that i'm still v new to hepc (dx sept 07) i have a lot to learn. i am learning tho and who better to learn from than those with experience? there are lotsa ppl in this community with a vast amount of knowledge, which has been gained from personal experience and, as far as i'm concerned, they should know. personally, i would listen to them b4 any doc cos they have lived it. its good you have the choice. here, we dont get a choice. our docs send us for whatever tests they deem necessary and we dont get a say in the matter. as you have that choice, i agree with tattman, its your life, not theirs. you gotta do whats best for you.
whatever you decide, good luck my friend and try not to worry too much. try to stay positive and keep smiling cos smiling does help to lighten the burden.
RynetteB
So, not true!
My ALT/AST were quite low/normal and that was part of the reason for the delay in my dx.
I still say that you should always get a biopsy to see what's happening in your liver. If you want to do that fibrosure test as well, if you want to compare (and some people do that) then by all means do that.
Ultimately you want to get as much info as possible.
Why no biopsy if you have type 2 or 3, I don't get it. I suppose because the tx is only 6months and the odds of clearing are very high, I guess it's OK.
Doing fine on tx has nothing to do with having a biopsy. I look on the biopsy as a snapshot of your liver at a point in time. From there, you can decide if you want to do tx or if you can afford to wait. How can you make a decision if you don't know if your liver is in bad shape or not? Can someone tell me how you can know your stage/grade for sure without the biopsy?