Alternate to Liver Biopsy - fibrotest and MRE

[zoeybabowee]

I have a discussion with my GI soon to discuss when to do treatment. I am in flux as to whether to wait or do treatment now as I have two young children to care for(1.8 and 3yrs). I know he will recommend a liver biopsy.  I read of two other alternative to liver biopsy that gives a pretty accurate reading.

1. Fibrotest
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110602121706.htm

2. MRE - not sure if this is available at my doc's office
http://hepatitiscnewdrugs.blogspot.com/2010/12/hepatitis-c-mre-non-invasive-test-for.html

Does anyone have any experience with this or opinions?

[48weeks]

Tug just go to the main landing page where it says Hepatits C Community on the right, to the left of that you will see an orange bar that says something like Post a Question, click on that and a page will open up where you can post a new question.  You will get a lot more feedback that way.

[tug31]

This was my first post and obviously i put it in the wrong place. Thanks

[48weeks]

You ask some good questions, but this post is ancient.  You'll get more thoughtful feedback if you post it as a new post.

[tug31]

It was discovered that i had HepC in 2000,i have had 3 liver biopsies since than with the latest in 2011. ..Three cores of liver tissue showing minimal activity 0-1/4,fibrosis 0/4 and no increase of stainable iron 0/4 and do my regular LFTests. I had a Fibrotest last month (Feb ) in which the test results were  0.87  or  Fibrosis as F4 which is very bad. Needless to say it was a shock , in June i am to have a FibroScam to see if the results can be confirmed . My Liver biopsy ( 3 ) / LFT'S can not be all wrong, can they?

[sunshine415]

hi, I am definitly yes on    the live biopsy test .I see a liver specialist ,besides the Gast.Dr. and my liver specialist is 'ALL' on the most accurate is the biopsy  I've had two ... and believe I'll be having another to begin  my meds. well at least I'm going to ask for another to see where I'm standing right now.... doesn't take long .good luck on your decisicion....

[indy531]

Liver bx was a piece of cake and gave the most accurate results, as far as I am concerned.

[nygirl7]

I'd go with the biopsy it's the most best tool available to us and it's not painful like you imagine it's going to be most of us have all had them and very few adverse reactions.

[willbb]

The quest for  accurate non - invasive tests is  ongoing ,and it seems many Hepatologists have differing opinions. There are many articles on the pluses and minusus of all fibrosis testing (fibrosure.MRE,Fibroscan and biopsy) All tests are prone to some % of error

.http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110602121706.htm


Imaging techniques such as ultrasound-based transient elastography (TE) and magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) are noninvasive procedures that measure liver stiffness. Prior studies have found TE to be up to 90% accurate in diagnosing cirrhosis, and 70%-80% accurate in detecting stage 2 to stage 4 fibrosis. Evaluations of MRE have shown up to 85% accuracy for detecting intermediate to severe fibrosis (F2-F4). Currently only MRE is approved for use in the U.S.

"Noninvasive diagnostics are more advantageous to the patient as there are no serious side effects and they may be more cost effective when compared to liver biopsy although this remains to be determined," Dr. Talwalkar concluded. "Fibrotest or elastography imaging are helpful to confirm cirrhosis or minimal to no fibrosis. Liver biopsy may still be necessary to determine stage of fibrosis in those patients where noninvasive techniques were indeterminate."

[pjhep80]

i dont know about that, both my liver biopsies said stage 2 grade 2 and my fibrosure blood test said the same thing...

[can-do-man]

Liver biopsy is by far the best, the fibrosure test is ok for showing either very little damage or late stage damage... Anything in between not so good.