Fibrosure vs Biopsy

[ellissg]

MOEYMITT:

I an aware that the biopsy is the sure way to gage the stage of fibrosis. However in your case, you will have had both and I am very interested in any differences in the results.

Please post this information after your biopsy results.

Thanks, Steve

[Moeymitt]

Yes, I will let you know as soon as I can find a doctor who will do a bx. I meet with a new doc on monday, hopefully he will be able to work with me. I went today to the doctor I have seen and asked for a CT scan he said no. It made be sad and mad. What is up with that? are they afraid they are going to look bad to the insurance comp if they order there quota of test? I asked him why not and he didn't think it was necessary (I have lots of pain in RUQ) onward and upward, we will see what doc number 3 says. So, I will post when I get bx report compared to bloodtest.

[Nimzovich]

This year I had a liver biopsy and the Fibrosure blood test 6 weeks later. They match on stage (F3), but are a bit different on grade ("Mild to moderate" vs. "Severe").

BIOPSY
------
Sections of the liver biopsy demonstrate a sample of liver tissue with approximately 10 intact portal tracts. There are normal appearing interlobular bile ducts in most portal tracts. Chronic inflammation is present in most portal tracts, with predominantly lymphocytes in the infiltrate. Interface hepatitis is focally present in most portal tracts. Lobular inflammation  is mild and focal. Reactive changes in hepatocytes include focal hepatocyte drop out. Fatty change is not present. Central veins appear normal. There is no evidence of granulomatous inflammation, diagnostic inclusions, or birefringent particles under polarized light. The trichrome stain demonstrates portal bridging fibrosis. The recticulin stain shows mild yo moderate regenerative activity in the periportal hepatocytes. The Prussian blue stain shows no significant iron deposition in hepatocytes. Cytoplasmic inclusions are not seen within the hepatocytes on the PAS-D stain.

Diagnosis:
   Chronic hepatitis with the following features:
       -Bridging Fibrosis: Stage 3 (of 4)
       -Mild to moderate inflammation: Grade 2-3 (of 4)

FIBROSURE
---------
Results:
   Fibrosis Score 0.65H
     (F3-Bridging Fibrosis with many septa)
   Necroinflammat Activity Score 0.63H
     (A3-Severe activity)

[ellissg]

Thanks for that comprehensive result info. Fibrosure proved accurate in your case, but leaned toward "severe" which covers the worst case senario. The biopsy is strictly clinical and hopefully more accurate.

Moneymitt...........Thanks. A CAT Scan will not show fibrosis, but will see enlargement if the cirrhosis is advanced, and the Liver is "decompensated". Looking forward to your results.

Thanks,

Steve

[Tallblonde]

I did both....but the tests were 18 months apart.  The 10/03 biopsy put me at Stage 1, Grade 2.  The 4/05 Fibrosure says I'm Stage 0-1, Grade 1-2. Pretty close.

Susan

[FibroClinic]

After 10 years I was just dignosed with "fibromyalgia", but found out today that my [iver] enzymes are 3 times higher than they should be.

Obviously my liver is working much harder than it should be, and I'm feeling every bit of it.  I'm starting to think the fibromyalgic symptoms are more of an effect rather than a cause - stemming from my liver issue (whatever it is).

Does anyone have any ideas/suggestions.  I'm trying to get an appoinment to see a doctor about it, but have to wait a while before anyone can get me in.  I hope I last long enough to figure it out.