Fresh Liver Biopsy Results

Hi Everybody!

I have just received my liver biopsy results (done to confirm a fatty liver diagnosis). My results were mild steatohepatitis, but the results show stage 1c portal and periportal fibrosis.  Can anybody shed some light on what this means?  I have a follow up appt with the gastroenterologist who ordered the biopsy but it's not until early august.  Thanks in advance for any insight you can provide!

[willbb]

  Hey that is all great news and again sorry for inferring you may have had HepC. The ALT and AST being slightly elevated is nothing to worry about..2 to 10 points is very common with  NASH.   I guess they told you still a good idea to  stay away from the booze with NASH,,try to eat healthy and most important to lose weight if you are overweight.

Good luck..

Will

[willbb]

Below is a link to the metavir scoring system. Fortunately it says you have mild liver damage(fibrosis). Because of that result there is no urgency to treat and having an appointment with the specialist should fall in good timing with the release of the new meds coming out to discuss with  him/her.

Even with mild liver damage do not drink alcohol as it can speed up the progression.

Good luck..
WIll

What Does My METAVIR Score Mean?
The fibrosis is graded on a 5-point scale from 0 to 4. The activity, which is the amount of inflammation (specifically, the intensity of necro-inflammatory lesions), is graded on a 4-point scale from A0 to A3.
Fibrosis score:
F0 = no fibrosis
F1 = portal fibrosis without septa
F2 = portal fibrosis with few septa
F3 = numerous septa without cirrhosis
F4 = cirrhosis

Activity score:

[R Glass]

Congratulations, Don’t rush into anything.

[babs824]

sounds like good news but even then as will said alcohol is not good for the liver. you may want to learn more about this disease and how you might slow the progression. certain meds like tylenol, steroids and others can dramatically exacerbate the liver probs. always read up on natural or prescription meds before beginning a regimen. diet plays a role too and there is lots of online info about that too. good luck, babs

[mutsu2150]

Thanks for the information!  Guess it's time to clean out the liquor cabinet; since I rarely drank alcohol, what's the use in keeping temptation around?

@babs824:
Thanks to you and R Glass for the encouraging words but, I know I posted in the Hep C boards, but (and forgive me for being naive) does having liver fibrosis means I have Hep C?

[willbb]

Sorry it was just assumed you have Hepc...no this biopsy  does not necessarily mean that. You would have had to have been diagnosed with  a blood test for hepc Have you had this test.

[R Glass]

Now I am confused. Why did they do a Liver Biopsy?. It would seem that HCV would be on of the first things they would have checked.

[nygirl7]

Why did they order you a biopsy?

[willbb]

I know sometimes they will order a biopsy to  diagnose the difference between someone having fatty liver and the more serious form of steatohepatitis(NASH)...maybe thats what was done...

[mutsu2150]

I double checked my records pertaining to the biopsy, and your last response was the reason the biopsy was ordered.

As far as blood tests were concerned, I had complete blood work done on two separate occasions (last July and repeat tests two weeks ago) were a positive Hep A (gastro said in February it was nothing to worry about) result and my AST and ALT are slightly above reference range, however, my AST and ALT results has always been slightly out of reference range (meaning 2 to 10 points above reference range) going back 20 years.  I also tested positive for ANA (being treated for Rheumatoid Arthritis), everything else were all normal.  Hep B and C results from last July were negative.  

[willbb]

  Hey that is all great news and again sorry for inferring you may have had HepC. The ALT and AST being slightly elevated is nothing to worry about..2 to 10 points is very common with  NASH.   I guess they told you still a good idea to  stay away from the booze with NASH,,try to eat healthy and most important to lose weight if you are overweight.

Good luck..

Will