biopsy?

[sancho_panza]

diagnosed couple of months ago & dr offers no guidance. treatment is my choice, biopsy is my choice, antidepressants are my choice. I appreciate that he believes I should be in charge of my own health care, but wtf do I know?

Genotype: 3a
concomitant w/NAFLD (not metabolic, but based on genotype)
slightly elevated ALT/AST (not scarily, 150 & 44)
see a therapist (out of pocket, not HMO plan) but HMO diagnosed me as NOT depressed.
clean & sober 21 yrs. healthy, just suffer from surreal fatigue.
will start treatment late july/early august

Would a biopsy be helpful?

[fretboard]

A biopsy isn't gonna hurt you and it sure will reveal what's really happening to your liver.  With your ALT being up to 150 I would, you have nothing to lose.  I mean it may be something besides the HepC that has your ALT up to 150 but how are you gonna find out how much liver damage you have unless you have a biopsy?  It sounds like that doctor is not gonna be much help to you, get a new one if you can.  good luck

[newleaf09]

Genotype 3 has a high rate of successful treatment.  If you've already decided to treat you don't actually have to have a biopsy.  Most people have them to see if they are so bad off that it is essential to treat right away, in case they were thinking of waiting for a more convenient time to treat.  

If it would help your doctor and insurance would pay for it, have a biopsy, but I don't think it's especially critical for your situation.