Fibroscan Score question

[stringer]

I just recieved the results from my Fibroscan this morning. My score was 8.3. The hepa doc said I was between a stage 1 and stage 2. This seems more like a stage 2 from what I have read. Anyone know the score ranges for each stage? I have a viral load of 6.7 million IU/ml. My liver enzymes are slightly elevated. Kidney functions are normal and blood counts are normal. I will know my genotype next week.    

[HCA]

I measured 8.5kps on Fibroscan,freshly calibrated machine,expert techinician.
Simultaneously on trans-jugular biopsy 'developing cirrhosis at least'
I don't consider the fibroscan a reliable substitute for a biopsy.

[stringer]

Thanks guys. this gives me a lot to ponder and research. It seems like a lot of you are on top of this thing.I have only known that I have this disease since July and I am still a newbie. I will be 47 in March,have a  bmi of about 25 and exercising very seriously.I have lost about 14 pounds so far. I'm 6 ft 2 and weigh 208. Trying to get below 200. I have improved my diet allthough I have a way to go on that. I take milk thistle,r lipoic acid and Phosphatidyl choline as recommended by my regular doctor. I also have high blood pressure which has been under control for the last ten years or so. I take blood pressure meds for that and fish oil. I do not drink alcohol at all anymore and started drinkin about a gallon of water a day. I drove down to Miami for my Fibroscan and the hepa doc wanted to get me in a trial but that would be impossible as I live in Nashville and he said I would have to go in once a week for a check. The closest trial I could find so far would be a boce trial in Atlanta which is about four hours away. If I had bad sx I'm not sure I would be able to make the drive once a week. I finally became insured the first of this month through a state program for the uninsurable but it is very expensive and only covers fifty percent for the first six months. I will be starting with a hepa doc at vanderbilt soon.

Anyway that is most of my situation and I really appreciate all of the advice and it helps a lot to come to this site.

Stringer

  

[copyman]

here are the dates and results of my different types of liver fibrosis tests:

10/2/06 FibroSURE   F0 - No fibrosis, Grade A1 - minimal activity

8/2/07  FibroSCAN (done in Boston) 8.8 kPA , doctor said around stage 2

8/16/07 FibroSURE   F0 - No Fibrosis, Grade A0-A1  very minimal activity

9/27/07 Liver core biopsy: Stage 1, Grade 1. Here is the exact wording from BX report:
Mild portal chronic inflamation (grade1)
No significant lobular activity (score 0)
Focol mild portal fibrosis (stage 1) by trichrome & reticulin stains
Stainable iron not increased.
Comments: The diagnosis is concurred by multiple staff pathologists in intradepartmental consultation.

[bajawoman]

For me and my situation the advice was to wait till next year do to business matters and my current health status as if I was to tx now chances of success are low so could wait  when better drugs will come out next year

If I decide that I am able before the new drugs come our or ( get my IR under control  weight diet etc) then to definately use Alinia with tx and Metaformin if needed

as I can get it here in Mexico He gave me the name of the products here.

Meantime many sups to help me guard against further liver damage during the wait.
NAC
LEF
ALA
Resveritol
milk thistle
TMG
Betain
Taurin

I believe this sups work I have already noticed a boost in energy and stomach issues are much better that could be the diet too

Baja

[jmjm530]

Just wanted to add -- that assuming the advice "you have time to wait" -- was given to you by "HR" -- it's gratifying that he thinks someone bordeline stage 3 has time to wait.

I can't remember if this is a shift from some previous comments he's made, but if so, it may reflect the fact that the current PI's in trial are showing some very promising results and therefore a logical conclusion (for me at least ) is that everything else being equal, the threshold stage for "watch and wait" has been raised a bit. In other words, where someone might have decided to treat a year ago at "stage x", now they might decide to wait some.

Still, the higher the stage, the more vigilant the "watch" part of watch and wait must be. Therefore the suggestion of needle biopsy and Fibroscan follow-ups.

-- Jim

[jmjm530]

Not sure what advice you were given about a confiriming needle biospy, but again -- especially if you're not going to treat, I would seriously consider a needle biopsy within the next year and perhaps a follow-up scan in six months to a year.

-- Jim