I need your help interpreting my numbers

[R Glass]

I need your help interpreting this for me. I picked up my medical records to day. I am a

[SonicBandaid]

Look, any chance we can get back to the topic?  There are some people who read this forum for medical help and information, not to read tedious ego-driven posturing.

No-one, certainly not me (I have written or co-authored scientific articles about liver biopsy), debates that fact that a liver biopsy is the best currently available tool to assess whether or not the liver is damaged and to quantify the degree of that damage.  

But the point I was making, which is quite different, is that not everyone with HCV NEEDS a biopsy; certainly those individuals with genotype 2 HCV present for < 10 years have both an extremely low risk of cirrhosis (<0.5%) and an extremely HIGH probability (~90%) of clearing the virus with treatment.  In this setting, as with all other patients with HCV, the prevention of further liver damage due to HCV is PRIMARILY dependent on clearing the virus, and whether or not this occurs will be measured and confirmed by HCV PCR of serum, not further biopsies.  Doing a biopsy in patients like this contributes little to their management other than exposing them to the small, but not zero, risk of biopsy (which does include death in 1 per 2-10,000 biopsies depending on the series).  As stated, I have seen one person DIE from an UNECESSARY biopsy; How would you then feel if your Doc had suggested against it but you "insisted" on it, perhaps on a family memeber?  Once you lacerate the right hepatic artery with a TruCut biopsy needle, as was done in this case (under ultrasound control, I might add) you are potentially in major league trouble, even if you can get to a good liver surgeon pronto.

There is also NO reason why, if needed, a biopsy couldn

[missy60051]

You are very appreciated and welcomed here by me!
sorry that what ever their name is has the audacity to insult you.
None of us here are Drs. and you are therefore you have my respect and anything you have said has been pretty much the same level of every Dr. I've been to and I even fired my 1st Dr.  I thank you for your presence and your information.  Now if you were my first Dr. I had, you would get the boot.
Please stop by as you are an asset.
Missy

[ladybug52]

I'm insulted on Sonic's behalf! You have grossly misrepresented all of  his statements. Your perception of his help and information is way off.. It's not reality, and most of your comments could be labeled slander.Regarding our healthcare, I agree with him, and it's sad that so many people can not afford tx. They are doing without, stopping early, or coming to sites like this to seek help.

[Catll]

There was no misrepresentation!

I am too new here and too busy with my HCV if I do not understand a posted item, I ask direct question. You might be a medical student, doctor, or just regular patient as me.

Could not realize that my questions offended you, sorry in advance.
I just asked for an explanation

[R Glass]

I made the visit today and got to have a good talk with the Doctor. He compared earlier results to the ones I posted and explained even though they are still elevated, they have dropped dramatically. My SGPT was 587 and now 200. The 587 were due to the combination of Hepc, Cholesterol Meds, Blood Pressure Meds, Loratab, Jim Beam, and Miller Lite. I told him I quit taking everything but the Loratabs when I was diagnosed about 2-1/2 months ago. Since I quit drinking my Blood Pressure has been fine. Today it was 118/80. He said he could lower the dose of cholesterol meds. and keep an eye on my enzymes, I said no thanks. He said my ultrasound didn

[missy60051]

Just wanted to say hello.  Knew something wasn't right.  I've been staying busy and resting.  Not too much computer other than the last few days, but I didn't see any of your post.  Now I understand.  I hope you're ok.  Take it easy.
Hope you feel better
Missy