Should I get a liver biopsy?

[scoleman]

I was diagnosed with HepC in 2000 with genotype 1a.  My liver biopsy said I had "minimal chronic portal hepatitis, grade 0-1.  No fibrosis present." I've been on triple treatment since August with Incivek and was UND at 4 and 12 weeks.  Should I get a liver biopsy or other test to determine if my liver is in good shape?  My doctor says my liver is fine because my platelets never dropped over the years.  I've had yearly blood work and viral loads done.  

What do you think?  I'm not sure what I'd do differently even if my liver had sustained more damage over the last 11 years.  

Thanks for any input, Sherry

[pjhep80]

there is a blood test (lab corp test is called Fibrosure) ...  that can be almost as good as a biopsy why not just get that

[scoleman]

Thanks for the input, no liver biopsy for me.  

Take care, Sherry

[eureka254]

Adding my "no" to the unanimous input.  The only exception for considering biopsy would be if treatment didn't work for you, but being UND at both 4 and 12 weeks, you're a shoe in for SVR... congratulations.

[brianmo]

No. I have had three. First two, walk in park. Third one, complications. It's invasive, risky. Listen to your doctor. Finish tx. A bx is not going to change anything.

[fretboard]

My doctor says my liver is fine because my platelets never dropped over the years.  I've had yearly blood work and viral loads done.  
What do you think?
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
I think your doctor is right and you don't need a liver biopsy.  You're on triple therapy, all you gotta do is finish tx and join the SVR team.  good luck!!

[mikesimon]

Listen to your doctor on this one.

Mike

[Advocate1955]

It doesn't seem like there would really be any need for a liver biopsy, if the Hep C virus is gone and no longer doing any damage to your liver.  If you developed Cirrhosis over the past 11 years, then you did.  If you didn't, then you didn't.  You are doing all that you can do right now to aid your liver, so far as I understand.
Advocate1955

[willbb]

Hi Sherry. Liver biopsy is not usually done to satisfy curiosity. It is an invasive medical procedure that sometimes can result(rarely)t in complications,therefore there really isn't much point.
Once you eradicate the virus the damage that was done as a result of the virus will cease and often there is a regression of fibrosis.
Your doctor is making a fairly broad assumption that your liver is fine only on the basis of platelet level ,as very often all blood labs are normal even with advanced  progression,however it is true that very often an early sign of Cirrhosis is lowered platlets.

hope Tx. is going well for you...
Will