Laborer

[bama837]

I have Hepatitis C. Should my initial screening be by ultrasound

[Trinity4]

I don't know about initial screening, doctors do things differently but once genotype has been determined and all other bloodwork done the next step is usually liver biopsy.  In my case, I had an ultrasound and CT scan done prior to biopsy.

There are still doctors who don't feel biopsy is necessary with genotype 2 and 3 if the patient chooses to treat immediately because of the high cure rate.  However, I feel biopsy is an essential tool in managing hepc whether you treat immediately or not.

Trinity  

[hcvJames]

Someone will correct me if wrong ... ultrasounds, more or less, show an outline, like a baby. In the case of livers it will show gross abnormalities. Next test would prolly be a cat scan, which, more or less, shows the inside to a certain degree, ... used to look for smaller cancerous tumors. The gold standard for determining fibrosis / cirrhosis is a liver biopsy.

To help people give better answers, do you know how long you've had it? What type, like 1a / b, type 2 or 3?

Welcome to the group.

[Cory255]

Welcome to the Forum!

Generally speaking, the genotype/strain is determined during initial screening to help decide how to proceed w/ TX (Treatment).  Do you know how long you've been infected?  If you're geno 1, w/ less severe liver damage you might consider waiting for better TX.  Otherwise, you could start the Standard of Care TX.  Here's a link about ultrasounds, HCC, & AFP's.              

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/HCC-and-Ultrasound-sensitivity-/show/1354118