lab work

[pdr7686]

Can anyone tell me the lab work that can determine if you have cirrhois?

[virgocharm]

hi bill started boceprivir tx 3 weeks now. i have you to thanks for me getting this far. how are you?

[Bill1954]

Cirrhosis can be diagnosed via liver biopsy; if frank cirrhosis is present, it can be diagnosed by using biochemical markers, along with a physical examination for cirrhotic stigmata. Some of the blood tests might include platelets, INR/Protime, albumin, bilirubin, serum creatinine, etc. UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing) provides a MELD calculator for assessing cirrhosis using chemical markers here:

http://www.unos.org/resources/MeldPeldCalculator.asp?index=98

A good primer for new HCV patients is Janis and Friends:

http://janis7hepc.com/

You might start by clicking on the title ‘newly diagnosed’ at the very top of the page. Other topics can be found by opening any of the subjects found on the right-hand side bar. These should answer most of your basic questions. Good luck going forward, and continue to ask questions--

Bill

[pdr7686]

I had an US done but they did not want me to have a biopsy at this time. The doctors want me to come back in 6 months.I was told I was classified as a 1 -- what ever that means. I realize it is the hardest to treat and have been told if I had to go on treatment it would be for 1 year. My Total Bilirubin was 0.5, my platelet count was 246, my creatinine was 1.3. It looks to me as though all my lab work was okay and at this point I do not have anything to worry about. I am knew to all this. Thanks!

[virgocharm]

my doc told me, becase i thoght i had cirrhosis, said if yor platelets are very very low, its cirrhosis. said i did nt have it. my plates are 297 . dont know as a fact.

[justme53]

I agree that the best way to determine liver damage/cirrhosis is through a liver biopsy,but I believe labs are then used to determine the stage of cirrhosis....compensated vs. decompensated.

My bx showed Stage 4 (cirrhosis) and with the correlating labs ( the ones I remember were Bilirubin, platelets, INR, creatinine) they were able to determine that my cirrhosis was "well-compensated".  

Pam

[charm27]

Only a biopsy can determine what liver damage you have. That inludes fibrosis, cirrhosis.
No labs can determine that.

[pdr7686]

I know the best way to tell is liver biopsy but I had a doctor to tell me that there was lab work that could determine if you had cirrhosis. Therefore, I am wondering what it would be. If anyone knows I would certainly appreciate the answer.

[orleans]

what desrt said

[desrt]

The best way to tell would be biopsy.