Ultrasound........what to expect?

[stacyb321]

Hi friends -
I had my first visit with a hepatologist.  Hes sending me for more blood tests and the next week ultrasound sonogram.  Can you all tell me what will the ultrasound determine?  How much damage can they really tell from it?  My bx will be soon too.  Thanks for any input.

Stacy

[desrt]

A sonogram can tell if you have any masses (tumors) or fatty liver disease (steatosis). You'll need the biopsy to tell the stage and grade of fibrosis and whether you have cirrhosis (scarring).

[meki]

*Hi friends -
I had my first visit with a hepatologist.*

Congrats on this - it's a good step in the right direction.


*Hes sending me for more blood tests *

You'll need to know what your blood levels are at. (white cell count, platelet levels, etc. anemia - thyroid issues, alt, asts - etc. ad infinitum) You will also find out what your viral load is --- what genotype you have, etc. This is important to understand so that the type of treatment you get will be properly applied to you. For example - people with 3a and 2a(b) genotypes alone usually go through only 6 months of treatment - whereas 1a types will go through 1 full year of treatment. etc.

*and the next week ultrasound sonogram. Can you all tell me what will the ultrasound determine?*

An ultrasound is like what they do for pregnant woman - it can view extreme damage - like an xray can. It is less invasive - it doesn't hurt at all - unless you don't like cold jellies... But it can show some damage. My Hepatologist used this method to determine if I had massive damage - without causing problems from a biopsy method. But I was advised if the ultrasound returned back any inkling of a problem the biopsy would be performed.

To be honest - I certainly preferred the ultrasound.

But - if your levels are super high - or if there appears to be significant damage - then you will have a biopsy.

*How much damage can they really tell from it?*

I really don't know if it is an exact science yet. I think it can tell massive scarring and any tumor, cyst like items on your liver. Think of it as an x-ray.

It's probably very effective - in determining if there is a problem enough to warrant a biopsy - which to me - I hated the biopsy - and would take 10000000 ultrasounds to one biopsy.

The biopsy determines how much damage - if there is damage done - to your liver.

But - only a doctor can tell you if it is effective. I don't think they would be using it if it wasn't tho.

Good Luck Stacy...

Meki

[orleans]

Hey, I went to mine not knowing what to expect. There were "things" on my liver and around that I thought were cancers. The tech. can't say anything. She saw that I thought I was ate up with cancer and mercifully went to get the Dr., asking me to wait. Turns out that the "things" were cysts and not a problem. (the tech recieved a big bouquet of flowers that afternoon! she really didn't have to do what she did, but in so doing kept me from going thru the weekend thinking I was dying, very nice of her) All that to say this, IF there is something there you can see, DON"T jump to conclusions. later, jm