Fibroscan: My results say I am between stages?
Did a fibroscan test it came back stage 2/3.Ultrasound says cirrhosis with a few nodules. Can’t talk to the doctor just started treatment for some reason it’s impossible to have a discussion with him. Confused by results? So technically I am early stage III so somehow I skipped an entire stage and went straight to cirrhosis based on ultrasound compare to bloodwork.
Hi Grant. The confusion over stage is more common than we like to think. Even when biopsy was required before treatment we never knew how accurate the results were. It really depended on where the doctor took the sample. We were told there was a 30% sampling error. The good thing is that with the newest treatments that are available it doesn't matter as much to know your stage because just about everyone is cured and in time you will likely have improvement in your liver histology. You can ask your doctor what he believes about the cirrhosis diagnosis. With cirrhosis there are things that the doctor can see in your labwork such as low platelets that would tip him off. I wish you the best with treatment.
Thank you I really appreciate your reply. I have a really good platelet count all my numbers are actually really good that’s why this was such a shock. I’m on day 19 of my treatment go in next week to see if it’s working.Had biopsy a 2008 with no damage I had had it for 18 years at that point and was relying on my blood work and with good numbers I thought I was fine to wait but obviously I waited too damn late.I figured with 18 years under my belt with no damage how bad could it be 14 years later? Well apparently went 4 stages in that time unless the ultrasound is inaccurate.
Platelets are around 290, the thing that really gets me is if I am cirrhosis that means I have to be watched every six months and honestly obviously hoping to move on with life after cure now it seems as though this is all even worse than when I thought I just had hepatitis C.
yeah grant,my numbers are all good,doc says no cirrohsis based on blood work numbers, not actually seeing,dont trust that diagnosis a lick.waiting to start meds,insurance said 3 weeks after meeting doc that i need more testing,fibrosis level,etc,stressful as heck
I actually got a FIBROSCAN it turns out I do not have any damage to my liver whatsoever. I agree with your statement that you cannot trust just numbers alone I suggest getting a FIBROSCAN . I had a lot of unnecessary stress thinking I had cirrhosis based on an ultrasound and the whole time I was fine really frustrated with my doctor not sure if I just wanted to get me on the medicine and that was a perfect way to make sure they didn’t deny so they could put money in their pockets. Don’t get me wrong I appreciate being cured I just am not so sure about the approach hope I’m wrong.
Thank you for sharing. I definitely understand about unnecessary stress from liver ultrasounds. While I went through heart and liver transplant evaluations, I was informed that my results jumped from Stage 2 liver fibrosis to Stage 3/4 liver cirrhosis within 6 months from the time my first liver ultrasound to my 2nd liver ultrasound. I panicked because I thought I was going to have a dual transplant. I was even considered to be an alcoholic by one liver specialist, but little did he know that I received liver failure otherwise known as FALD from an experimental open heart surgery I had as a child.
Within days, I insisted on having a liver biopsy and a Fibroscan of my liver. The transplant team set up a Fibroscan and a liver biopsy to rule out all possible options including liver cancer. Thankfully, I only needed a heart transplant and almost 3 years post transplant. I’m healthier than I’ve ever been, but I’m still at Stage 2 liver fibrosis so I continue to get regular check ups, ultrasounds and Fibroscans annually to make sure I’m still healthy. Always ask for second and third opinions, if needed. Leslie (Community Moderator)
