Liver biopsy questions.

[Bellerin]

Hello, first post I have written on this forum, and I hope somebody could help me please.

I have been having problems with my liver for about 18 months now. I have had monthly LFC tests in that time, and some are abnormal & out of range and continue to go more out of range (I haven't got many copies, but my GP is very good and I see her each month.)

I then finally had an appointment with a consultant at the hospital and he did some tests and told me he had found fibrosis, but has booked me in for a biopsy.

I guess I am just looking for some information, the biopsy has been explained, but I am extremely nervous, I do already have an anxiety problem to contend with normally.

Do anyone know whether any of this would affect my weight? I have put on a lot of weight in the last 18 months for no reason at all, and it does show any signs of stopping! I also have a problem with my thyroid and currently take Levothyroxine and T3, but I am not sure whether these would be affect by my liver either.

Thank you for any help or advice, it will be greatly welcome.

[dadofeight]

Hi, biopsy is a very sage procedure. Trust your consultant- I was waryounger and was glad I got it as it ruled out damage. The preamble and risks being read out is a bit scary but it's over in seconds

Take care.

[Bellerin in reply to dadofeight]

Thank you This helps.

[Ralph2016]

Biopsie is ok. I had it France 2 years ago and they give you s strong sedative so you don't know what's going on to much or can be a bit scary if you awake. Don't know how they do it in England sure someone else can say. Don't shoot me but I have found out treatment and hospitals in France is much better than England. Sorry to say it but just my experience

[Bellerin in reply to Ralph2016]

Thank you, sadly I can't nip over to France, as much as I would like to! Thanks for the advice.

[Hidden]

Hello Belllerin. In the UK they do not sedate you for a biopsy. I have had two biopsies, so have a little experience. The area to be biopsied will be numbed with anaesthetic, and they will check that they have given you enough before going ahead and taking the biopsy. My first biopsy was over very quickly and the samples were taken from the right hand side of my liver. It took a matter of minutes, the whole thing. I was then wheeled back onto the ward ( I was already in hospital, waiting for a full diagnosis) where I had to lie on a bed for about 4 hours. This was also the case for the second biopsy, so make sure you have reading material or something to occupy you if you are the sort of person that gets bored.

I did have some pain afterwards, but this is by no means a common occurrence from what I can gather from others. However, the pain is nothing sinister, it's just that the blood feeding the liver also feeds the shoulder and so some people can experience this side effect. Pain medication will help.

The second biopsy took a little longer, since I was done by someone being supervised, but I experienced no pain afterwards. The biggest pain is lying around for 4/5 hours afterwards just waiting to go home. Despite the risks that they must tell you about, which do sound pretty scary, it really should be nothing to worry about. It is very quick and the process itself is pain free.

I hope this puts your mind at rest.

I have had problems with my liver for 8 years and it has not affected my weight, it sounds more like they haven't got the thyroid sorted out yet. As I understand it, it can be very difficult to get the levels of medication right, so I would persist in getting this aspect sorted out.

All the very best

[Bellerin in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for the detailed reply, and thank you for taking the time to write it to me. I was told by my consultant that I would be given anaesthetic in my hand which would make me a bit 'twilight' and not quite with it, hope that's right. I am having it in my side, so I guess I am just worried that I will have some complications, and ultimately have to stay in hospital.

Thanks again, and fingers crossed it will all go okay.

[Hidden in reply to Bellerin]

You're welcome. I know it can be scary when they emphasise the complications, but I belong to a Facebook group where this sort of thing is discussed a lot and no-one seems to have had complications from a biopsy other than the pain that I mentioned. Each hospital and consultant has their own way, so I guess if they have told you you will get anaesthetic, that must be the way they do things at your hospital, so you shouldn't feel a thing!!

Good luck and I hope it all goes well.

[Bellerin in reply to Hidden]

Thank you