Hi everyone, so I had a biopsy in December last year and the results weren't great. My letter from the consultant at the hospital said that I scored a 5 out of 6, where zero is an absence of fibrosis through to six, which is likely or definite cirrhosis (this is using the Ishak scoring system), which is defined as "significant portal-to-portal and portal-to-central bridging with sporadic nodules", I have no idea what this means but it doesn't sound great.
So, since the day I received the letter, I've done everything I should, no alcohol (I've totally abstained), a total change of diet to cleaner food and I've lost around two stones so far, which is great.
I saw the consultant last week and when I asked what I actually had, he said, in effect, all three (NAFLD, Fibrosis or NA Cirrhosis), which wasn't particularly helpful.
So, the question is, what do I have? What should I be putting on travel insurance declarations, etc? Do I actually have cirrhosis, seeing as I am level 5/6?
Does anyone else have a similar experience who can advise me, as it is very confusing and the last thing I want to do is invalidate an insurance policy or similar declaration.
Thanks in advance, SF
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The biopsy can provide some more information about the cause of the fibrosis/damage. I strongly suggest to ask about the description of your biopsy and the interpretation. Although maybe it has been already done in a short way to provide final diagnosis (NALFD and severe fibrosis or cirrhosis).
In fact, a histological score of 5-6 points (according to the Ishak scoring system) corresponds to the cirrhotic stage of liver fibrosis or stage F4 on the METAVIR scale. Of course, it is correct to contact your liver consultant for clarification. Have you had a liver Fibroscan?
I think if there is a biopsy, fibroscan is not so important. Biopsy is a "golden standard" which does not mean it is 100% accurate (no single test is). To be honest to see the real status of the liver the best is post-mortem examination.
Formally you are right. I just asked a question. As you correctly noted, a biopsy also does not guarantee an error-free interpretation. However, it would be interesting to compare the results.
I was in the same boat. Either call or send your GP a message. I was like so confused. I asked my Liver doc. “So since my labs are good and no real changes in my MRI , do I still have Cirrhosis?” The answer was yes you still have it. But she stated that I have compensated cirrhosis if I remember the term right.
You can have both NA cirrhosis and NAFLD (apparently I have both although the NAFLD was a recent diagnosis and I have my doubts about the test's accuracy). My blood tests have been normal for years. My liver is well compensated. So far so good!
It is all three because the first can cause the second and lead to the third.
But all told the fact that you are not all the way at the end of the spectrum is very good news. The advice Katy gave you the first time you posted still holds. Lose the weight and don't drink and you can live a good long life as many (but not all, I am not saying all) patients do. Katy can tell you more about patients her husbands doctor has had for over 20 years and I know of the same kinds of results too - no transplant, going strong.
Chin up and listen to Katie and don't get too down -
Thank you for all of the answers and the encouragement - I came away from seeing the consultant probably more confused than when I went in! The more I asked, the less I seemed to get back. I'm trying to do all of the right things, I have completely abstained from alcohol since January, changed my diet and lost 2st of weight (15st down to 13st), so trying my best
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