Upcoming liver biopsy

[RosieCheeksUK]

Hi all. I was diagnosed with NAFLD/NASH in September 2023. Complete shock as it was only picked up from an unrelated blood test.

Ive had an ultrasound and MRI and saw a Hepatologist Dec 27.

She told me she is confused by what has caused it but said she suspects I am at stage 5 Fibrosis looking at my MRI.

She said only 5 ways to get liver disease and she wants to check for cancer (very worried) as the other reasons appear to have been ruled out.

I have a biopsy on Monday. Told not to eat or drink after midnight as I will be sedated. I am not sure what to expect and have read varying reports on the process.

Was just wondering if someone could explain how long the biopsy takes and the recovery time. Many thanks 😊

I’m British but live in Florida and wondered about going home for treatment. However the care here has been very good and quick so far and all covered by my insurance.

.

[MINTVCX]

About your fibrosis stage I think because you are in the USA other scale is used than in Europe

Scale

[RosieCheeksUK in reply to MINTVCX]

Thank you. I was wondering if there was a comparison list. That makes more sense now.

[Alterity]

Biopsy is easy. I'm had many. It takes very little time, prep takes longer. They lightly sedate you. You will have a band aid over the small hole. The biggest problem is they have everything clean and sterol. I had one I felt the dr was in a hurry and not following procedures and I got an infection, but all the others have been fine. Good Luck, I'm in USA in Columbus, Ohio, I'm in Stage 4 and have been for 22 years.

[Golendoodle in reply to Alterity]

Alterity have you been in any research programs at OSU to see if you can decrease the scarring? Also, have you tried the new blood test that looks at several markers to determine how much fibrosis you might have?

[Alterity in reply to Golendoodle]

I was in research programs for 3 years. I was rejected for this last one with Ozempic, they said I was to far gone, but my Dr. said you don't know her and put me on it anyway. It has done nothing for me other than upset my esophagus. I see my Dr. on the 17th. I have had every test in the book, but I'm sure if they have a new blood test I will get it, My blood test show I don't have a liver problem so they say if that changes I'm be on my last leg. The biopsies, ultra sounds and MRI all say I'm in stage 4. My fiber scans have shown better. It has taken me 23 years but I went from 284 to 200 need to lose more.

[Golendoodle in reply to Alterity]

I may run into you at some point I’m scheduled for an appointment January 19th. I see Dr . Li . I asked about ozempic and she told me it wasn’t approved for fatty liver. With you being in research for so long is that why you had so many biopsies? Was your biopsies done at the James? I’m so apprehensive about having to have one done it was scheduled and I let fear make me change my mind. I did have the ELF blood test a couple weeks ago and it was good. I’m concerned about all the differences seen in tests.I’m so glad to see all the wonderful things your doing and living your best life.

[Alterity in reply to Golendoodle]

Dr. Na Li is my Dr. as well, I use to have Dr. Levin, he retired. She has me on the Ozempic. I see her I think it is Wed. the 17th and we are also working together to bring a Nash conference to Columbus. I think she is to busy to pull it off, but we will see. She wants it is June, but she has to get OSU approval and sponsorship. I have been going to OSU for this for 22 years. They have kept me alive.

[Golendoodle in reply to Alterity]

Omg I’m so glad we found each other!!! What are the odds of us both having the same doctor!

[Josie-Anne in reply to Golendoodle]

Hi Golendoodle,

Can you explain to me what an ELF blood test is, I was diagnosed with NAFLD, the consultant at the hospital in the Isle of Man said I had to have 3-4 blood tests a year to keep a check on it and that was in 2021, when I went to my doctor to ask for a blood test he said we all have a bit of fatty liver disease and when I mentioned to F1-F5 marker chart he said we don’t have that here that’s just in America, does anybody know the equivalent in England as I still haven’t been checked or kept in eye on so would take any advice offered.

Thank you in advance ☺️

[ThyroidDeb in reply to Alterity]

Hi Alterity, just saying Hi. I have read you on hear for several years and am always uplifted by you. So glad to hear you are still doing well have a good new year!!

[Alterity in reply to ThyroidDeb]

Thank you, still at it. Will soon be 68 working full time and then more, I'm been fighting this battle for 23 years. Working with My Dr. to start Conferences for Nash/Mash. She wants to do it this year, but I'm thinking when I retire I will hit the road telling people how to live a full life with Nash/Mash. I'm headed to Hawaii in April, Alaska in August. Went to Italy and Greece last May.. You can still have a life with Nash and miss very little time of work. Positive attitude helps so much. Live in moderation watch what you eat and listen to your body. If you liver rejects something don't do it or eat it again. Rest, your liver works best at rest. Have a great New Year.

[RosieCheeksUK in reply to Alterity]

Thank you. That fills me with more confidence. I Googled way too much and only saw the bad stuff.

[Golendoodle]

I was scheduled to have a biopsy but I made the mistake of looking things up and YouTube and acource I pick out the worst things and apply them to me. Several people say it was nothing and most don’t remember it because they were sedated. Best of luck and I’m sure you’ll do fine.

[RosieCheeksUK in reply to Golendoodle]

Thank you for replying. I think researching everything seems the natural thing to do nowadays! At least YouTube was good for getting Liver Friendly recipes etc!

I am being sedated thank goodness. Not sure if back in UK it is local anaesthetic only. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Golendoodle in reply to RosieCheeksUK]

Rosie I was supposed to be sedated twilight sleep and I still couldn’t mustard up the courage to go. In my heart I know I would have been fine . I’ll be praying for you.

[ThyroidDeb]

Hi RosieCheeksUK. I had a biopsy 2 years ago. Worst part was lying on my side for an hour afterward then rolling over and staying in bed for another 3. I could get up for the bathroom. I was numbed up was all, at the area where they stuck the biopsy needle and a sedative to relax me but I was awake and aware. They have you inhale and hold it to lower the liver just before insertion. They took two samples. Take a book and a snack, I got only water from the hospital and I was there through lunch. Before, with blood test and fiberscan, I had Cirrhosis 4 with advanced fatty liver then switched doctors, after biopsy Fibrosis 1 and mild fatty liver. Now I have a yearly ultrasound and 2 blood test for liver and my regular blood work every 3 months. I lost 75 pounds they determined cause was from diet although the area of fibrosis was zone 3 which is affected by acetaminophen, I read, but that was never in the diagnosis. I have since gained back 15 pounds so now I have to work to get that back off. Went off antidepressant so I wonder if by doing that i gained weight since I feel anxiety again. Who knows!! I try not to take anything processed through the liver but then I worry about the kidneys too. Good luck, it's not a fun filled experience but not as bad as your imagination.

[Golendoodle in reply to ThyroidDeb]

So a biopsy can tell them what actually caused the liver to become fatty and fibrosed?

[lusitania84 in reply to Golendoodle]

No... only the stages of fibrosis, steatosis, etc

[ThyroidDeb in reply to Golendoodle]

My first gastroligist said they weren't going to do a biopsy because they were taking the results from the fiberscan cirrhosis 4 advanced fatty liver. Also, because they knew, he said, it was caused by diet and drinking years ago, that the injury had been going on for years. Although I had not drank for a lot of years but my diet wasn't good. I wasn't satisfied so went to a hepotoligist he suggested the biopsy. All the biopsy indicated was stage 1 fibrosis mild fatty liver in zone 3. My research indicated that zone 3 is what is usually affected by acetaminophen, I was never told the cause particularly. The hepotoligist read my records all the way back as far as they went. He indicated that the damage had been done fairly recent, my liver was enlarged. I had in the past taken a lot of acetaminophen and motrin for leg pain, so I'm not sure the cause. I never took more than I should have but I took it for a long time every 6 to 8 hours. I have read however, that it can be a tool to determine the cause but nothing was precise. Just told to watch my diet.

[RosieCheeksUK in reply to ThyroidDeb]

Thank you for sharing your story. It is worrying that people can get varying information about their stage of the disease.

I appreciate the information about the biopsy. It’s always good to get some idea of what to expect.

It sounds like you have done a lot to get better and losing 75 pounds is amazing. I think you’re probably right about the anti depressants. I have heard that coming off them could cause a change in appetite and weight.

Good luck with everything and keep us posted. 🙂

[lusitania84]

Strange that she would want to use a biopsy to check for cancer. I mean I know that it's necessary to do a biopsy to verify cancer cells but if you have already had an MRI then that would be about the best imaging tool available to check for any tumor. If she didn't see anything on the MRI then I would feel pretty confident about that. Good luck with everything.

[caseycharmer2233]

I had the biopsy over a year ago and I was soooo afraid to go for it...BUT I was fully awake and had something to make me relax during the process. I had so many tests trying to find out my cause for NALFD...My hepotologist believes it was caused by type 2 diabetis..I am not a drinker or overweight.. Just go do your biopsy and get it over with... not as bad as you think...I still go every 6 months for ultra sound to check to see if any changes in my liver...Wishing you the best..I found out over 3 years ago through a blood test that my bilirubin was high and then it led to this shocking diagnosis...so far, doing good and feeling well. Keep us posted..