Newly Diagnosed with PBC

[staylor1776]

Hi,

Can someone explain these results? Thank you in advance.

Liver (random biopsies):

- The specimen is composed of cores of liver parenchyma showing changes of mild steatosis.

- Trichrome and reticulin stains showed changes of mild periportal fibrosis, stage 1/4.

- Minimal periportal activity is noted, grade 1/4.

- A PAS stain performed with and without diastase is negative for the presence of intrahepatic inclusions suggestive of Alpha-1

Antitrypsin deficiency.

- An iron stain does not show significant deposition of iron within hepatocytes or histiocytes.

- No malignant cells or granulomata are noted.

[cazer]

fibrosis... a change in the connective tissue of the liver... inflammation but as it says only mild,

steanosis... mild fatty deposits in the liver which can cause problems but as far as im aware treatable,

some liver diseases can be cause by too iron in the liver... but im assuming the iron test indicates not raised iron.. so no issue with that,

i have no medical training... only 19years with a liver disease so these things may not be correct... your best bet is to see your gp who can explain it all properly and then refer you to a specialist if that is thought suitable...

this is some of it... will do the rest in a moment as have to take tablets...

best wishes cazer

[cazer]

hi again,

no signs of cancer... i think... not sure about the other two.

it seems that youve had a thorough test... I'm assuming as I said that you will see someone soon for a proper explanation... hoping you aren't worrying too much about it all...

this site is really good.. ive found,

we have a laugh as well, it all helps

hope you get some proper answers soon, best cazer.

[GrittyReads]

Please do talk to the trained advisors at the 'PBC Foundation' who host this site on the general health advice site 'Health Unlocked. There is a link to the 'PBC F' website at the top of this page, and you can then contact them via phone or email. They are lovely, kind, patient and well informed, and the general website at the 'PBC F' is wonderful - a mine of information. If you join - it's free - you get even more access to the website, and a tri-monthly magazine with articles from the UK's leading PBC specialists, who work with the 'PBC F' officers to ensure that PBC sufferers get all the latest info on PBC. The magazine - and on the website - has a summary of the recent official/formal guidelines, for the diagnosis of PBC, which are all supposed to be followed by all UK/Euro, liver/PBC specialists - as well as the protocol which GPs are supposed to follow to refer patients to specialists, for the testing for PBC.

I admit I cannot help much with the information you have given from your liver biopsy, never having had one. But, I would trust what Cazer says, absolutely, and agree about talking to your GP/medic and getting him/her to talk you through it all.

Do you know what your symptoms were, and what tests your GP did before deciding to refer you for a biopsy? You cannot be diagnosed just by symptoms, although these can be a good guide in telling your Dr what tests to do. In the UK most people are diagnosed by:

(1) anomalies in blood tests - specifically in their 'liver function tests' (lfts) - that are typical of PBC, and:

(2) the presence of the autoimmune antibody AMA-M2 which is usually present in the blood tests of people with PBC.

If there are any areas where the above 2 tests are uncertain, but PBC is suspected, that is when a biopsy is usually requested: so it would be good to know what your medic did and what the thinking was. Sorry I can't help any more with the tests, but do talk to the 'PBC F' people, and talk the results through with your GP.

Also, come back here anytime, as it is a very supportive, caring and well-informed site.

Take care, and don't worry - sounds like you are in good hands,

Gritty.