median liver stiffness 20kpa and gamma gt 194

[livercirrhosis]

i am patient of hep c, it was diagnosed almost 13 years ago, recently doctor asked me for fibroscan and certain other tests, my median liver stiffness found by fibroscan results is 20 kpa while gamma gt is 194, what can be assumed from it that it is which stage of liver cirrhosis

[flyinlynn]

Are you going to start treatment for your hep C? There are several relatively new medicines that have been approved since 2013 that are very effective at treating and curing hepatitis C. Most patients tolerate treatment very well. Treatment could be as simple as 1 pill a day for 12 weeks and you could be cured. These new meds have about a 98% rate of cure for most patients.

I had hep c for 37 years. After I had been infected for 30 years I was diagnosed with cirrhosis. My Fibroscan score before treatment was 27. I have been living with cirrhosis for almost 11 years. I was cured of hep C in May of 2015

[flyinlynn]

A Fibroscan score of 20 for a patient with hep c corresponds to a fibrosis score of F4. F4 means you have cirrhosis your doctor should have discussed this with you.

Elevated liver enzymes like GGT, ALT and AST  indicate something is currently injuring your liver but do not relate to how much damage has occurred or is occurring.

As far as stage of cirrhosis:

Stage 1 Cirrhosis

Stage 1 is the earliest stage of cirrhosis and is characterized by the absence of two significant complications known as varices and ascites. Varices are dilated, ballooned veins. They are most often located in the lining of the esophagus and/or stomach. Acsites refers to an accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity. Both varices and ascites develop primarily because of obstructed blood flow through the liver, a condition known as portal hypertension. While people with stage 1 cirrhosis have extensive liver scarring, it is not severe enough to cause substantial portal hypertension and its complications.

Stage 1 cirrhosis is considered compensated cirrhosis. This means that despite extensive damage, the liver is not yet so severely scarred that clinically apparent signs of liver failure have developed. People with stage 1 cirrhosis generally do not experience many symptoms other than perhaps lack of energy and fatigue. Stage 1 cirrhosis is potentially reversible if the underlying cause of the cirrhosis is eliminated or cured.

Stage 2 Cirrhosis

Stage 2 cirrhosis is marked by the development of esophageal varices, due to worsening portal hypertension, but without the presence of ascites. While the development of esophageal varices indicates worsening cirrhosis and an increased risk of dying in the next 12 months, stage 2 cirrhosis is still considered compensated cirrhosis. There remains the potential for at least partial reversal of liver damage if the underlying cause of cirrhosis is eliminated or cured.

Stage 3 Cirrhosis

Stage 3 cirrhosis is marked by the development of ascites, with or without the presence of varices. The volume of ascites varies from being detectable only with imaging tests, such as abdominal ultrasound, to obvious bloating of the abdomen. The development of ascites signals worsening portal hypertension due to advancing liver scarring and deterioration of liver function. Stage 3 cirrhosis signals decompensated cirrhosis, meaning the liver is failing. Once decompensated cirrhosis develops, liver scarring is irreversible and evaluation for liver transplantation is generally recommended. A variety of signs and symptoms may be present with stage 3 cirrhosis, including:
pale and/or yellowish skin
weight loss and loss of appetite
shortness of breath
extreme fatigue
persistent, widespread itchiness
swelling of the feet, ankles and lower legs
wasting of the muscles of the arms and legs

Stage 4 Cirrhosis

The defining feature of stage 4 is gastrointestinal bleeding, usually from ruptured varices in the esophagus or stomach. This type of bleeding can be immediately life threatening if not controlled. Even if bleeding stops or is medically controlled, however, individuals with stage 4 cirrhosis still face a high risk of dying within 12 months. Persons with stage 4 cirrhosis have end-stage liver disease and urgent evaluation for possible liver transplantation is necessary. Signs and symptoms that might develop include those that may occur with stage 3 cirrhosis as well as others, such as:
confusion, personality changes and/or extreme sleepiness
hand tremors
reduced urination, which may indicate kidney failure
high fever, signalling infection of the abdominal cavity