Aa
big change in fibrosis stage in short time?
long story short, dx in feb 2009. had hepascore test done= fo-f1 in april 09. had second hepascore test done in August 2010. inched up some but still in fo-f1. had a 3rd test done March 2011, this time a fibrosure by lab-corp. =f4 cirrhosis!
I was going to treat this year if needed. Im depressed. I figured some progression but not that? I am going to have a nother done by quest for the hepascore to see if what that test says tomorrow. I feel a biopsy coming on and treatment but this is the first time I thought this frightened since I found out about me and HCV. I thought the 2 back to back f0-f1 a year a part would seem pretty accurate. I just dont know what to do now. Im so fearful of the interferon. But more of cirrhosis. Now I feel like its my fault for not treating right away in the beginning. I just cant believe it could have changed that much in 7 months. I take care of my self. and I have probably had this a very long time.
I was going to treat this year if needed. Im depressed. I figured some progression but not that? I am going to have a nother done by quest for the hepascore to see if what that test says tomorrow. I feel a biopsy coming on and treatment but this is the first time I thought this frightened since I found out about me and HCV. I thought the 2 back to back f0-f1 a year a part would seem pretty accurate. I just dont know what to do now. Im so fearful of the interferon. But more of cirrhosis. Now I feel like its my fault for not treating right away in the beginning. I just cant believe it could have changed that much in 7 months. I take care of my self. and I have probably had this a very long time.
@Hector: you asked What does your doctor say about the latest result? Were the previous results correct or this new one that indicates cirrhosis?
The lastest test (Fibrosure) says F4 Cirrhosis. The first two Hepascores a year a part said f0-f1. So Now Im not sure about any of them. I had these hepascores done multiple because I know sometimes they can be off so I just figured I would do them regularly. every 6 months to a year to mark any changes or just to confirm that I was getting an accurate reading. Im not sure, but I could have had this as long as 35 years. my platelet count this time around was 201x10e3/ul biliirubin total 0.6 My IL28B test came back CT.
You also said about the blood tests not being for an f0-f1.. I did not ever read that. I wonder why my doc would not have told me that. When my first test came back f0-f1.. They marked "no treatment"
@copyman: You said Accurate on low and high ends... That's what my research indicated also. That kinda scares me.
Now that things are jumbled up I am going ahead with treatment no matter what the result is. I thought about it, and with my IL28B test being CT, Im glad I didnt jump into treatment. I am having a HEPASCORE test done again on Monday thru quest diagnostics just to see what it says. Just a personal thing. I know that a sonogram is not a great indicator but I got a glowing report on the one I had done in August 2010.
ANother question I have now is who to use to oversee my treatment. I was at the Liver Institute in Dallas with Dr Ghalib (even though I never actually saw her) in the beginning, had my family internist doc(who discovered the HCV) run interim blood tests, Dr Ghalib split off from the Liver Institute for some reason and is now in Arlington TX. She has her own Digestive Disease practice and also is involved in the research office next door to her. That is where they do the HCV clinical trials. They seem like they are somewhat unorganized and treat me like im ignorant of anything that has to do with HCV. Im thinking about going back to Dallas. However, does it really matter once you start treatment as long as they are hepatologists? I mean it is pretty straight forward. take the meds when your suppose to and go have your blood drawn and give additonal meds as needed to get thru treatment.
Any thoughts on that?
Thanks everyone for all your inputs and also for not saying "I told you so"
(about the blood tests)
I would like someday to see biopsies for everyone become a thing of the past.
The lastest test (Fibrosure) says F4 Cirrhosis. The first two Hepascores a year a part said f0-f1. So Now Im not sure about any of them. I had these hepascores done multiple because I know sometimes they can be off so I just figured I would do them regularly. every 6 months to a year to mark any changes or just to confirm that I was getting an accurate reading. Im not sure, but I could have had this as long as 35 years. my platelet count this time around was 201x10e3/ul biliirubin total 0.6 My IL28B test came back CT.
You also said about the blood tests not being for an f0-f1.. I did not ever read that. I wonder why my doc would not have told me that. When my first test came back f0-f1.. They marked "no treatment"
@copyman: You said Accurate on low and high ends... That's what my research indicated also. That kinda scares me.
Now that things are jumbled up I am going ahead with treatment no matter what the result is. I thought about it, and with my IL28B test being CT, Im glad I didnt jump into treatment. I am having a HEPASCORE test done again on Monday thru quest diagnostics just to see what it says. Just a personal thing. I know that a sonogram is not a great indicator but I got a glowing report on the one I had done in August 2010.
ANother question I have now is who to use to oversee my treatment. I was at the Liver Institute in Dallas with Dr Ghalib (even though I never actually saw her) in the beginning, had my family internist doc(who discovered the HCV) run interim blood tests, Dr Ghalib split off from the Liver Institute for some reason and is now in Arlington TX. She has her own Digestive Disease practice and also is involved in the research office next door to her. That is where they do the HCV clinical trials. They seem like they are somewhat unorganized and treat me like im ignorant of anything that has to do with HCV. Im thinking about going back to Dallas. However, does it really matter once you start treatment as long as they are hepatologists? I mean it is pretty straight forward. take the meds when your suppose to and go have your blood drawn and give additonal meds as needed to get thru treatment.
Any thoughts on that?
Thanks everyone for all your inputs and also for not saying "I told you so"
(about the blood tests)
I would like someday to see biopsies for everyone become a thing of the past.
I agree with the others...The chance of having that much progression in such a short time is not likely. The biopsy will be a definitive marker.
Good Luck
WILL
"I just cant believe it could have changed that much in 7 months"
I am sure it hasn't changed that much in 7 months. Hopefully you are able to have a biopsy and get the true picture.
- Dave
I am sure it hasn't changed that much in 7 months. Hopefully you are able to have a biopsy and get the true picture.
- Dave
It is my understanding that the FibroSURE & Hepascore blood tests are FDA approved. The FibroSCAN is not. These blood tests are usually reliable for early stage (F 0/1) and late stage ( F-4cirrhosis) but not that reliable for middle stages.
Sounds like to are going to have to get the biopsy to find out exactly how much fibrosis you have. With the new drugs coming out soon this is a good time to make a decision to treat. Best of luck
Sounds like to are going to have to get the biopsy to find out exactly how much fibrosis you have. With the new drugs coming out soon this is a good time to make a decision to treat. Best of luck
What does your doctor say about the latest result? Were the previous results correct or this new one that indicates cirrhosis?
FibroTest and FibroScan work well for identifying HCV-related cirrhosis (stage 4), but have lesser accuracy for earlier stages of liver fibrosis. Refinements are necessary before these tests can replace the liver biopsy. They are not approved by the FDA. Since you have received results in the stages F0 and F1 hasn't your doctor told you the the test is not designed for someone like you? It is not an accurate test for someone with stage F0 and stage F1.
Why 3 tests in 2 years? A liver biopsy is only needed once every 4 or 5 years. Liver fibrosis is a very slow developing disease. The stage of fibrosis is not going to change in 2 years.
Get a biopsy to find out the true status of your liver. Liver biopsy is still the "gold standard" for assessing the amount of fibrosis. No other test is going to give you the information a biopsy will. The procedure is almost painless and the risk is low.
Changes are good you do not have cirrhosis. Cirrhosis usually takes 30-40 years to develop. You degree of fibrosis can't go from F0-F1 to F4 in 7 months unless you are experiencing acute liver failure which you would know as you would feel very ill and your blood levels would indicate that your liver is failing. How is your platelet count? Bilirubin?
If your doctor is unwilling to schedule a biopsy find another doctor. Is she/he a gastroenterologist? They should be.
Also you should get a IL28B test to see how you might respond to treatment also.
Good luck.
Hectorsf
FibroTest and FibroScan work well for identifying HCV-related cirrhosis (stage 4), but have lesser accuracy for earlier stages of liver fibrosis. Refinements are necessary before these tests can replace the liver biopsy. They are not approved by the FDA. Since you have received results in the stages F0 and F1 hasn't your doctor told you the the test is not designed for someone like you? It is not an accurate test for someone with stage F0 and stage F1.
Why 3 tests in 2 years? A liver biopsy is only needed once every 4 or 5 years. Liver fibrosis is a very slow developing disease. The stage of fibrosis is not going to change in 2 years.
Get a biopsy to find out the true status of your liver. Liver biopsy is still the "gold standard" for assessing the amount of fibrosis. No other test is going to give you the information a biopsy will. The procedure is almost painless and the risk is low.
Changes are good you do not have cirrhosis. Cirrhosis usually takes 30-40 years to develop. You degree of fibrosis can't go from F0-F1 to F4 in 7 months unless you are experiencing acute liver failure which you would know as you would feel very ill and your blood levels would indicate that your liver is failing. How is your platelet count? Bilirubin?
If your doctor is unwilling to schedule a biopsy find another doctor. Is she/he a gastroenterologist? They should be.
Also you should get a IL28B test to see how you might respond to treatment also.
Good luck.
Hectorsf
forget about that LabCorp FibroSure . I have done multiple FibroSures
they varied as much as a full stage in just 1 week and 2 full stages in 6 months
all the while with my enzymes in normal range.
If you have cirrhosis there should be other signs.If you are worried do BX or FibroScan
to get better answers.
they varied as much as a full stage in just 1 week and 2 full stages in 6 months
all the while with my enzymes in normal range.
If you have cirrhosis there should be other signs.If you are worried do BX or FibroScan
to get better answers.
If you need to know the condition of your liver to determine if and when you should do treatment, the answer if biopsy. If the need is merely a curiosity of what your liver looks like without any clinical decision making entailed then an accurate answer is elusive in the absence of a biopsy.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Hepatitis C Community
Learn about this treatable virus.
Getting tested for this viral infection.
3 key steps to getting on treatment.
4 steps to getting on therapy.
What you need to know about Hep C drugs.
How the drugs might affect you.
These tips may up your chances of a cure.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
