Liver Biopsy? - Liver & Pancreas Disorders Message Board

laoks9999 · 09-22-2008, 08:10 PM

I have elevated liver enzymes of 180/80 - ALT/AST and tested negative for hepatitus and an ultrasound of liver was normal. My GI thinks it should be either fatty liver, NASH or steatohepatitus, or autoimmune hepatitus. So now I need to have a liver biopsy.

My question is has anyone ever had a liver biopsy? Is it painful? What might I expect? With nothing found so far is it likely that I have one of these conditions? Any ideas? If I must have one of these which one of these is preferred?

Thanks

rubyrubyd · 10-04-2008, 06:09 PM

I had a liver biopsy yesterday. I was scared out of my mind. I had asked o be "knocked out" The reply was "no"
My gastro Dr. said that he would "work with me". I arrived @ the hosp, registered, and was brought into a "holding area. BP taken, temp etc. My gastro Dr. came in then the radiologist and introduced him to me. They gave me a 5 mg. valium, which at least stopped me from crying. A nurse then came in and said that she would be with me the whole time, which she was. I of course, asked he radiologist how many of these procedures he had done, to which he replied.."I do them everyday". I was put on my back with my R side raised on a triangle shaped cushion. They did an ultrasound, and marked a spot. I was given a local, which burned only a tiny bit. THe radiologist then told me to hold my breath and lie still. He said I might feel some pressure, whch I really did not. He told me I would hear a "click" which I did. All the while he asked if I felt any pain, which I did not. He said again to hold my breath, and I heard another click. THen he said he was done and that it was over. I never felt a thing. I couldn't believe it. No shoulder pain, Nothing. I can only assume that it was the skill of the Dr doing it. I would not like to have this done again, but if I did have to, I wouldn't be the basket case I was the day before yesterday. I hope this helps. Oh, the reason for the biopsy in the 1st place is they think I have auto immune hepatitus. The whole thing took maybe 7 minutes, and that included the ultrasound.

laoks9999 · 10-05-2008, 02:36 PM

Thank you so much for your detailed response...it's great to finally get some help here! I have a biopsy scheduled for the end of the month and like you did, I am stressing about it. Your reply will help calm my nerves. I was going to ask to be knocked out too but I assume I will get the same response you did.

Can I ask you some additional questions?

Did they cut you open at all? How many needles are we talking about? (I'm not a big fan of needles). I read that they make an incision before inserting the needle...true? Were you kept in the hospital/surgery center for a few hours after for observation? Did you have to deal with bleeding or anything like that?

Why did they decide on a biopsy for you? I assume your liver enzymes were elevated. Did you have a negative ultrasound? Do you know your results yet?

Thanks and good luck.

rubyrubyd · 10-05-2008, 03:06 PM

I found out after it was all over that yes, a "nick" was made in the skin. the only needle I felt was the local, and it just burned a little. The Dr. kept asking me if I felt anything. I asked why. He said that if I did, he would give me some more local. No stitches or anything like that needed. Like I said, the whole thing took only about 7-8 minutes, including the ultrasound, and the nurse talking to me. No bleeding. I was kept in the Hosp. for about 2.5 hours afterwards. They are of the opinion that I have auto immune hep. Original ultrasound-normal, MRI - normal, just wacked out liver function tests. Prior to my biopsy, I was reading everything I could find online. Some of it scared me to death. That is the reason I put this post up. I am the biggest baby in the world when it comes to stuff like this, and all I can say is that it didn't hurt. I made myself and everyone around me miserable leading up to this just out of sheer fright. I am NOT a good patient. I don't know if Doctors accept "tips", but I will at least send mine a thank-you card!

laoks9999 · 10-05-2008, 03:51 PM

Thanks again for your quick response. I am like you - reading online all the time, alert to every symptom, etc. My doctors must think I'm nuts but I feel something is going on.

I feel much better about doing this now knowing what you have told me. Some final questions for you.....So did you get your official results? If not please keep me posted. I am curious what I might have. What were your AST/ALT levels in your blood test before the biopsy? How old are you? I am 34. I am having mine done in Newark...curious if we have the same doc, although I doubt it. Finally, did you have any symptoms that led to your eventual biopsy?

Thank you so much again and sorry for all the questions!