Biopsy this week - Liver & Pancreas Disorders Message Board

moni57 · 09-28-2003, 09:39 PM

Hello all,
I am a 24 year old female. I have had elevated liver enzymes since at least mid-July. The numbers have ranged from 350-800, and the ratio of AST to ALT has been ~ 1:1. My Bili and alk phos were also elevated, but have both returned to normal. I have had numerous tests run (Hep panel, CTscan, Ultrasound, lots of bloodwork). However, the Docs cannot figure out what is going on with me. On Friday my AST and ALT were both well over 600. The GI specialist has determined I need a liver biopsy done to determine the cause of the elevated enzymes. I have a biopsy scheduled for this Wed Oct 1st.

Is it to early to consider a biopsy?
What can I expect from the biopsy?
Will I be in a lot of pain?
Will I need to take time off of work?
Will I scar?
Will they need to use stitches to close up the point of entry?

Any information on what I can expect will be helpful.

Thank you for your expertise!
~Moni

Gableyabley · 09-30-2003, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by moni57:
Hello all,
I am a 24 year old female. I have had elevated liver enzymes since at least mid-July. The numbers have ranged from 350-800, and the ratio of AST to ALT has been ~ 1:1. My Bili and alk phos were also elevated, but have both returned to normal. I have had numerous tests run (Hep panel, CTscan, Ultrasound, lots of bloodwork). However, the Docs cannot figure out what is going on with me. On Friday my AST and ALT were both well over 600. The GI specialist has determined I need a liver biopsy done to determine the cause of the elevated enzymes. I have a biopsy scheduled for this Wed Oct 1st.

Is it to early to consider a biopsy?
What can I expect from the biopsy?
Will I be in a lot of pain?
Will I need to take time off of work?
Will I scar?
Will they need to use stitches to close up the point of entry?

Any information on what I can expect will be helpful.

Thank you for your expertise!
~Moni

My daughter is suppose to have a biopsy too her doctor told me they do it as out patient you have to stay about four hours to make sure there is no bleeding.He also said that 1 in 300 people experence alot of pain in there right shoulder for about a week but that goes away.So if you do it on friday you should be alright to work on Monday.Get anouther opinion if you have any doubts.go to a Liver speacialist; I didn't know there was such a person but there is .I am taking my daughter to the mayo clinic to the hepitobillary clinic.All they work on is livers.Hope this helps and all comes out ok for you.

moni57 · 10-03-2003, 02:45 PM

the biopsy went ok. I am feeling mostly recovered. I have mild pain still in my liver and shoulder, but it is about the same as before the biopsy.

the bad part is waiting... I have to wait 2 weeks for results! Is this how long you have to wait?

thanks for your input,
Moni

GirlFromOregon · 10-07-2003, 02:57 PM

wow, i usually get the results from my liver biopsy the same day, but then again, i'm kind of a special case as i've had a liver transplant, so they usually put a rush on my results...

[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 10-15-2003).]

paborn · 10-16-2003, 08:18 PM

Moni57, When you had your ultrasound run, what was the diagnosis?