Anyone had a liver biopsy for Primary Biliary Cholangitis diagnosis?

Posted by lbo615 @lbo615, Oct 27, 2022

Has anyone had a liver biopsy for PBC diagnosis? If so, what was your experience like? Did they put you out or did you feel pain?

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I have joined this group because i have been diagnosed with NAFLD for several years, never had any symptoms or abnormal lab, although i do some sort of inflammatory arthropathy and uveitis. I saw a GI dr recently who ordered a fibroscan and that showed steatosis grade 3 (67% or more of fatty change within the liver) and fibrosis stage 4. The CAP score was 400 and the kPa score was 18.2. These numbers are all high. The GI said she wasnt convinced i had cirrhosis and wanted to draw some additional lab which we are doing this week. Can anyone give me any feedback on this situation. Those results sound scary. I read that the fibro scan is relatively accurate when it is NAFLD, and less accurate in other conditions. I am 53 yr old female, non-drinker, have several other comorbidities.Most importantly i think is that i am on Ozempic currently and losing some weight.

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@stephkleier

I have joined this group because i have been diagnosed with NAFLD for several years, never had any symptoms or abnormal lab, although i do some sort of inflammatory arthropathy and uveitis. I saw a GI dr recently who ordered a fibroscan and that showed steatosis grade 3 (67% or more of fatty change within the liver) and fibrosis stage 4. The CAP score was 400 and the kPa score was 18.2. These numbers are all high. The GI said she wasnt convinced i had cirrhosis and wanted to draw some additional lab which we are doing this week. Can anyone give me any feedback on this situation. Those results sound scary. I read that the fibro scan is relatively accurate when it is NAFLD, and less accurate in other conditions. I am 53 yr old female, non-drinker, have several other comorbidities.Most importantly i think is that i am on Ozempic currently and losing some weight.

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@stephkleier None of us are doctors here so we can’t respond to your lab values. The physician is the best person to talk with. Have you made a follow-up appointment with the GI doc? If the doctor has a patient portal, you can ask your questions there.
Besides the lab values, are any new symptoms bothering you?

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@becsbuddy

@stephkleier None of us are doctors here so we can’t respond to your lab values. The physician is the best person to talk with. Have you made a follow-up appointment with the GI doc? If the doctor has a patient portal, you can ask your questions there.
Besides the lab values, are any new symptoms bothering you?

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I wasnt asking for advice, only if anyone has had a fibro scan before, trying to find similiar experiences, what others have experienced in regards to testing results, etc. Yes, i have spoke to the provider.

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@stephkleier

I wasnt asking for advice, only if anyone has had a fibro scan before, trying to find similiar experiences, what others have experienced in regards to testing results, etc. Yes, i have spoke to the provider.

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I haven’t seen my Gastroenterologist yet but he mentioned doing a liver biopsy because of the blood work. A positive AMA M2 mitochondrial IgG test is a very strong indication of PBC but they also ruled out autoimmune hepatitis and other things with some other antibody tests. This could possibly be some of the tests they will be doing for you. Good luck !

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I had a liver biopsy done. It was very painful for me. They numb you with deep shots all the way to liver. My radiologist did not wait long enough for the shots to take affect before shooting me with the biopsy gun. I actually told my Gastroenterologist if I ever had to have another one they would have to sedate me

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@lenab

I had a liver biopsy done. It was very painful for me. They numb you with deep shots all the way to liver. My radiologist did not wait long enough for the shots to take affect before shooting me with the biopsy gun. I actually told my Gastroenterologist if I ever had to have another one they would have to sedate me

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Oh no! I’m so sorry that happened to you…
Can I ask what the results were?

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@lbo615 -I had a liver biopsy done for PBC and Autoimmune Hepatitis. They put me on Fetanyl, but not all the way under because they needed to talk to me. I think I might of needed to hold my breath a little. They went in through my neck. I felt pressure, but it did not hurt bad. I was a little freaked out, but it all went fine and went pretty fast. Best to you!!

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@lbo615

Oh no! I’m so sorry that happened to you…
Can I ask what the results were?

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Confirmed PBC

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@ssapp1

@lbo615 -I had a liver biopsy done for PBC and Autoimmune Hepatitis. They put me on Fetanyl, but not all the way under because they needed to talk to me. I think I might of needed to hold my breath a little. They went in through my neck. I felt pressure, but it did not hurt bad. I was a little freaked out, but it all went fine and went pretty fast. Best to you!!

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Mine was ultrasound guided biopsy. They shot from under middle left breast to liver (Which is right side) with shots and biopsy needle

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I was diagnosed in 2021 with NAFLD,PBC, Cirrhosis so evidently had this for many years. I had a biopsy and got along fine with that . I’ve been on Urso since then with no problems and have ultrasounds every 6 months, EGD every year. I don’t have bad symptoms which I guess is why my elevated liver enzymes were not taken serious by my Dr. I get tired easily but at age 71 I guess that’s normal. Eat healthy, exercise and yes join us at PBC Foundation. 💚

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