Autoimmune hepatitis*

@luserm1, I don't mean to confuse you, and I'm not avoiding your question, but, I don't remember ever being given a 'stage'. When prednisone treatment for possible AIH proved non-effective, I was tested and diagnosed with PSC. I was told that the PSC would develop into cirrhosis. My GI monitored me with 3 month labs and checkups until my PSC developed into cirrhosis. In my case, with a progressive disease, that took years to happen. (And I needed a liver/kidney transplant in 2009)
I think there is something about the individual LFT readings over time that helps the doc to direct the treatment as you are being looked at for AIH or PBC.

Here are a few Mayo links that I want to share with you.
Cirrhosis- http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cirrhosis/home/ovc-20187218

Primary Biliary Cirrhosis- http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/primary-biliary-cirrhosis/basics/definition/con-20029377

Autoimmune Hepatitis- http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/autoimmune-hepatitis/home/ovc-20167530

I do hope that you find some information to help you prepare for your appointment next week. have you prepared a list of questions that you want to ask the doctor? How can we help you with that?
Rosemary

Thank you this information is quite helpful. In my case, my LFT's have also been elevated for years (2004) but I was told i had a fatty liver and diet was the best course of action and no medications were prescribed. This diagnosis of cirrhosis just happened recently in the last 6 months. Though the cirrhosis is severe , my liver is still functioning at this point. However, its imperative to find out what has and is causing the cirrhosis. That's where I am at right now. Again, thank you for the information and the links. After I research I may have some questions. God bless

Thank you and I'll share whatever new information I come across of after I see this liver specialist this coming week.

Hi @luserm1,

I hope all went well at your appointment. Do let us know if you have any questions or updates; we'd love to hear back from you.

Hi , I saw the first liver specialist last week and he reviewed all my labs, elastrography and biopsy results. He told my lab work and biopsy results were inconsistent with AIH. He stated that the cirrhosis was caused by fatty liver. Since there is no treatment for fatty liver, he told me that watching my diet and exercising "should" keep it from progressing. He told me that "for some reason my liver was still functioning " though I'm at a stage 4 and so I did not need a liver transplant.

I'm right now waiting to be seen by the second liver specialist. I'll update you all as soon as I'm seen. God bless

@luserm1, I been thinking of you and I just wanted to drop in and say , Hi. I hope that you are finding some answers to help you move forward.
Rosemary

Hi Rosemary, well I saw the second liver specialist and he’s not ready to rule out AIH. He’s going to send the biopsy tissue samples to get analyzed at UT Southwestern in Dallas. I return to see him in December for the results. In the meantime, I need to get an US next month to monitor for liver cancer. Apparently I’ll need to get one every 6 months. So I guess it’s nack to waiting again.
Thanks for following up with me.

@luserm1 - It is wonderful to hear that you liver doctors are giving you a complete work-up and also monitoring you closely!
Waiting is not fun! As far as the 6 month US (ultra sound) - at least they are noninvasive procedures.

While you are waiting, did these liver doctors make any medicine recommendations to your GI?
Hope you are feeling okay.
Rosemart

No not yet. I have an appointment coming up with my GI so I’m going to ask then.

@luserm1, It sounds like your doctors are working together on this!
Keep in mind, that correct diagnosis can often take multiple tests that compare results over a period of time.
Rosemary