Liver biopsy: Is it accurate? What will it tell?

@cwilliamson77, I want to drop in today and check on you. I can understand your exhaustion. I used to teach, and when I was not feeling well (as in your current are not feeling well) I used to be totally exhausted. The stress and worry of the unknowing didn't help either. I am wondering if you have a PCP (primary care doctor) who can give you some information about the long period. Have you any idea of when or if you will be undergoing a liver biopsy?

I have to call my gyno today. I do have a Primary also. As far as biopsy I go back to my Gastro July 3.
Thanks so much for checking on me. I greatly appreciate it!!

@cwilliamson77, You have a good plan. Let me know if I can be of any help as you prepare for the biopsy. I have had several myself. And I am happy to share information about the procedure, or answer any questions about me experience.

Was told i had H/E while in hospital without ct or mri. I've been in hospital often since October 2018

Hi @racing212,

I’d like to invite @techi @godlygal @teresatopeka @amyintucson @kltchrmn, as they have talked about experiences with hepatic encephalopathy (HE).
I’d also like to quote @contentandwell who offered a very apt explanation about HE in a previous discussion –
“Hepatic encephalopathy...which is somewhat common with liver problems, or at least it is with cirrhosis. It is confusion and irrationality that is caused by the liver not filtering out toxins, specifically ammonia, so it travels to your brain and causes HE.”

Here are more details from the American Liver foundation:
https://liverfoundation.org/for-patients/about-the-liver/diseases-of-the-liver/hepatic-encephalopathy/
@racing212, how are you treating the HE at present?

Honestly yes! I have drunk heavily in the past and not so far past. I’m overweight. My fibroscan came back moderate to severe. But due to past labs (had to get a new Gastro as last one was lame honestly) my gastro is thinking alcoholic, but possible autoimmune causes as well. His receptionist called me after last labs and said may need biopsy. Will see. I’m always exhausted. Right now (and this may be tmi) I’m on day 13 of my period, but not sure if that could be related in anyway. I’m 41. I have a 9yo daughter and 3 yo son. Will see how it all plays out and go with the flow.
Thanks so much for your input and help.

Taking lactoluse 60 mils 3 time a day

@racing212 That's a very large dose of lactulose that you are taking. When I was being discharged from the hospital after an HE episode put me in there, the hospitalist told me to take that large a dose and I basically could not leave the bathroom. It is one of the few medications that the patient has to titrate themselves to determine the dosage that is effective but not overkill. I settled on about 35 ml three times a day.
When I saw a hepatologist she put me on xifaxan and for almost a year I was able to eliminate the lactulose. Then I had another HE episode so I had to add lactulose back in.
You have been in the hospital for a very extended amount of time. Is that due to HE episodes?
JK

I have fatty liver but labs not bad at this point. I take a lot of necessary meds so I am tested often. I am told by Gastro that patients don’t feel pain in the liver but I question that. My mom had preliminary biliary chirrosis which might be hereditary also. I am about 50 lbs overweight. Lost 25 lbs before cancer surgery but gained it all back plus some. At 73 y/o I am in good shape compared to most of my peers. Trying to live each day with a thankful heart.

@musicflowers4u I had fatty liver which led to NASH cirrhosis but I never had pain! I did have other symptoms that were never thought to be connected to my liver. It was HE episodes that finally led to my diagnosis.

@racing212 Have any dietary restrictions been suggested? I know that animal protein is more apt to contribute to HE. My hepatologist did not tell me to eliminate that type of protein but to limit it. I discovered that when I had an HE episode, I had very frequently had beef the night before.
I think I must have misunderstood you, I thought you were still in the hospital but from your latest post I assume that you are not.
JK