Does blood test show cirrosis? or do you have to do a biopsy???
runrex said
Jan 25, 2013
I had my fibro test done in 2008. It was covered by my cigna insurance. I had 0 fibrosis. I had a copay of $100. I also had a standard biopsy in 2004. also showed no fibrosis.
Uval951 said
Jul 14, 2012
Even FibroSURE test is not approved by FDA, my insurence (Horizon) had covered the test fully (no co-pay).
mallani said
Jul 14, 2012
Hi guys, Fibrosure and Fibrospect are blood tests measuring markers for liver fibrosis. They are not widely accepted. Fibroscan measures liver stiffness ( fibrosis) using an ultrasound beam. The results are very accurate for F 0-1, and for F 4 (cirrhosis) but for 1-3 there is some overlap. The results are given as a number in kilopascals . Mine is 31 kp so I have definite cirrhosis. The test is widely available in the US- do an internet search. Not approved, so you have to pay for the test. Not approved in Australia either, and I paid A$400 fot the test in 2008.
It really is a good test, and very useful for followup.
davesf said
Jul 13, 2012
Why do you think it's not used in U.S. if it's a superior scan to CT or Ultrasound? Lack of insurance reimbursement approval? Or can't test as many things as the other modalities so not cost effective to purchase another expensive piece of equipment perhaps?
Uval951 said
Jul 13, 2012
Davesf, you are right, HCV FibroSURE (fibroscan) test has not been cleared or approved by FDA. But FDA has determined that such clearance or approval is not currently required. LabCorp is regulated under CLIA of 1988 and is certified to perform high complexity testing.
davesf said
Jul 13, 2012
Working it's slow way through FDA approval.
Uval951 said
Jul 13, 2012
Why is no fibroscan in US? I made fibroscan in 2010 in NJ (LabCorp) and score was 0.75 equal F4 stage. The biopsy in 2012 confirmed F4. But MRI in 2010 did not indicate any cirrhosis marks.
52baddog said
Jul 13, 2012
Thanks for your responses. There is no fibroscan in the US. So, I think only
biopsy is the answer.
LanaiSurferGirl said
Jul 12, 2012
forgot to say that I did have a biopsy in 2001 which confirmed fibrosis.
LanaiSurferGirl said
Jul 12, 2012
biopsy and fibroscan are the best methods. My diagnosis of cirrhosis was based on the fact that I have portal vein hypertension and splenomegaly (enlarged spleen). The portal vein hypertesion is a condition in that the blood flow from the portal vein in the liver gets backflow in it and causes platelets to get caught in the spleen...making it enlarged. I have had low platelets in my blood tests ever since I can remember them checking this back in 1998.
This diagnosis is the doctor's best guess of the condition of my liver based on this physiology but I have not had a biopsy or fibroscan to confirm it....didn't think it is necessary and it doesn't change the fact that I have hep c.
The biopsy procedure can be very painful for some people as it was for me so I recommend the fibroscan if you can get away with that. Also, you can have an endoscopy done to check for esophageal varacies (another symptom of cirrhosis). Mine was clear so if it is clear it doesn't rule out cirrhosis but your chances of not having it are better. :)
good luck
Meghan
mallani said
Jul 12, 2012
There is no specific blood test for cirrhosis. I recently did a post regarding cirrhosis. The only definite diagnosis of cirrhosis can be made from a liver biopsy showing Grade 4 Fibrosis. A high Fibroscan reading gives a high probability.
52baddog said
Jul 12, 2012
I need to know if there is a blood test that shows cirrosis, or biopsy is the only way to find out?
I had my fibro test done in 2008. It was covered by my cigna insurance. I had 0 fibrosis. I had a copay of $100. I also had a standard biopsy in 2004. also showed no fibrosis.
Even FibroSURE test is not approved by FDA, my insurence (Horizon) had covered the test fully (no co-pay).
Hi guys, Fibrosure and Fibrospect are blood tests measuring markers for liver fibrosis. They are not widely accepted. Fibroscan measures liver stiffness ( fibrosis) using an ultrasound beam. The results are very accurate for F 0-1, and for F 4 (cirrhosis) but for 1-3 there is some overlap. The results are given as a number in kilopascals . Mine is 31 kp so I have definite cirrhosis. The test is widely available in the US- do an internet search. Not approved, so you have to pay for the test. Not approved in Australia either, and I paid A$400 fot the test in 2008.
It really is a good test, and very useful for followup.
Why do you think it's not used in U.S. if it's a superior scan to CT or Ultrasound? Lack of insurance reimbursement approval? Or can't test as many things as the other modalities so not cost effective to purchase another expensive piece of equipment perhaps?
Davesf, you are right, HCV FibroSURE (fibroscan) test has not been cleared or approved by FDA. But FDA has determined that such clearance or approval is not currently required. LabCorp is regulated under CLIA of 1988 and is certified to perform high complexity testing.
Working it's slow way through FDA approval.
Why is no fibroscan in US? I made fibroscan in 2010 in NJ (LabCorp) and score was 0.75 equal F4 stage. The biopsy in 2012 confirmed F4. But MRI in 2010 did not indicate any cirrhosis marks.
Thanks for your responses. There is no fibroscan in the US. So, I think only
biopsy is the answer.
forgot to say that I did have a biopsy in 2001 which confirmed fibrosis.
biopsy and fibroscan are the best methods. My diagnosis of cirrhosis was based on the fact that I have portal vein hypertension and splenomegaly (enlarged spleen). The portal vein hypertesion is a condition in that the blood flow from the portal vein in the liver gets backflow in it and causes platelets to get caught in the spleen...making it enlarged. I have had low platelets in my blood tests ever since I can remember them checking this back in 1998.
This diagnosis is the doctor's best guess of the condition of my liver based on this physiology but I have not had a biopsy or fibroscan to confirm it....didn't think it is necessary and it doesn't change the fact that I have hep c.
The biopsy procedure can be very painful for some people as it was for me so I recommend the fibroscan if you can get away with that. Also, you can have an endoscopy done to check for esophageal varacies (another symptom of cirrhosis). Mine was clear so if it is clear it doesn't rule out cirrhosis but your chances of not having it are better. :)
good luck
Meghan
There is no specific blood test for cirrhosis. I recently did a post regarding cirrhosis. The only definite diagnosis of cirrhosis can be made from a liver biopsy showing Grade 4 Fibrosis. A high Fibroscan reading gives a high probability.
I need to know if there is a blood test that shows cirrosis, or biopsy is the only way to find out?