I second the biopsy. It's really the best way to really see if it really is true.  I've also had a few. The first one was almost 30 yrs. ago. It was me and the doctor and a big triggered syringe type device. It suck out a piece and he squirted it in a peatry dish  the next two were a bit more technical. I had a second opion on th last one at Tuffs and the results were very differant. tuffs showed a much more advanced staged liver 5 - 6. Take it a day at a time. Best of luck. Brian 

I had 1, should get another. Many, many MRI's and ultrasounds.

Hi Ted,

I would definitely get a biopsy ( I've had 3). Cheers.

Hello evreryone,

I was diagnosed with HCV in Sep.genotype 1 and cirrhosis stage 4. I never did have a biopsy, so I asked the doctor how he  knew for sure,he said he could tell by my blood work. When I researched cirrhosis stage 4,it seems to be as bad as you can get. 85% of these people need liver transplants. I don't have any of the symtoms,no yellowing or swelling.I just don't think I'm in that stage,I fell pretty good.

At week 20 was taken off treatment due to low blood platelets....peg...Inciv.....rib.....

So my question is can a doctor realy tell if you have cirrhosis stage 4 just through blood work?

Thanks Mallani,

I got that 85% from some randome web sight.( if it's on the internet it's got to be true... )

So would you ask to have a biopsy done ? That's the direction i'm leaning to, I want to know for sure,right? 

Hi Ted,

Cirrhosis means Fibrosis stage 4 so you don't use both terms. You just say cirrhosis, or F4, or Stage 4.

You cannot accurately diagnose cirrhosis from blood tests. Some doctors seem to believe in FibroTest type tests. You need a liver biopsy and/or Fibroscan for an accurate diagnosis. Blood tests like bilirubin, albumin, prothrombin time, reversal of AST/ALT ratio, platelet count can be used to monitor cirrhosis.

I have had cirrhosis for at least 5 years. All of the blood tests mentioned above are normal, so my cirrhosis is well compensated at present.

I'm not sure where you got your figure '85% need transplants'. Progress of cirrhosis is variable . The progress is slowed dramatically by SVR, and in 60% of patients, there can be improvement in liver damage. The risk of HCC is very real, but again this risk is greatly decreased by SVR.

Cirrhotics can lead a normal life for 20 years- others can progress to liver failure and HCC.

Hello evreryone,

I was diagnosed with HCV in Sep.genotype 1 and cirrhosis stage 4. I never did have a biopsy, so I asked the doctor how he  knew for sure,he said he could tell by my blood work. When I researched cirrhosis stage 4,it seems to be as bad as you can get. 85% of these people need liver transplants. I don't have any of the symtoms,no yellowing or swelling.I just don't think I'm in that stage,I fell pretty good.

At week 20 was taken off treatment due to low blood platelets....peg...Inciv.....rib.....

So my question is can a doctor really tell if you have cirrhosis stage 4 just through blood work?