What would a biopsy tell me that ultrasound wont?

[Mendeemoo]

Went to my first appointment earlier this week, and the Dr. office is in the process of getting me set up for Sovaldi/Rib/Peg. I also have a liver sono scheduled for Monday. My Hep doc didn't feel it was necessary for a biopsy since I was going to treat anyway. I kind of had that same thought... what's the point? However, now I am second guessing my self, and think that the biopsy would tell me if or how much liver damage there is? Will a sono also tell me any damage info? Or is it just checking the size?

Thanks!

[rainbowray]

Hi,
I had several ultra sounds thru the years and all came with results that the doctors said not to worry. My last one was about 6 months ago. I then had a fibrosure blood test that is just as good as a biopsy, and showed stage 3 fibrosis bridging. Starting to get serious now. So a sono is not detailed. I then got a fibroscan and it showed the same results=stage 3 bridging. These are newer tests that a biopsy which can be painful and some risk, is not needed. It is old school in my opinion. The fibrosure and fibroscan are cheaper too. Ask about these tests, unless you think a biopsy is for you. I had one over 30 years ago, not fun.

[lporterrn]

I worked with a world class hepatologist who believed that as long as you were going to get treated, you might as well skip the biopsy - you can always do it later if treatment doesn't work. There are lab tests that can tell us what's going on as well. However, the biopsy can reveal fatty liver disease, iron stores, and other liver problems, Still, there are ways to surmise these problems.