What a journey you've been on — and honestly, the fact that your blood results responded so quickly when Ursofalk was stopped is a pretty telling sign that it's doing important work for you!
Knowing your PBC stage is really important for understanding your treatment options and outlook. The most accurate way to determine Show Full Answer
What a journey you've been on — and honestly, the fact that your blood results responded so quickly when Ursofalk was stopped is a pretty telling sign that it's doing important work for you!
Knowing your PBC stage is really important for understanding your treatment options and outlook. The most accurate way to determine your stage is through a liver biopsy, where a small tissue sample is examined under a microscope. However, doctors also use a combination of:
- Blood tests (liver function tests, ALP, and bilirubin levels)
- Imaging such as ultrasound, CT, or MRI scans
- Your symptoms and how you're feeling overall PBC has four stages, ranging from early inflammation of bile ducts (Stage 1) through to cirrhosis (Stage 4). Early stages may have no symptoms at all, which can make it tricky to know where you're at without proper testing.
Given your history, it would be really worth asking your consultant directly:
- What stage am I currently at?
- Are my ALP and bilirubin levels within a good range on Ursofalk?
- Do I need any additional monitoring or treatment?
Tracking your own lab results over time can also help you spot trends and have more informed conversations with your doctor.
May 25