Liver biopsy - is it really necessary?!

I'm not a professional.
The tests you mentioned are the liver enzymes.
The liver cells make these enzymes and when the
liver cells become damaged, these enzymes can
leak out and go higher in the blood.

However, there are other blood tests that tell the doctor
alot more:
The liver function tests (Bilirubin, INR, Albumin, Pt, Ptt)
The liver viral tests (for Hepatitis A,B,C,etc)
The liver cancer tests (known as the alpha feto protein).

http://www.labtestsonline.org

There are different types of viral infections:
Mononucleosis, Hepatitis A,B,C,Etc.,
biliary infections, parasite infections, etc.
It depends on what type of infection you have.
If it is Hep A,B,C...they are viruses that enter the
body and go to the liver cells and uses them to
replicate itself. They are usually a progressive
virus.

You should be seeing either a gastroenterologist
or hepatologist.

Usually, blood testing is the first step in liver
disease. The second step is to look at the liver
itself to see if there is inflammation that caused
the liver to enlarge in size; if there is any growths
or tumors on the liver; if there is fat infiltration
inside the liver; if the blood is flowing well through
the liver; and more. This is usually done by an
ultrasound or Ct scan. A liver biopsy is an
invasive procedure and is usually done when the
doctor believes you have a fatty liver, Hepatitis C,
or possibly cirrhosis or extreme scarring of the liver.
However, with Hepatitis A,B,C...the blood work
has quite a rise in liver enzymes...not just a small
increase.

Here are some links on Hepatitis virus:
This is a slide show on the different types of
Hepatitis virus:
http://www.webmd.com/hepatitis/slideshow…
Here is a movie about the liver and how the virus affects it...
there is also other movies after this that cover different
virus:
http://hepatitis-c.emedtv.com/hepatitis-…

It is not possible, without seeing all your tests results,
knowing your medical background, what type of virus this
is...to be able to make an informed decision on having
a liver biopsy. I do know that the liver biopsy is the very
best test available to be sure of the amount of damaged
done, if it is in advanced stages, and if a problem can
be reversed.

You have the right to have a second opinion on this
if you are not comfortable with it.

Hope this info is of some help to you. Best wishes

caregiver to a liver transplant patient