Liver biopsies are done by removing a small piece of tissue from the liver to check for damage or disease. There are three different types of liver biopsies that can be done. Preparing for a liver biopsy is the same no matter what type of biopsy you are having.
Why Have a Liver Biopsy?
If there is a difficult liver problem to diagnose with imaging and blood work, the doctor can turn to a biopsy to get information. It will also let the doctor know the degree and range of damage the liver has taken. This is called staging and it can help guide the treatment options available to the patient.
Preparing for a Liver Biopsy
A week before the biopsy the patient may be asked to stop their current medications that may affect the sedative or that may affect blood clotting. The types of medications that may be stopped are NSAIDs, blood thinners, antibiotics, antidepressants, diabetes medications, high blood pressure medications, dietary supplements, and asthma medicines. Blood is drawn to see how the patient will clot. There can be clotting problems in those with severe liver damage and risk bleeding after the procedure. A medicine to help in clotting may be given. Do not eat or drink for 8 hours before the biopsy. Driving will be restricted for 12 hours after the biopsy. You should arrange to have someone drive you to and from the surgery center.
Recovering from a Liver Biopsy
It takes about one to two days to recover from a biopsy. You should not lift anything heavy or exercise during this time. It may stay sore for about a week with pain tolerable with over-the-counter pain medications. Before taking any pain medication, ask your doctor if it will interfere with clotting.
Test Results
Test results from a liver biopsy will take a few days to get back from the lab. Your doctor will either call you back into the office or on the phone to discuss these test results and where you will go from there in your treatment.
Source: The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)