fibroscan results range from 9 to 20!

[Hayley2904]

had a private fibroscan after worrying GGT blood results . Also nosebleeds, itching, pain in right abdomen and back right shoulder. Beed drinking for 40 years but stopped two weeks ago when i decided to have the scan as dr google was worrying me a lot. Specialist did bloods which were ok then the fibroscan I had paid for ‘just in case’. He did 30 measurements and was clearly very worried after seeing what he called very strange results. CAP is 194 and I am not overweight. but KPA median is 10.1. HOWEVER what he was concerned by is that unlike other scans my results range from 9 through to 10, 12, 16, 17, and up to 22 depending on where he checked. He has sent me for a contrast MRI and muttered about possible tumours. I am panicking about the results

[MINTVCX]

"but KPA median is 10.1. HOWEVER what he was concerned by is that unlike other scans my results range from 9 through to 10, 12, 16, 17, and up to 22 depending on where he checked."

It can be sometimes like that. Please check your IRQ/median %. If it less than 30% is considered reliable. If above this value not so much. Ask your hepatlogist about this.

[Grassroots112 in reply to MINTVCX]

Just going over my last fibro scan result which returned a 9kpa down from a 22.2kpa, my median % was 12% and I never quite understood that part, so I take it that is quite accurate? I can’t wait to find out where I’m at with my next scan which is in June or July I think, I hope to get it down to a 7, but was told I’d never get it any lower after the damage my drinking did to my liver.

[MINTVCX in reply to Grassroots112]

Well is statistics you have greater chance to bo more accurate. However I think here many people do not understand that false positive/negative results might happen even if there is no inflammation or other known factor. Fibroscan is not the only test that is always 100% accurate. In case of liver diagnosis is one of test and not conclusive. Helpful but alone not enough to say for example my kpa level decreases/increase couple points it is better/worse for sure with my liver. Always all tests should be considered by hepatologist.

[Hayley2904 in reply to MINTVCX]

iqr median 59% so is high

[MINTVCX in reply to Hayley2904]

I see in that case I would say not very reliable. When I check medical articles any results above 30% are not valid and not included.

[Hayley2904 in reply to MINTVCX]

Very interesting thank you

[MINTVCX in reply to Hayley2904]

Please see my Bio but remember every case is different. Drinking for 40 years (if regular) might have caused some damage for you liver (on the other hand not for sure). It is tricky.

[Hayley2904 in reply to MINTVCX]

thank you again for telling me that this score means the fibroscan results are unreliable. Stage 4 cirrhosis was basically the indication which after 40 plus years of drinking every evening (despite a very good diet) I almost expected sadly. Havent slept since I saw them .This gave me hope and positivity and my consultant just called with my contrast MRI scan results which show healthy liver function. Only issue was sludge in gall bladder which I am learning about , what a difference a day makes.

[Grassroots112]

I’m at a 9 having dropped from 22.2, I was hospitalised March 23 with what they told me face to face was alcohol hepatitis, but my charts stated likely decompensated cirrhosis. That was then, now they state likely moderate fibrosis (which is still scarring, but not cirrhosis). They obviously know their stuff my hep doctors as they wanted to see how my liver would look after a period of abstinence to see if it would heal which it has. Yours can too, but you will have to take care of how much you drink, your diet and exercise and may even have to stop drinking full stop, for a while or permanently. You’ve done the right thing in stopping drinking while your liver is obviously inflamed and damaged, the good news is you can reverse that or certainly get your score down to a much better level. You need to get some more checks done, however, to find out more and to see exactly where you are at right now. Good luck and take care.

[Hayley2904 in reply to Grassroots112]

Thankyou very much. My intention is to abstain. What other tests would you suggest? My gut feeling is that there is some scarring despite good MRI results so I do want to take any action I can

[Grassroots112 in reply to Hayley2904]

Fibrosis is scarring, but not quite cirrhosis so your liver if your fibro scan results are accurate, will be scarred. Regarding other tests, your doctor is the best person to ask about that, however there are a myriad of imaging and blood test available.

I've had an MRI, ultra sound and of course a fibro test. My MRI back in February 23 before I was hospitalised stated I had an extreme fatty liver, but no definite sign of cirrhosis. My first fibro scan suggested advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis. My last fibro scan suggests likely moderate fibrosis.

That and my bloods and LFTs all point to this being an accurate evaluation of my liver. However, it’s definately scarred, but to what extent?

I was given the option of a liver biopsy, but my hep doctor said there was no real need for it because even that itself wouldn’t add much to where my liver is at.

From everything I’ve learned about the liver, all the tools and techniques available to doctors cannot ever fully tell exactly how inflamed a liver is, how scarred a liver is, what stage the fibrosis is really at, or cirrhosis, or even how damaged a liver really is, not even a biopsy, only dissection under a microscope can do that.

That’s why they go off a totality of results like your bloods, imaging, LFTs etc. I would ask about your platelets, INR and your red and white blood cells as they can reveal a lot about the liver and can support any diagnosis from a biopsy, scan etc.

Again from what I understand, those with advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis tend to have really low platelet levels and a higher INR as well as lower white and red blood cells.

Your spleen and kidneys can also reveal a lot about your liver too, so it would be wise to get a kidney function test and a scan of your spleen if you can. Those with advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis tend to have larger spleens and less kidney function than normal, as well as enlarged or shrunken livers.

Again I can’t tell you not to drink, but if your liver is scarred like mine is, alcohol would be akin to pouring petrol over a fire. We want to be putting out that fire by lowering that cap score and kpa score, reversing any damage if we can or managing it, not adding to it, so if you’re abstaining that’s the kind of news your liver will be screaming YES if it could talk. You can do this, good luck and take care.

[Hayley2904 in reply to Grassroots112]

Thank you, very useful 😊