Fibroscan results

[Cobwebs]

My fibroscan score was 12. I have tried to find out exactly what that means but my GP didn't even know what a fibroscan is!! My consultant is a horrible man. An ultrasound showed some damage but I gather it isn't as definitive as the fibroscan. Can anyone shed any light? Thank you.

[Hidden]

A FibroScan score of 12 puts you in the F3 category (9.5 kPa to 12.5 kPa) indicating that you have severe fibrosis and are on the cusp between severe fibrosis and cirrhosis. If you don't take steps to avoid further stressing your liver you'll likely wind up with cirrhosis (if you don't already have it).

With a score like yours you need to abstain from alcohol for the rest of your life, avoid all drugs other than prescribed drugs (and your doctor should review any prescribed drugs you take in view of your FibroScan score) get your weight into the healthy weight range (BMI 19 - 25), exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet with a view to helping your liver to reverse some of the fibrosis before it's too late.

You need to become health conscious starting now and stay that way for the rest of your life if you want to avoid a fate I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy!

[Cobwebs in reply to Hidden]

My BMI is 20.5 and my diet is very healthy. Exercise is another matter though. Agoraphobia, social anxiety and vertigo don't help!!

Ah, alcohol. I have been bad and I have been good. I know I need to stop completely and I know I can do it. Family are mostly not supportive but I have some good friends.

A family member saw fit to report me to the DVLA as being unfit to drive. She cited vertigo and drinking. My consultant and GP said there was no reason why the vertigo should stop me driving. And, I have never had a single point on my driving licence. While I was suicidal, I had to drag myself out of bed to fight to get my licence back. I lost my wonderful husband to Leukaemia five years ago. He was my best friend and only 47. I find happy things to remind me. And our sons are top of that list. He would be so proud of them.

The only tablets I am taking are sage tablets for the menopause plus Vit B and thiamine. I do have diazepam but probably take half a dozen a year.

Thank you, Edward. I am getting there!!

🤓

[JimmyJackson in reply to Hidden]

You seem knowledgable on fibroscan results I have been trying for over 2 years to find out what mine of 22 means . The cause in my case is not alcohol as I have never drunk much so the reason is also a mystery

It was only discovered as I had bowel cancer some 3 years ago

Could I ask the source of your knowledge re fibroscan scores

[Hidden in reply to JimmyJackson]

There's plenty of information on the internet. For example in the link below a doctor presents a series of slides that explain the technicalities of FibroScans with slide 12 showing the cut-offs for the different categories for liver stiffness F0 through to F4. Your score of 22 puts you in the F4 category. A specialist should have been able to determine why your liver became damaged by doing tests and you answering questions about your past history. Alcohol is only one of a number of different possible ways in which a liver can become cirrhotic.

slideshare.net/shaffar75/li...

[JimmyJackson in reply to Hidden]

Many thanks for your help

[chrisw740]

Hi Cobwebs. Fibroscan scores are not always straightforward. The cause of the liver injury very much determines interpretation of the score. For example if alcohol was the cause your score would represent F2 mild to moderate fibrosis - a transitional state that can (with the right care) largely resolve itself or bed in as permanent scaring. Also, as only liver stiffness is measured by a fibroscan, the score needs very careful interpretation alongside other test results. i.e. why is the liver stiff and is it telling us the same things as imaging tests are (ultrasounds for example) is it temporarily still because it is inflamed. Th

[chrisw740 in reply to chrisw740]

Sorry I should add that my score went from 35 to 9kpa in 14 months. No miracle cure just a less angry/inflamed liver. So, a fibroscan is a brilliant way to quickly determine liver stiffness but agreeing what it means should be part of a bigger picture ...after the cause of liver injury is removed or at least well managed. Either way a raised score is cause for concern requiring intervention and monitoring and often a big change to a liver friendly live.

[Cobwebs in reply to chrisw740]

They want to check again in a few months. This is a bit of a nightmare for me because of generalised anxiety disorder I have to get someone to take me to the hospital. Our local hospital doesn't have a fibroscan machine.

Thanks, Chris. 😙

[chrisw740 in reply to Cobwebs]

Well you've had a really tough time and anxiety can be exhausting and then some. As Edward has said, with the right changes you're likely to be able to turn this around and lower that score. It's good that they want to repeat the fibroscan. Even if you are F2/F3 it's resolvable with the right care. Many Hepatologists see fibroscans as an additional piece of information rather than a definitive diagnostic on its own. Was your ultrasound showing significant change, consistent with other test results? Either way try and stay strong as much can be improved upon. Cx

[Cobwebs in reply to chrisw740]

Ah, well, I hadn’t had an ultrasound on my liver before. Only my gall bladder because I had some pesky stones. The potential problems were picked up with blood tests that I had to get my licence back. One in particular was scarily high but that has fallen dramatically. It was a new one that my GP dropped in to the mix. I will find the paperwork and let you know! x

[kurtymac]

Hey Cobwebs,

You received some great feedback, Edward's post was very thorough. I'd like to echo avoiding alcohol at all costs, and all toxic substances. Obviously, weight isn't an issue, nor are your eating habits, so the enemy here is obviously alcohol. Some excise is good, but don't go full out, because if you do have cirrhosis or even with server fibrosis, portal pressure is increased. This will have severe consequences, risk of a bleed out, hernia, ect. There is a chance for full recovery, the numbers aren't good. However, if you just recently stopped drinking, inflammation can and will inflate the KPA of the fibroscan reading. A few months will tell you the real story if you stop drinking. You're at a point, where the drinking needs to end forever, I know you know this. MRE is also a very good test, if you get the chance to have one of those, they are the top of the line test for liver cirrhosis and fibrosis. Fibroscan will do just fine too in a few months, normally 3-6 month down the road.