Fibroscan?

[Owlie]

Hi,

I have just been sent an appt for an ‘US elastography of liver’, is this a fibroscan? If so do I need to ask anything in particular? I will ask for a copy of the results.

I’m pretty stressed at the moment as I haven’t actually seen the consultant as such and so far have had blood tests but not been told or sent the results, and now this which I’m worried about.

Any reassurance/advice greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Owlie

[Hidden]

Yes it's a FibroScan. You should fast overnight. When I had mine I asked the technician for the result & he told me the median score (4.3 kPa) but indicated that he'd deny doing so if queried by his superiors. I picked up the report the next day in a large envelope that had "CONFIDENTIAL To Be Opened By Referring Doctor" written on it in big red letters. Since it's my report and I know more about FibroScans than my GP I opened it & studied the results! When I next see my GP I might mention the result & explain to him what a FibroScan is & encourage him to send his patients with abnormal LFTs for one!

[Owlie in reply to Hidden]

Hi Edward,

Thanks for the quick reply! I know we can’t discuss results etc, however I have to wait over a month before I have an appt to see a Doctor. Do you know where I can get an understanding of any score I’m given? Otherwise I will be a total wreck for that time.

Thanks,

Owlie

[Hidden in reply to Owlie]

The slides in the link below give a comprehensive guide to understanding FibroScans. Slide 12 shows the different FibroScan values from normal to fibrosis to cirrhosis.

slideshare.net/shaffar75/li...

[Owlie in reply to Hidden]

Thank you!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Love this response. Amazing how we have to explain to a doctor what a fibroscan is and should be interpreted. It scares me actually. They link Edward sent is a really good breakdown of how to understand it all. Keep in mind the score can change over time and it may not. The results are best used in diagnosis when multiple tests are done over intervals of time.