Confusing Test Results

[Hanc]

Hi All,

It's been a while, let me start this post with the caveat that I am not asking for a medical interpretation of any of my results (I have talked to a Hepatologist), but maybe some thoughts on my situation. I have been alcohol free for 2 months and recently I have had LFTs and an Abdominal Ultrasound both of which came back normal. I was also waiting for a Heptology appointment and a Fibroscan, both of which I have had as of yesterday. The Hepatologist which I saw performed the Fibroscan which was 5 Kpa and he said that this was in the green zone (his words) and no fibrosis (he had also access to the my LFTs and Ultrasound results). So with all of this I should be reassured and happy, but this is where the confusion comes in, because I was not expecting to get the Fibroscan done so quickly I booked to have a Private ELF test done (because we don't have access to the ELF test in Northern Ireland, I had to have a private Nurse take the blood sample and send it off to a Laboritary in England). The results have come back at 9.2 which is at odds with all the other results and the Hepatologists report and this has got me quite confused and worried because I now think there may be some damage now. I have had 7 Fibroscans done dating back as far as 2011 (over an 8 year period) and none of them have been above 5.6 Kpa and have been done by different operators in different parts of the country, all showing no fibrosis, as have my LFTs and Ultrasound results over the same period. This ELF test seems to be out of place with all of my other results and I don't know what to make of it. I never got the chance to discuss it with the Hepatologist. I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts? I have recently read a few articles saying the ELF test is better at diagnosing serious fibrosis and cirrhosis with scores over 10.5 and less accurate at predicting mild to moderate fibrosis as compared to the Fibroscan. I also remember Owlie posting that he had an ELF score of 11.0 which came down to normal in 4 months and was wondering could other things affect the ELF score? One more thing that I think may be significant in affecting the ELF score is that the blood was drawn on a Friday and shipped over the weekend and didn't arrive to the Monday (72 hours), could this have affected the integrity of the sample? Sorry for the long post, just wondering if anyone had any thoughts. Thank you.

[Hidden]

If you struggle to understand test results it's probably best to talk to your GP or specialist who can explain things for you. And keep asking questions, the more interest you show them the more they will spend time keeping you informed. They are the people who are qualified to do so. No one here can, as results mean different things to different people and can be interpreted incorrectly.

No offence to any of the knowledgeable folk here but it's the docs you need to ask.

All the best

Laura

[Hanc in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your kind reply and great advice Laura, yeah results can be a funny thing, was just that one result which is at odds with the other results that confused me (that's not hard to do), all the other ones seem fine and the Hepatologist seemed to think so. It's just that he didn't see the ELF result as we don't do it here in Northern Ireland, so I don't know what he would think about it and as my G.P also thinks things are fine as regards to the results of the test she sent me for I don't think she will refer me to the Hepatologist again, (it was hard enough to get a referral in the first place as they are so busy), it is just that this one result seems at odds with all the others and was not used by the G.P or Hepatologist to form their diagnosis, so I don't know what to make of it. I know people here can't give medical advice but was just wondering if someone on here was slightly more knowlegable than me on the ELF test in regards to others as our Health Service don't use it yet. Thanks as always for your kind advice and help Laura they are always much appreciated, hope you are doing well. Take care.

[Hidden in reply to Hanc]

Thanks Hanc. I hope you do manage to get the answer you need. All the best 😀

[Hanc in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Laura, much appreciated. All the best

[Hidden]

Hi Hanc

laura has the right idea I think.

I just wanted to say GJ on not drinking for 2 months 👍👍.

Miles

[Hanc in reply to Hidden]

Thanks PiloMilo, appreciate that. All the best

[Hidden in reply to Hanc]

Yes well done 🤩

[Hanc in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Laura

[Hidden in reply to Hanc]

I wanted to say congrats as well. I know previously you were having a hard time with the drinking. Im glad your 2 months and going now! It will help you in all ways moving forward.

[Hanc in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Phoenix, much appreciated

[Liberty82 in reply to Hanc]

Hi there, great job on giving up alcohol. I too am in N.I and even though I have symptoms I couldn't get a referral from my gp, I had to have a private ultrasound and then I had a fibroscan at the BLT roadshow. All my tests came back normal which is great but I do still have symptoms which are hard to ignore. Could I ask how did you get the ELF test and how much it costs? If that's not too cheeky to ask 😊. It's just something I might consider in the future if my symptoms continue.

It all sounds very confusing but it's great that all your other tests have come back normal. I think if you continue with your abstinence you don't have anything to worry about. I will continue to be tee total too as I get too many nasty symptoms when I drink so even if the tests are telling me all is grand I know I should also listen to my body. Good luck with keeping off the demon drink! X

[Hanc in reply to Liberty82]

Hi Liberty, not cheeky at all, the ELF test was done privately by a company called Blue Horizon Medicals and cost around £160 (but I ahd to also pay £45 for a private Nurse to do the blood draw), all in all if I'd have known I would get the cancellation for the Fibroscan I would never have gone for the ELF test as it has caused me more worry and confusion (and money ) and I have since researched that ELF has limitations (age, time of blood draw, other conditions like inflammation, fatty liver, obesity, fibromylgia, rheumatoid arthritis etc, who is performing the algorythim and ELF test may not be that sensetive in the mild to moderate fibrosis grading), one specific test always has limitations and is best used in conjunction with other tests and interpreted by a professional (which I didn't get with the ELF test but did with the others). The tests you have had would more than likely give you a good picture and I doubt you would need another one, everything is normal (G.P is best to know), one random test probably would tell you no more and maybe confuse things. Hope this helps and thanks for your kind reply, yeah drink does not agree with me. All the best with staying off the drink too, look on the bright side no more hangovers!!

[Liberty82 in reply to Hanc]

That's interesting to know about the ELF test, thanks. I think at the moment I'll leave having any more tests done although I would like to know why I'm having symptoms. They are defo worse after certain meds or alcohol do I'm just trying to carry on with the changes I've made and hope they eventually fade. I've learnt so much about liver disease from all the lovely people on here and I'm hoping I can prevent ending up with any damage, it's something I'll be keeping an eye on . You sound like you're in a similar boat to me getting symptoms and wanting to get to the bottom of it. It's frustrating but we obviously don't have any kind of severe liver disease so good diet, plenty of excersise and no alcohol and hopefully our livers see us through to ripe old age! 😊

[Hanc in reply to Liberty82]

Yep, there are a lot of helpful and knowledgeable people on this forum who can offer a lot of support and advice. I have been told by the Hepatologist that it takes a while after you give up drinking for you to feel better as it takes time for your body to adjust to the changes and I'm pretty sure this is what you are experiencing, I know that and anxiety can play tricks with how you are feeling, also I cleaned up my diet too and I would say that it takes time for your body to adjust to not having certain foods that it is used to as well (like sugar etc,), so it can take a while to adjust to eating cleaner, I know the idea of feeling worse before you feel better sucks :-), but it kinda makes sense that it takes your body a while to adjust. The Hepatologist stressed to me that poor diet is superceding alcohol as the main cause of liver disease in the 21st century, so cleaning up the diet can only help in combating any damage. Hope you feel better soon and if you have any more questions don't hesitate to ask. All the best and take care