Elf results

[Yaz27]

Hi, January 2018 elf results of 10.4, told to lose weight, June 2018 weight lose of 4 stones my lovely gp let me have elf test again down to 8.7, forward to May 2019 another 4 stones lost (8 in total) now just a few lbs over my BMI, retest elf score back yesterday off 9.6, very confused as to why it's gone up, anyone have any ideas

[Hidden]

Did your GP tell you what state your liver is in? The main use of the ELF test is to identify liver fibrosis, if markers are used then it can also identify fatty liver. You doctor should tell you what state your liver is in.

[Yaz27 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Richard, told by hospital liver fibrosis 10.4 elf test, been told before this fatty liver, told if I didn't want it to get worse (cirrhosis) had to lose weight that was February 2018, my gp repeated test June 2018 because I was freaking out and had lost 4 stone by then elf test 8.7 brilliant got better weight loss working, May 2019 go did yearly check (not hospital) and it's come back 9.6, I've lost a further 4 stone (8 in total) so am very confused. Only meds I'm on is rivaroxaban (DVT 2017) and statins. I don't know if it's normal for test results to vary, still in the moderate figures but worried. I have yearly check up with hospital (liver) on Monday but to be honest they weren't much help last year.

[Hidden in reply to Yaz27]

Many thanks for clearing that up for me.

May I ask please Yaz, why are you taking statins? I am by no means qualified to advise you on your medication, but Statins can cause liver damage and could be the reason why your figures are climbing again. Also I'm not sure what the strength of the statins are, but it might be an idea to see if the dosage could be lowered.

I have just read that Rivaroxaban has been associated with a potential liver damage and hepatic injuries: patient.info/medicine/rivar...

Just remember that all medications end up passing through the liver at some point, and while they may be good at helping another particular part of you body i.e. the heart, it could be undoing all that excellent weight loss you've done and cause damage to your liver. I would see about seeking further information from a professional doctor or liver consultant with the view of looking for alternative medicines.

Good Luck.

[carefull1]

Hi Yaz27, ELF TEST (as per a study) may vary if blood was taken in morning or evening. Mine fluctuated but the consultant seem in concerned. Please stay positive, my gastro advised me that if it went above 11 then they will look into this

[Yaz27 in reply to carefull1]

Thank you carefull1, I had literally only half an hour before eat my breakfast so think this maybe made it higher (hoping so) have spent hours on the internet trying to find answer's but don't seem to get to far. Will be seeing liver Dr on Monday maybe get some answers then.

[Hanc in reply to Yaz27]

Hi Yazz, I too have had conflicting results between Fibroscan, Ultrasound and LFT results (all normal) and ELF test results. I have read a number of studies now where they say ELF test (like any single test) has its limitations and can be influenced by a number of other factors like age, inflammation, fatty liver, time of blood draw, other diseases like fibromylgia, rheumatoid arthyritis etc, and is not as specific at distinguishing mild to moderate fibrosis as it is at distinguishing significant and severe fibrosis/cirrhosis. So like any single test it has its limitations and (I think) needs to be taken in context with other tests to get the big picture and of course interpreted by a professional within the context of this. I wish you all the best. Take care.

[carefull1 in reply to Yaz27]

Please don't check results on internet

[Yaz27 in reply to carefull1]

Hi carefull1, not checking results just tried to find out if results can be affected by eating just before blood taken, no one told me whether or not it's ok to eat before.

[Hanc in reply to Yaz27]

Yeah all results as I said should be interpreted by a professional, within the proper context but all tests have their limitations as a Hepatologist pointed out to me, so best talk it over with your G.P etc. All the best

[HermioneGranger]

Hi Yaz27,

My reading suggests that the most reliable results are obtained from an ELF test after a fast of 8-12 hours (overnight.) Yours could very well have been off after having eaten 30 minutes before. I hope this helps ease your mind a bit.

Had you fasted before the 2 previous tests?

[Yaz27 in reply to HermioneGranger]

To be honest I can't remember but if I had eaten it would not have been as close as 30 mins, I have never been told to fast but I will make sure I don't eat anything next time. I am also thinking it's because I'd eat before hand nothing else seems to make sense

[Owlie]

Hi, if it helps, I asked the Nurse who does my regular blood tests and she said it doesn’t make any difference if you eat or not. My ELFs and LFTs have always been first thing in the morning and I have never had breakfast apart from once, but they have consistently lowered every time. One time, sorry I really wanted to say ‘at bandcamp’ there! My LFTs raised slightly but I had an ear infection. Owlie