Getting a fibroscan.....

[Gbsteve]

Hi everyone.

Apologies for the essay and if this had been asked before. I did a search but didn't really find anything that answered my question.

So several years ago I went to the gp due to constant heartburn, abdomen pain just below my right ribs and the fact that I have a lot of family history of stomach cancer. I had various tests and all i was told was that my liver was a little fatty according to the ultrasound which was pretty normal and to take omeprazole for the heartburn. I'm 6ft2 and 17 stone so I am overweight but carry it pretty well, I'm stocky and don't carry it overly around my waist.

So anyway over time the abdomen pain has come and gone but has been a lot more regular recently. I researched a bit as originally I was told the fatty liver was pretty common and came across NAFLD so went to my gp who sent me for another ultrasound and a full set of bloods. They showed fatty liver and slightly irregular enzyme results for the bloods.

I've had a chat with my GP who's going to try and refer me to a gastrologist for a fibroscan but she thinks it'll be unlikely due to my bloods being only slightly irregular.

I'm currently on a diet and appreciate a lifestyle change will probably be enough to sort this out but I've also read a lot of people who weren't able to get a fibroscan until they had caused some serious damage.

Is there anyway to get one on the NHS if my referral doesn't happen or can I get one privately.

Thanks

Steve

[Hidden]

Hello Gbsteve,

It is important to clarify your diagnosis with your doctor . Is it NAFLD?

I have included a link to our information regarding Non Alcohol Related Fatty Liver Disease. (NAFLD) and also our patient charter.

britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

britishlivertrust.org.uk/li...

May I suggest discussing testing for fibrosis again and referral to a hepatologist ?

The latest national guidelines from NICE ( National Institute for health and care Excellence) and the British Society for Gastroenterology (BSG) highlight the need for an assessment of liver fibrosis in patients with NAFLD. Fibrosis testing can take place via a scan called a FibroScan that estimates any stiffness or a specialised blood test called a Fib-4 score which is very easy for the GP to order.

If you have wish to talk things through, you can also call the nurse led helpline on 0800 652 7330 Mon -Fri 10am-3pm

Trust9

[Gbsteve]

Hi, Trust9

I was told by my GP that the ultrasound and blood test suggest it is NAFLD and that I have been referred to a specialist but due to my bloods being only slightly irregular it's unlikely I'll be seen by them. I've also been given some material on NAFLD from yourselves and I was just told to "loose a bit of weight" and that all will be ok however this had been an on going issue for several years now it feels like the GP is just passing it off as nothing.

It was only after doing a bit of research and having a friend that suffers from NASH that I started to get an idea of what a fatty liver is and originally I was told it's normal and that was from a different GP to the one I'm seeing now.

I will give the helpline a call to see what I need to progress the issue as literally all my GP has told me following all the tests I had is to loose a bit of weight and in 6 months come back if I still have the abdomen pain.