Fibro scan?

[Justme1983]

This is going to come across as a very unintelligent question but here it goes.

What is a fibro scan and how do I know if I have had one. I know that sounds ridiculous but I have had so many tests. Why haven’t I heard my doctor speaking of this when I have a liver specialist. All I have to do is not drink alcohol, take diuretics. Limit my salt intake I have have regular blood test every 3 months as well a ultrasound every 6 months. Why have only heard of the fibro scan here. Also does anyone know what a MELD score is. I think that’s what the doctor call it. .. sorry for my uneducated questions.

[Hidden]

MELD means Model for End Stage Liver Disease. It's basically a combination of factors that lead to a "score" for how unwell someone is/in need of a transplant - I think. The higher the score the sicker the patient and the greater the urgency - I think. UKELD is the British version. A fibroscan is an ultrasound type procedure which is non-intrusive/invasive which looks at the elasticity of the liver and can assess (can't think of another word!) possible fattiness and scarring. Gel is applied pre-procedure - do you remember that part?

I don't think your question is at all unintelligent. I left hospital after a life saving admission in September 2018. I was given very very little information - a prescription, some written advice on diet and a list of AA meetings (my condition was caused by alcohol). I was really frightened and bewildered. I've got nothing but respect and gratitude for my life being saved by the NHS but learning to live with liver disease was greatly helped by the British Liver Trust and a Facebook support group.

To be fair other people - including members here - have said they were given loads of great advice on discharge and ongoing. Some of us are unlucky I guess.

I hope this helps. Obviously I'm just a fellow patient - no expert!

[Justme1983 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply.I’m assuming that ultra sound I get is a fibro scan. But it says in the forms it’s a US abdomen complete. I guess I’ll have to ask. luckily I don’t register with a MELD score according to my doctor. I know that’s a good thing. Also, do you mind telling me what NHS is. Thank you for our help.

[Hidden in reply to Justme1983]

Oh sure - I assumed you were in the UK! The NHS - National Health Service. Our healthcare system. Keep asking questions. I sometimes get the impression medical professionals like the mystery but you're entitled to know x, y and z.

[Justme1983 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. No I’m in Canada 🍁

[AyrshireK in reply to Justme1983]

That sounds like you are just having a normal ultrasound scan rather than a fibroscan - a fibroscan takes 10 readings across the liver - the 10 readings reveal a score for kPa (liver density) and a score for CAP (fatty content of liver). An average/median of the 10 scores is then calculated and based on that they can deduce how fibrous the liver is and what degree of fatty change there is.

What is your actual diagnosis - I see you've had ascites and such so have you formally been diagnosed with cirrhosis. I know that my hubby who has had a cirrhosis diagnosis since 2012 has never had a fibroscan either - his liver consultant saying that as we already know he has F4 fibrosis/cirrhosis then fibroscan will add nothing to the diagnosis. I know that some people seem to get them to monitor 'improvements' but full on cirrhosis that has been at decompensated state is never going to fully go away.

The minimum level of monitoring for a patient with cirrhosis would be 6 monthly bloods, 6 monthly ultrasounds and some form of variceal screening (my hubby has this every year as he previously had a massive bleed and 42 varices banded).

From the bloods they'll calculate your MELD score (or UKELD) score in the UK which can give doctors some guidance on how poorly someone is and is used to be used as a guide to life expectancy/need for transplant. In the UK a score of UKELD 49 is the minimum needed for t/p listing unless t/p is due to liver cancer when a person can have need for t/p but UKELD/MELD not be too high.

Katie

[Justme1983 in reply to AyrshireK]

Thank you for shedding some light on the matter its helps me make more sense of all of this👍 Hopefully I will figure out the right questions to ask because the doctors have been vague when probing them for more information. I’ll have to try harder!Thanks again😊

[Aotea2012]

I guess the question is how do you feel? Are you feeling unwell? The advice you’ve been given on avoidance of alcohol and regular blood screening and ultrasound is pretty standard. I had loads and loads of tests when I was diagnosed in hospital following an admission for a deep rooted infection. I had no idea I had liver disease. My follow up has been blood tests, endoscopy and as well as advice from a dietician on my diet. My GP has also been helpful if I feel concerned about anything. I feel well, have avoided alcohol at all costs and eaten properly. Made sure I have enough protein. Exercised regularly and taken my meds. My bloods have returned to normal and whilst I have 2 grade 1 varices, these are not bleeding or showing any red flags. I’m not too keen to have many more tests to be honest. My consultant is pleased with progress and just tells me to keep doing what I’m doing. If you are concerned then either visit your GP or ring your specialists secretary to see if you could speak to them.

[Justme1983 in reply to Aotea2012]

Thank you, I actually feel pretty awesome but I get concerned when I don’t understand things concerning my help now that I have been alcohol free for some time. It have been a year and a few months now.I wished I had asked more questions when I had the chance but I didn’t know what to ask or really what was going on. The doctor and specialist just keep saying my levels are looking good from my blood test and my ultrasounds show no further damage but not looking better either. I know I will never be the same. But I feel great now and I guess I that should be what really matters. I am just curious I guess. I really should know more about something that is so serious as Cirrhosis.

Thanxs for your advice. I’ll ring the doctors on Monday.