Hi all, I'm new to this, so this is my first post. I have just had a fibroscan via Synexus. They provided me with a print of the results and advised me to contact my GP. I showed the print to the Doctor, who in his words, could not make head nor tail of them. Could anyone please advise on how to interpret
CAP db/m IQR number MEDIAN
Ekpa IQR number MEDIAN
Thank you
Michael
You haven't actually gotten the scores there. You should have a median (average) CAP score and a median (average) kPa score. These would be numbers.
They will have taken 10 readings across your liver with each one providing a score for CAP (fatty liver reading) and kPa (liver density reading). The average or median of all these scores i.e. one for CAP and one for kPA would reveal how fatty your liver is and if there is any fibrosity.
Without the numerical values it's no wonder your doctor couldn't tell you anything because if that's all you have then the scores are actually missing.
Katie
CAP 113 Ekpa 10.8
Thank you, for your reply Katie.I hope these figures help.Many thanks Michael
CAP is steatosis or amount of fat in the liver -
CAP Score Steatosis Grade Amount of Liver with Fatty Change
238 to 260 dB/m S1 11% to 33%
260 to 290 dB/m S2 34% to 66%
Higher than 290 dB/m S3 67% or more
SO your 113 CAP is brilliant and would indicate little to no fatty change.
There is then the kPa score which records liver density of fibrosity and it has a score ranging from 0-75 kPa but different liver illnesses have differing bars/cut offs where they indicate changes in the liver density.
Fibroscan on its own is not such a good tool in that it can't actually tell the difference between actual fibrous tissue and ongoing inflammation SO it should be looked at along side other results like blood tests to see if you have any liver inflammation because if you do then the kPa score can be falsly elevated.
You would need to know what has caused any fibrosity to deem which bar on the fibroscan score chart to read. There are two fibroscan score charts released by the team who developed the technology & i'll add them below.
The charts show where a kPa score sits on a bar which indicates degrees of fibrosity - F0 Normal Liver, F1 Mild Fibrosis, F2 Moderate Fibrosis, F3 Significant fibrosis with bridging a.k.a. Incomplete Cirrhosis, F4 Cirrhosis.
If you have liver concerns then your GP should refer you on to someone who can carry out further investigations. I take it this scan was done privately and sadly that reflects the difficulty of going for a scan without interpretation and without the more complete picture being known i.e. bloods, other tests, medical history etc.
Hope that helps a bit, any further questions please ask away.
Katie
Median does not mean average. Median is the factor in the middle from smallest to largest. The term for average is the Mean which is very different from the median.
My father in law have fatty liver problem. His CAP value is 326 db/m, K (pa) value 60.6 and ALT(SGPT) value 48 U/L. Comments on my father in law situation please.
Really these results need to be explained by your father in laws consultant but both the CAP which reflects fatty content of the liver and kPa which represents liver density are both at the upper end of their reflective scales i.e. S3 - Steatosis Grade 3 and sadly in the cirrhosis/F4 range for the kPa.
It has to be pointed out that most liver conditions can be improved SIGNIFICANTLY with either lifestyle change or appropriate treatment.
Katie
Hi Katie, I hope this may make things a little clearer.Kind regards Michael
Mmm, well based on that I think you do need to have a very serious chat with your GP for follow up scans and some blood tests because your actual scores are those in bold so whilst your fat content is still ok at 165 CAP, your kPA is about as high as it can go at 74.4 - your previously IQR of 10.8 quoted is the interquartile range which is part of the calculation mechanism and not the important score.
You need to see your doctor, get some blood tests done and a follow up scan. You say you've had 45 years of indulgence and I don't know if you are symptomatic of cirrhosis but if that score is accurate it might indicate you are in that territory. britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...
You probably need to be referred to a hospital specialist too for appropriate monitoring going forward.
Katie
Thanks, Katie I had my bloods done two weeks ago, my GP said my liver was functioning fine.I will go back asap.Thank you again.Kind regards Michael
Standard liver function blood tests can be fairly normal even in advanced liver disease particularly as regards stable cirrhosis. As I said kPa only reads upto 75 so with a score of 74.4 i'd definitely be wanting further follow up.
Hi Katie, thank you for your advice. Well after a couple of very worrying weeks, following phone calls to my GP and emails to Synexus, I received a phone call from the Doctor at Synexus, a charming lady who asked me to come back and repeat the scan the next morning. After repeating the scan three times my kPa is 6.4, not 74.4. What a relief! I would like to thank all the people who offered their support and advice. A special mention to the British Liver Trust Nurses, very special. Keep up the great work. Kind regards Michael
❤️
How on earth have they explained the discrepancy from initially telling you that high score to now being near as dam it normal liver??
Glad you have a much lower result now.
Katie
well, it seems, the lady was having a bad day having not slept the night before.
What a shocking response, in other words you loose three weeks sleep too thinking you've got serious liver disease because a so called professional had a rough night.
Hope you can put it behind you and crack on with living your best life but knowing you've had one shock (even if false) you should consider keeping yourself as healthy as possible to prevent a genuine issue in the future.
Best wishes,
Katie
Thank you, Katie.Great advice
Jeez aloo..... Sorry I had a tough night... thanks love, I have had loads because of you.... bloody cheek.. hahahaha 🤣 I'm glad you have a sense of humour.. hahahaha 😂 xGood luck Danny x
You better replace the hospital. How could they make this error ! Crazy
Get a liver function test but not a lot of fat on the liver showing up. I think though something is up get a Gastrologist and see what is what.
Thank you, Katie.You have answered all my questions in minutes, after ten days of getting nowhere and causing me a great deal of anxiety. I will go back to my GP.Many thanks.
Kind regards
Michael
If you do not mind can ask about the reason of your FibroScan? I mean did you have any indications to do it? Symptoms, abnormal ultrsound, LFT, alcohol extensive use? Please ignore it if I am too curious.
overactive social life for 45 years
Thank you. Stay healthy.
Michael, you should certainly be monitored very closely by a specialist. Are you not experiencing significant symptoms? I would have that fibroscan repeated and an mre if they will allow for it.
some right flank discomfort
I had that as well along with eye jaundice, dark urine, extreme fatigue and my kpa was 18.7. It’s crazy how the liver effects people differently. Hopefully you can get in with your GP soon. Best wishes!
Thank you
Hi there michaelcp55 and welcome to this friendly forum. I can see that you have had lots of great advice given to you. Although I would suggest that one test cannot diagnose you with a liver condition, this result MAY indicate further assessment is required. Although your GP is unable to interpret these results (which is not unusual as this is a specialist test to measure fibrosis), I would suggest asking for a full liver blood screen (including FIB 4 or ELF test which measures liver fibrosis) and an abdominal ultrasound. Dependent on those results, you may be referred to a specialist for further review. I'll attach a link to blood tests explained and some general information.
britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...
britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...
If you are in the UK and would like to talk to one of our nurses, our helpline is open from 10am to 3pm Monday to Friday on 0800 652 7330.
Trust10.
Thank you, I have learnt more from the kind people on this website in the last24 hours than I have in the previous ten days since my scan. Very. much appreciated .Kind regards
Michael
Michaelcp55A Fibroscan score of 74.4 is near the top of the scale for liver stiffness, with 75 being the top. While it is possible that some unusual circumstances unrelated to fibrosis may, in the extreme cases, cause such a result--here I'm thinking of severe inflammation, severe obesity, overgorging on food and drink right before the exam, hitting every rib possible, etc, all of which can inflate your kpa score --this result of 74.4kpa indicates severe liver fibrosis, aka, cirrhosis.
What is surprising, even shocking, is that you aren't showing the usual physical symptoms of jaundice, extreme fatigue, even vomiting. Now, maybe there is a heptalogist out there somewhere who will tell you otherwise. But if it were my liver, with that score, I would want it confirmed with other tests including perhaps a biopsy, rather than dismissed with a "don't worry".
Unless this score is wrong, your liver is under severe stress. The liver is a strong, forgiving organ. It will keep on ticking even after years of abuse and neglect. It can even repair itself if you treat it well. But there comes a day when it just can't do it anymore, when it just can't carry on. Then, you reach liver failure.
So, as Katie and others have said, lifestyle changes can help. You should immediately stop any alcohol intake. You should try to eat in a healthy way (check with your doctor on what that means at this stage of cirrhosis). But make no mistake about it. This is the day when your liver is telling you that a lot of things need to change.
I have a very balanced healthy diet and take exercise daily
If you have fibrosis, and you have a healthy lifestyle then the cause could be something non-lifestyle related, such as autoimmune disease. But if you drink alcohol, I would still cut that down to zero, just to help your liver as much as you can.
Hi, CAP shows the fat in the liver and KPa reflects the liver stiffness
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