Diet for fibrosis

[kippy2]

Hi

I still haver liver fibrosis through alcohol and haven’t touched a drop for 2 years now, but my ELF score has gone up from 9.8, 10.1, 9.1, now 10.1 again (all done at 6 monthly intervals) I don’t understand why? I lost two stone in weight although I have put a stone back on, but my ultrasound last September showed no fatty liver, so that’s pleasing. So even though I don’t drink alcohol any more and honestly don’t feel the need to. I do enjoy ice cream and milk chocolate a few times a week. Could this be the reason why? But I do eat relatively well, lots of salads and a bit of fruit. Totally baffled and am not allowed another ELF test for two years.! This is giving me lots of anxiety, I don’t know quite what to do. Your thoughts are very much appreciated.

Tania

[MINTVCX]

Please do not expect ELF test will show accurate your fibrosis status. It is only some estimation as all tests. In addition your all scores are pretty the same. Any other tests that tell you have significant (> F2) fibrosis? Please check all your doubts with your hepatologist is the best option for you.

[kippy2 in reply to MINTVCX]

Thank you for your reply. He has just said to repeat ELF test and Ultrasound in two years. Ultrasound doesn’t show fibrosis only cirrhosis I believe. The other blood tests I had recently have come back satisfactory. Ast serum level, liver profile, serum gamma glutamyl tramferase level

So I still don’t know what stage the fibrosis is at and wether I can eat as I have been doing. The hepatologist will not see me unless my scores rise to above 10.5, but as I said I don’t have another ELF test for two years. I’m confused on what to eat as I don’t know if that’s contributed to my last higher ELF score and a lot can happen in two years. So if I need to stop eating chocolate I need to know now. (It will be very difficult though. I’m not diabetic but get low blood sugar sometimes. And I have a sweet tooth 🙂

Regards

Tania

[Corin1950]

I had an ELF score of 9.8 which my GP said showed the risk of “significant fibrosis”. He referred me to a specialist for a fibroscan which was a 16 month wait. As I was beside myself with anxiety having lost my mum to hepatitis at age 61 I paid to see the specialist for a private consultation and a fibroscan. The fibroscan showed no fibrosis KPA 4.6 only a fatty liver which I already knew about, although not the extent, CAP 270 which is top end of mild, about 40% of my liver affected. I’m addressing this with diet and exercise.Just telling you this to reassure you that the ELF test is not always accurate in predicting fibrosis and maybe suggesting you ask for a fibroscan which, while not perfect, will give you a clearer indication of fibrosis in your liver.

[kippy2 in reply to Corin1950]

Thank you Corin 1950 for your reply. I asked my doctor for a fibroscan but they only seem to do ultrasounds here. I’m in south wiltshire. If I could find a reasonably priced private one close by I would get it done. Time to phone around I think.

[mcardle1 in reply to kippy2]

I believe you can get an Fibroscan for about £100. Di Google search fir your area .It maybe worth paying ti put your mind at ease .Wish you luck.

[kippy2 in reply to mcardle1]

Thank you I will do that 🙂

[Corin1950]

You can get one in London for £95 at tawazunhealth.com/fibroscan

[kippy2 in reply to Corin1950]

Thank you, but unfortunately too far away

[jazzjam]

Hi, fibrosis is the scarring of the liver which leads to cirrhosis. Fibrosis does have a chance to be improved but once the fibrosis has developed it becomes cirrhosis which cannot be reversed. That’s not to say you cant help the liver and reduce any more fibrosis starting. The very basics of that, which I am sure you are already doing, are, very low salt to the minimum, no pre packed meals, no tinned veggies etc.. which contain salt. Basically eat very clean, homemade foods, good protein like fish, chicken, tofu, veggies, fruits, lentils and beans 🌻

[kippy2 in reply to jazzjam]

Thanks jazzjam for your helpful reply, I do eat well apart from the indulgence of chocolate and ice cream, do you know if that is ok? didn’t find the dietician very helpful as she thought my ELF score was 7!!! It’s 10.1 big difference on the fibrosis scale. Is it possible to reduce the fibrosis right down to a normal score do you know?

[jazzjam in reply to kippy2]

Hi Kippy, unfortunately ice cream can be high in salt, it also is very high in fat, both things the liver struggles to process and chocolate also much the same. I am not sure about reducing it. There are many studies that I have read about saying you can but I am really not sure, the way my consultant tells me is that you can help the liver by eating well. (I have a really good doctor who explains everything to me). This is in my own words though. If you eat good foods, the good part of the liver will not struggle like it has to with things like fats. When it is struggling cells die and as the liver tries to repair the cells it can’t because it is struggling. So this repair it tries to do turns into fibrosis, scar tissue. When the liver is not struggling to process foods ( like eating good foods) it can clean the blood easier and the blood flow will be better and less blood cells will be damaged and it may be able to repair some.

I hope that makes sense, so really the only way is to stick to foods that are healthy. Don’t get me wrong I am an ice cream and chocolate person too, my doc says a little is ok, in moderation. Please do check with yours first though. I haven’t had the best of help with dieticians either to be honest.

[kippy2 in reply to jazzjam]

I really appreciate you taking the time to explain things to me. I didn’t realise ice cream is high in salt. I must now choose wisely the things that I eat.Thank you jazzjam.

Tania