I had a Fibroscan today via a clinical trial specialist. I have NAFLD, elevated LFTs hence Dr suggested Fibroscan as the next course of action.
The nurse really struggled for over an hour trying to get good readings and the scores throughout the process were wild as she mentioned the KPA as 8. At one point she mentioned it was ‘user error’ on her part as she was picking up the diaphragm, ribs etc. in the end she finished and told me my CAP was 330 and KPA was 71!
Throughout the process the Fibroscan wasn’t picking up readings consistently and at one point the storage was full so she had to delete all the previous pictures.
I challenged it asking about accuracy etc but as they were short staffed she kind of fobbed me off and said something along the lines of speaking to my GP. I wish she had just admitted defeat rather than continue and potentially give me a false reading.
I am now panicking like crazy and have booked another Fibroscan but this time going Private as I’m convinced the test today was not done correctly or even accurate.
My most recent bloods 2 weeks apart show an improvement in my ALT, AST and Gamma by upto 20-30%.
I’m really worried, please help. I have no other pain or symptoms and this was all picked up following a routine blood test and I can’t round the fact that a KPA score of 71 would cause me some sort of issues over the past number of years.
The one thing I have started today is statins to reduce my cholesterol as that’s currently high at 9 and I’m convinced that’s a contributing factor to my elevated blood tests.
Thanks
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Fibro1234
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I would be dubious about the accuracy of the result based on what you report as to how your scan seems to have been run. If they were getting readings for ribs, diaphragm etc. then your score may be highly inflated ALSO as it sounds like you also have ongoing inflammation that too can inflate your score since fibroscan can't tell the difference between inflamed tissue and that which is fibrous.
I agree and the whole experience has left me dubious and traumatised. The poor nurse had no support and no doctors available and struggled a lot. As it was a clinical trial place offering free Fibroscan, I thought I would take advantage and skip the queues. I wish I hadn’t now!
A KPA of 71 just doesn’t seem right to me and she had to switch from a number of different probes throughout the process and at one point had to take her gloves off to help locate the liver.
Still very worried and I have to wait 2 weeks for another Fibroscan to be done privately.
Are you already under the care of a hospital consultant for your NAFLD diagnosis? They should be doing all the proper tests to establish the exact stage of your condition.
Whilst you await further follow up there are positive steps you could take to potentially reverse any damage done and halt further deterioration/progression.
The BLT website has excellent guidance on NAFLD including a fairly new downloadable publication on treatment of the condition with a good healthy diet and physical exercise.
Thank you. I’m under the care of my GP who recommended I go for a Fibroscan. Previously post my gallbladder removal due to gallstones i was with a private consultant who ran multiple tests including Ultrasound, MRI etc and post surgery followed as my LFT was elevated and diagnosed me as NAFLD. Unfortunately several years passed before investigations commenced again as my LFT had normalised but fluctuated.
My Blood pressure is being treated with medication and I’ve started on a low dose of statins today for high cholesterol, which we think is a contributing factor to my elevated results.
I’m so annoyed about today and I wish i had waited for a proper appointment with my private care rather than using the clinical trial option with a nurse that was clearly struggling to get a good reading.
It’s also worth noting my BMI is over 30 and I know this doesn’t help and can cause some false positives on Fibroscans.
I’ve taken some steps over the past few weeks to change my diet and my bloods are improving 20-30% improvement on my LFT test.
My GP did mention he wanted me to get an ELF blood test so I’ll follow up again. I just don’t believe my KPA can be 71. As mentioned I have no other symptoms and l lead a pretty busy life.
Thanks for your help, I’ve made this post out of desperation to see if anyone else has experienced something similar.
So it was an inexperienced or incompetent nurse in an overworked facility and part of a trial and the machine should an 8 and 71 in the same test? And it had to be restarted?
Yeah, that might lead to errors! If your numbers are getting better, relax and wait for a far more quality test.
Correct it was a trial nurse, on her own with no one else to support her and she really struggled. What should take 5-10mins took over an hour and throughout the process and had to keep changing the size of probes and excuses such as my ribs are narrow or something or the machine isn’t liking it, pictures don’t work etc etc
I just wished she would have said Nope can’t be done and let me go rather than cause this level of stress with potentially false/positive results that have kept me up all night with anxiety.
I’m speaking with my GP today and going to push for an ELF test and referral for a Fibroscan from my private medical cover.
Just spoke to my GP who said the same ie I shouldn’t worry and said I was doing allThe right things. He’s going to write me a referral so I can take advantage of my private medical care and see a consultant and progress ELF, Scans etc
Luckily I’m tee total and have been all my life but I agree these insurance companies will hang on to the smallest things in order not to pay for treatment. Luckily my insurance is through work so they are a little bit more flexible
I’ve just been for an Ultrasound on my liver following my traumatic experience with the Fibroscan. The process was very smooth and I spoke to the Dr who did the scan.
In her words she said there are some changes and did recommend I see a gastro/heptoligist. She did reassure me that the steps I’m taking are correct but difficult to say just with a scan the overall assessment of the liver and explained the results should be reviewed side by side with another Fibroscan. She did say a biopsy is probably not necessary.
I did directly ask if she thinks it’s Cirrhosis and she explained its changes that could lead to it rather a confirmed diagnosis.
Im convinced I do have some level of fibrosis and probably at the more serious end. I’ve lost 7lb already and completely overhauled my diet.
Not sure what else to think anymore apart from the usual anxiety.
I’ve just been to see the Dr from the Clinical trial and had a really productive conversation. The accuracy of the Fibroscan is not reliable is the conclusion and he mentioned there are shadows that are incorrect and when they took the pictures the angles are wrong and most likely hit the rib, they should have never proceeded.
I’m hopefully speaking to my GP tomorrow regarding my ultrasound which the clinical Dr feels is most likely to talk about the fatty liver changes.
Just spoke to the Dr regarding my ultrasound and she confirmed it’s mild fatty liver and everything else looks fine and to continue with the lifestyle changes I’ve made. I’m still going to visit the Gastro consultant on Saturday to discuss further.
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