Confusing fibroscan result

[Bibbybob]

Hello all, just a quick update on my partner following his visit to the hepatologist for a check-up 7 months after his last visit. Back in February he had a fibroscan that gave him a score of 16kPa, which was F3 severe fibrosis. At the time he saw a different consultant, who put his original decompensated symptoms down to severe alcoholic hepatitis rather than cirrhosis, so we both came away from that visit really positive. Shortly after that visit, he had an ultrasound scan on his liver that also confirmed that there was no cirrhosis.

However, during yesterday’s visit he saw his original consultant who was less positive and wouldn’t rule-out cirrhosis, in spite of the fibroscan result from February.

During the visit he had another fibroscan. The nurse had some trouble getting readings, and it took quite a few attempts. However, she eventually managed it and the result came back as 26kPa. The reason it took a while to get a result is that she was reluctant to accept the reading, given the big difference since February. When we got home he did a COVID test and the result came back as positive (he has had a bit of a cough and a few sneezing fits, which we put down to hay fever). Now we’re extremely worried that his fibrosis has advanced since February, even though he is in excellent health with no decompensation symptoms, and he has remained teetotal. I’ve called the hepatology unit to ask about the result, as we left immediately after the fibroscan test so haven’t spoken to his consultant about the result. It doesn’t seem right that his liver would deteriorate so much over this time, especially as his consultant mentioned how it had taken years for the fibrosis to develop, so it will take years for any healing to take place, in other words implying that changes are slow in the liver.

Does anyone have any similar experiences? Could other factors such as COVID or a cold, have an effect on the result?

[BritishLiverTrust4]

Dear Bibbybob

If you are in the UK and would find it useful to talk things over, our nurse-led helpline is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 3pm on 0800 652 7330 (excluding bank holidays)

Best wishes

British Liver Trust