Fibroscan

[CimBLT4]

Have been diagnosed with fatty liver disease through ultrascan, but cannot get fibroscan on NHS because blood tests are normal. Any advice please? Prepared to go private but does not seem available in Nottingham area.

[Richard-Allen]

When a liver becomes cirrhotic, it becomes covered in scar tissue. The more scar tissue that builds up the more serious the damage can become. If the cause of this damage can be identified and further damage prevented, the liver can still manage to repair itself enough to perform many of the 500+ different functions it continuously carries out.

Even though a liver can be heavily scarred, it can still produce near-normal blood results. This gives many GP’s a false understanding of what might be going on.

Not wishing to sound alarmist here, but when a liver is cirrhotic, it can go on to develop tumours. It is therefore important that regular six monthly scans be carried out and the liver condition monitored.

I’d go back to your GP and ask once again to have a fibroscan. This is for two reasons. Firstly to check on any possible liver damage, but equally important is that it will give you peace of mind. If he or she still refuses, then ask if a written comment on this request and the reasons why it has been refused could be made on your medical file.

This may hopefully cause your doctor to rethink about your request.

Good luck, and please let us know how you get on.

Richard

[Dinah48 in reply to Richard-Allen]

hi Richard, may I jump in here. Would an ultrasound be enough? My Husband, like CImBLT is not being offered CT or fibroscan. He has only ever had ultrasound. Thx.

[Iro1]

Hi that is simply unacceptable, I spent an entire year being tested and getting blood tests that my GP said were exemplary, but I had raised ferritin. I even had an US that failed to show anything.I specifically requested an ELF test, which came back at 10.8. Subsequently I had a fibroscan also 10.8.

My advice is ask for an ELF test, other so called liver function tests are mis named, but an ELF test does not lie.

Good luck,

Iro

[Readlots]

I was diagnosed before fibroscans so wouldn’t be too worried about not having one BUT if an ultrasound finds liver disease I would expect you to be monitored by a hepatologist. The NICE guidelines suggest further testing and a referral to a specialist in hepatology nice.org.uk/guidance/ng49/c....

It might be worth ringing the BLT helpline and getting advice. Then you can tell your GP that the BLT have recommended XY and Z. Might carry more weight.

Hope this helps

[CimBLT4 in reply to Readlots]

Thank you to you and others who have responded so quickly and with excellent advice. I am sure one of the suggestions at least should do the trick.