tests

[Realy]

has anyone had a fibroscan says one result and Fibrotest acti test and the Fib4 index results be opposite the fibroscan?

[MINTVCX]

It happens. I have F2 on fibroscan and Fib-4 below 1.0 (but low FIB-4 value excludes only F3-F4 with high probability, you can still have F1-F2 with this).

I think Fibrotest and fibroscan are better to Fib-4 to check liver fibrosis. I think more tests are needed if they say opposite results. Just one of them might be false positive.

[Realy in reply to MINTVCX]

Fibro test acti test and fib4 show lower than the fibroscan. Just curious as I’ve read some inconsistencies with fibroscan.

[AyrshireK in reply to Realy]

What were your bloods indicating at the time of the fibroscan? As we've previously discussed - if there is inflammation present at the time of the fibroscan then a falsely high result can occur since fibroscan cannot tell the difference between inflamed liver and actual fibrotic liver. (Fibroscan rarely gives false low results but can commomly give false elevated results).

Also, what time line occurred with all these tests? i.e. before or after you lost weight and startef seeing improvements in your bloods etc.

[Realy in reply to AyrshireK]

my bloods at the time where good I did have a higher than normalA1C 6.9. Fibroscan was done in July and Fibro acti test in February. Weight loss was 45 pounds. Fib 4 at time of fibroscan was low. Not sure what blood work they used with to get fibroscan results. A year before test my ast alt was slightly elevated. Ultrasounds originally showed steatosis now minima steatosis and now have 5.5 A1c .also recent Fibro test acti test shows no activity and Minimal fibrosis in report.

[Realy in reply to AyrshireK]

thanks for replies

[vinylcollector in reply to AyrshireK]

My Fibroscan was 39.2 not been offered any Fibro acti test. I'll ask my Liver Nurse next time they call me. That was at least over a year ago. Other than that I get Two Ultrascans per year, with a blood test just before each one. No idea what my readings are never put them in writing for me to read.

[AyrshireK in reply to vinylcollector]

My hubby has never had a fibroscan or any of these other fibrosis scoring tests, he has his 6 monthly scans, blood tests and annual endoscopy because we know he has cirrhosis.

[vinylcollector in reply to AyrshireK]

Thank you for the reply, AK. I have everything you mentioned, but I also had the Fibroscan, 39.2 Reading Level 4. They say my Portal Hypertension is causing Spleen enlargement even though blood is moving in the right direction. They gave me some of that 12.5 Cardevili tablet I haven't had the courage to consume. I won't let them do the camera thing due to the risk during a long journey to the hospital to do it. I do have a diagnosis of cirrhosis is pretty much all agreed.

[AyrshireK in reply to vinylcollector]

I'd be very cautious if you are neither taking your carvedilol nor having a regular endoscopy to check for varices. It was a massive bleed from varices that almost killed my hubby and brought about his cirrhosis diagnosis in 2012. He's subsequently had 42 varices banded and suffered a splenic infarction (spleen death) after he was found to have aneursyms in his splenic artery. Up until last year he's needed an annual endoscopy to check out his upper GI tract - due another one later this year.

Katie

[vinylcollector in reply to AyrshireK]

Thanks for the information, Kate.

I was diagnosed with early cirrhosis by my consultant and Liver specialist nurse. I did explain the situation to them about getting to and from the nearest hospital in Inverness, so they put me on the carvedilol. My worry is the leaflet said don't use it if you have a Liver disease. I worry about the 12.5 mg and wonder if something nasty happened Ambulance will take 20 mins to get to me from the local hospital 30 miles away. I hope you and your husband are both keeping well.

[AyrshireK in reply to vinylcollector]

Carvedilol is the 'go to' beta blocker for treating portal hypertension - sometimes they start you on a small dose and see how it's tolerated before upping it (my hubby was on it for a short time - prescribed by a locum but Edinburgh took him off it saying it wasn't all that great after already having had a big bleed and an aggressive banding regime would be more successful in removing hubbies varices).

It's better you taking the carvedilol and preventing a potential bleed than having a bleed in your location. We are thankfully only 20 mins from nearest A&E so hubby was seen quickly after his big bleed.

Katie

[vinylcollector in reply to AyrshireK]

It's a minefield, Katie. I will start, does make sense. Did it cause any other problems? Chronic coughing.

I had a blue inhaler years ago, worries me. I have insulin problems, and I'm not on medication.

Thank you for the information.

[Realy in reply to AyrshireK]

the fibroscan was in July and the fibrosis acti test was this February so having 45 pound weight loss and getting my sugar A1c to normal range may explain the differences.

[AyrshireK in reply to Realy]

Exactly, by doing the hard work you have obviously improved your situation. So, well done on that.

Hopefully everything will keep going in the right direction for you.

Katie

[Realy in reply to AyrshireK]

thank you,my Dr said forget the numbers just loose the weight get sugar under control and you will see the numbers change. I guess I should have got the fibrosis acti test the same time as the fibroscan to compare. But I did them 7 months apart . The numbers are down with the fibrosis acti test so hopefully he is right and this is showing the improvement.

[MINTVCX in reply to Realy]

"inconsistencies with fibroscan". Each test has its sensitivity and specificity. Also prevalence of the disease (here fibrosis) is important to say what is the probability if the result is true positive or true negative. In other words you cannot say that Fibroscan is better or worse from Fibrotest. Each test has its limitation. All results (tests, symptoms, possible damage factors like obesity, alcohol and so on) should be judged which is not easy. Please follow opinion of your doctor.

[Realy in reply to MINTVCX]

yes loose the weight get sugar in check wich is what I’ve done so that may explain the differences . I’ll just keep doing what is prescribed.

[Realy in reply to MINTVCX]

thanks for replies

[Hidden]

Most Heps here don't value the Fibro Test.. It's just a blood test. My Fibro test said I was a late F2 or early F3.. Only one Hep told me that. All the others said cirrhosis. F4. The multiple MRI's have confirmed that.