help with confusing cirrhosis diagnosis from fibroscan

[Austinpickles]

Had a fibroscan yesterday and was told I had cirrhosis. I was given a figure of 36.3 but don't know what that means. I have NAFLD and apparently had a scan in 2017 which I don't remember (my son died that year so it is a bit of a blur) with a score of 11. They took lots of blood for testing and I will get a follow up appointment in 6 months.

Does anyone know what this all means? I am really worried and don't know who to talk to. I also have doctor diagnosed hypertension, type 2 diabetes, cfs/m.e., ibs, hypothyroidism, depression and firbromyalgia. I am a 62 year old woman, ex smoker since 2006, vegetarian 3 years. I am still overweight but have lost 1.5 stone in the last year.

[AyrshireK]

Sorry to hear of your diagnosis and particularily sorry you have been left in the dark as to what everything means.

Your fibroscan has provided a score of 36.3 kPa which is the density of your liver. Where Non Alcohol Related Fatty Liver is the causal factor any kPa figure over about 11.9 is reflective of F4 fibrosis a.k.a. cirrhosis. The figure can sometimes be falsly inflated if there is liver inflammation present or if you didn't fast before the scan. If it is wholy accurate then you have cirrhosis and due to that the minimum monitoring regime is 6 monthly scans, 6 monthly bloods.

You have a few contributory factors for NAFLD with excess weight, thyroid, type 2 diabetes etc. But if there is a way you can work at improving your diet, weight and exercise levels then it may be possible to improve your liver ealth and potentially stop it from getting worse.

When my hubby was diagnosed with cirrhosis 11 years ago we too were left in a bit of limbo with little information and I found the BLT page on cirrhosis very useful.

britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

They also have a page on NAFLD and a downloadable booklet on treating NAFLD with healthy diet and exercise which you may find useful.

britishlivertrust.org.uk/in...

No question is a silly one so if you need further information and support then you only need ask.

Katie

[Austinpickles in reply to AyrshireK]

thnk you so much. I will check out the information you have signposted. I ove my annual diabetes review soon an will ask for nutritionist referral