finally heard from gastroenterologist

[Sophia1968]

hi everyone, I finally received my letter this morning regarding my fibroscan, the letter said that my kpa was 21.5 which is in the cirrhotic brackets, the iq median was 28% therefore the accuracy could be debateable, that with the high bmi the procedure was perhaps quite challenging, the cap was confirmed as grade 3 steotosis, she then went on to suggest that my dr refers me for bariatric surgery to improve my bmi which can have a great impact on the score in this test …..I’m assuming that she is saying my weight could have given a false read eps with the 28% iq ( I guess the lower under 30 the better) I would say I was 6.5 stone over weight and have lost almost 3 stone since this test, I intend to carry on and lose the other 3.5 stone this way, I’m not having surgery unless I find I can no longer do it myself, I’m also swimming at least twice per week , so I really have changed my lifestyle, I will ask my dr if she can refer me to a liver dietician instead because that’s where I need the help most…. I guess at some point this test will be repeated .? I’m worried that is could still be accurate but no tests will be done because they assume it’s my weight, do you think this sounds fair enough , or should I be having more checks to be sure, or does it make sense to lose the weight first then go from there, sorry to ask, I just need reassurance that I am ok to be left for now….. on a plus note I saw the cardiologist yesterday regarding my heart scan ( a different issue regarding very fast pulse and blood pressure spikes last year) he made my day confirming that my heart is fine, nothing wrong at all and not even enlarged, I am over the moon at this result , now I just need to concentrate on my liver , thanks in advance to you all and enjoy your day xx

[AnxiousPete]

Hi Sophia - Really well done with the weight loss and lifestyle changes and glad the heart is in good shape. I think you need to push for a clear diagnosis regarding whether you have cirrhosis or not as I understand that the NICE guidance on monitoring of bloods and scans is quite clearly set out for cirrhosis patients and my consultant has been clear with me what will be monitored and when. AyrshireK may be able to offer more advice on what further diagnostics you may be entitled to. Nobody wants a cirrhosis diagnosis but I would rather know clearly what I am dealing with and get all the monitoring necessary. n Sadly my local hep department no longer has a specialist dietician so I hope you might be luckier with that.

[Sophia1968 in reply to AnxiousPete]

hi Pete, see this was my way of thinking , surely I need to have tests to rule it in or out, why get a score as high as mine only to ignore it 🤷‍♀️ X

[AnxiousPete in reply to Sophia1968]

Precisely. Keep pushing Sophia you're doing all the right things and making a huge difference to your health, and you are entitled to have a diagnosis.

[Sophia1968 in reply to AnxiousPete]

Thank you Pete, I appreciate you taking the time to respond hun , hope you be are ok xx

[AnxiousPete in reply to Sophia1968]

Doing OK thanks

[Realy in reply to Sophia1968]

Sophia there’s a few blood test called Elf, Liverfast, Fibrosure. Can check Fibrosis,Steatosis, and activity . Just another tool to help diagnose.

[Kristian]

Don't worry too much about the surgery. If they know you can lose weight by normal means they'll be more than happy not to do any surgery. Keep going as you are. You should be being monitored every 6 months or so and that will show how well your liver is coping. It may not need another fibroscan, at least not for a while. But if the blood test show the liver is coping well, even with some cirrhosis, then they'll nor push for surgery either. You should also have follow up ultrasounds too, and they can help determine whether the tell tail signs of cirrhosis are present and the degree of fat in the liver.

Good luck.