Hello,
Can someone recommend a private test for liver fibrosis? I have seen fibroscan and blood ELF tests - is one preferable? I'm keen to keep price down but want to use a provider that I can trust. There is a lot of advertisement out there which is confusing.
Thank you.
Can I ask why you want to do this test privately? If you have genuine concerns about your liver health you should see your own GP and explain your worries and they will do all tests necessary on the NHS. Obviously the quicker you get the ball rolling with the NHS the sooner you will get any appropriate tests and treatment.
GP should be able to refer you for a fibroscan if necessary plus blood tests, ELF test etc.
Katie
I agree doing any test without doctor to interpret the result is not a good idea. If you have no symptoms, family medical disease history, liver damage factors (high BMI, alcohol etc) also not the best option.
Hello AyrshireK and MINTVCX , thank you for responses. I have for the last 12 months suffered ill health - extreme tiredness, water retention, puffy eyes, foggy brain, itching nighttime, cold sweats. I can’t tolerate even small amounts of alcohol. Before I was a social ‘normal’ drinker
My GP has done bloodtests; one test showed slightly abnormal liver function, another slightly abnormal renal function. I then had normal blood tests, and my GP say that means Im fine.
I recently saw an osteopath that does ‘vicerral manipulation’ to help with some dgestive issues that I gave. They asked me if I had ever had my liver checked, as it felt “hard”.
This has made me concerned issues could be related to the liver. My GP say not to worry and that its probably hormones (Im already on HRT) or long Covid. Which might be true, but I feel a test of the liver is what I need to put my mind to rest.
Grateful for advice.
About osteopath's opinion I think not to follow not a doctor. I would go back to your GP and maybe ask for ultrasound? Or to direct to hepatologist? If you have any doubts please check first with hepatologist (maybe private?). It is better than doing any tests on your own.
Just my experience here in the states but as far as the osteopath felling your liver and saying it was hard…. My doctor as well as liver specialist have both said the liver cannot be felt on physical examination. If it was extremely swollen possibly but not normal size.
I had a fibroscan done privately by a Hepatologist at 1 Welbeck. I was referred to Hepatology by my NHS rheumatology consultant. I elected to have it done privately. I was a few weeks quicker, I work full time so have a tricky diary to negotiate, and the beauty of it was the organisation, the explanation time, the results were immediate and I had the report and copy scan in 48 hours.
The consultation and scan cost £525. It was worth every penny.
Amazing, thank you x
I got a fibroscan, there were two option one was scan only for £95 the other was a bit more expensive with a consultation. I paid for the £95, who did mine was fabulous it felt like a consultation, chatted through why I was there, went through results. 5 star service for £95!! And gave me peace of mind.
All ok but please read below:"For fibroscan for example:
This is relevant as cutoffs generated in secondary care are often applied in primary care without taking into account the marked difference in prevalence. In this situation, a negative test would be very reassuring, although a positive test would have a low likelihood of capturing a true positive and raises the question of needing further confirmatory tests."
This is when you do fibroscan first (to be sure without any other tests, for example out of sudden without any liver symptoms, factors etc.). It might cause a lot of unnecessary stress (not always of course).
Cirrhosis questions for my MIL
ELF Test
BLOOD TEST RESULTS
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