Fibroscan result waiting time?

[Trotter2024]

Please can somebody tell me how long it takes to receive results for a fibroscan?

I started this journey in November 2023 after asking for a general check-up at my GP surgery because of some non-liver related issues. I had no awareness at all that my liver could be damaged. After a few rounds of blood tests I find that I have deranged liver enzymes (whatever that means exactly) and was sent for a fibroscan 29th February. Despite trying to get results from hospital, and being told to wait, I'm still waiting for news now.

I have been unable to see GP for over 2 months, now. Those people close to me who I've shared my news with say no news is good news but I'm worried that no news just means NHS resources are stretched.

Mentally I'm terrified so if anyone does respond then please be gentle with me :o)

[AyrshireK]

Have you chased this up with your GP? I note you say you haven't been able to see GP but is there a possibility of a telephone consultation?

Fibroscan results can be read and seen at the time of the scan so there is no waiting and most folks get their scores there and then although have to wait for interpretation which has to be done in conjunction with your blood test results & other scans etc.

I see from your profile there was no obvious damage on ultrasound which is a good sign, you also don't mention any obvious liver symptoms. ANA positive could indicate something auto immune but not necessarily liver related.

I'd phone and ask for a telephone consultation if you can't actually get a face to face one. You obviously need to know and if there is a need to refer on to specialists this needs to be done sooner rather than later as there are very long waits just now for initial consultations.

Katie

[BritishLiverTrust3 Administrator British Liver Trust]

Dear Trotter2024,

If you would find it useful to talk things over, our nurse-led helpline is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm on 0800 652 7330 (excluding bank holidays)

Best wishes

British Liver Trust

[Buddythezhu]

I’ve had 2, both times given the score immediately and a rough idea by person doing the Fibroscan. This time he told me the score and said it was better than the previous one.

[GarryS]

Same here. I've had three scans and was told the result immediately by the person doing the scan.

[MMaz]

Hi, I get my fibroscan results instantly from the person carrying out the scan. Next time you have one ask the technician for the result. All the best.

[PutneyGirl]

I am sorry you are so worried and note you have been waiting for more than five weeks which is unacceptable. I was given my results at the fibroscan and the Hepatologist reviewed my bloods (a very full set) and ultrasound results at the same Time. They provided a diagnosis and next step and I had their report to my rheumatologist and GP within 72 hours. The service was excellent but I note it was private. I was lucky and had little to worry about but appreciate the enormous stress you must be going through.

In your circumstances, and I have had to do this before when dealing with the NHS, I would suggest the following Check whether your hospital did the scan through Hepatology or Gastroenterology and then find out who is the clinical lead for the service. Send them a very polite letter along the lines of:

I had a scan performed in the x department on x date at y time. I must note the person who carried it out was very professional. However, I have not been provided with the results of the fibroscan, or given any other advice or information about the situation concerning my liver. As I am sure you will be able to appreciate this is causing me significant worry.

I have tried to contact my GP to no avail and hope you are able to assist by providing the results of my fibroscan, an assessment of the situation taking account of other related tests and advice about what the next steps will be.

Thank you in advance and I look forward to hearing from you.

I would suggest you include yiur full name, date of birth, NHS number and Hospital number in the header. Send it as a proper, old fashioned letter, special delivery and tracked so it had to be signed for and copy you GP.

Good luck and remember this is personal information pertaining to you and you are entitled to it. It is what we pay the NHS for.

[Yorkigirl]

I had my fibroscan last Dec and was given the results then by the staff member. But, I've yet to see a consultant for details, and my GP says there's nothing they can do. Through chasing and asking, I've found there is a 14 week wait to see a consultant at the gastro centre. I sympathise and It's difficult not to worry about what's happening when you're given some information but not all. Stay strong. 🙂

[Oasisman]

I wasn't the official result but the nurse gave me an indication when I pushed her. I live in Scotland and raised a subject request with the hospital and got my results along with other notes I requested. I can also ask my doctor for notes they have, but it doesn't appear that they give out the results easily. I am unsure why but that is myvexperience

[T-A-T]

I had my fibroscan done last April and got the results straight away, I had non alcoholic fatty liver disease for years previous, but blood results were abnormal, so Dr referred me, it took asgaes for the initial appointment, but since then I have had regular ultrasounds and see the consultant team (heptology) every 6 months, I've had to stop certain medications as my chirrosis is caused by medications, diebetes and being overweight, it really is scary, but fingers xed you will be fine, I would chase it up at your Drs and contact the department where you had the fibroscan done,, they might be able to help x

[Chris9686]

Hi mate what was your readings? Anything about 12.5 kpa is the start of cirrosis. Mine was 12.7 kpa

[Chris9686 in reply to Chris9686]

That's if alcohol is the cause

[AyrshireK in reply to Chris9686]

On the Echosans fibroscan score chart the bar for alcohol related liver disease shows 12.7 kPa as only just F3 - F4 / cirrhosis starting at around 22.5 kPa. At 12.7 it is still potentially recoverable.

[Trotter2024]

Thank you!

To everybody who responded to my post where I asked about waiting times for Fibroscan results, thank you ❤️ You all gave me the confidence I needed to keep pushing the NHS for answers, despite what we hear on the news about resources etc.

Briefly then, I have now been waiting over 7 weeks for my Fibroscan result. My appointment was set up by my GP surgery with Gastroenterology. I asked for my result, or an indication, a few times during the scan and I’ve enquired with my GP and hospital since, more than once. I enquired face-to-face, via emails etc and throughout I felt I was assertive but used my best manners at all times, however all my enquiries were frustratingly fruitless. Typically there was no response, except admin staff saying that I should hear in due course.

Then I spoke to a British Liver Trust nurse 🙂 who not only helped reassure me but also suggested that I involve PALS (Patient Advisory & Liaison Service). Wednesday I was told that my result is in the post and even better than that I had a heads up that the scan is result is “fine”. I was very much taken aback at the “fine” news and so didn’t manage to ask any further detail, but I’m hopeful that the result might indicate that I’ve been incredibly lucky to have a chance at reversing any damage, not that I know the cause of any damage.

The various blood tests still raise questions which I assume still have to be answered. Apparently, according to the hospital, I’ve now been referred to dermatology, I’ve no idea why and there seemed to be some confusion from those that I asked. There’s a long wait for any kind of GP appointment at my surgery but hopefully I’ll learn more at my next appointment, 9th May.

I don’t know how reliable fibroscan results are, my impression was/is that coupled with all of the other data the scan is an important and very useful step, so hopefully the result of “fine” is low and unquestionable rather than borderline 🤞

Nothing in my postbox today so I’m hoping to receive my letter Saturday now 🤞 Thank you again to all that answered my post, some of whom must now be wondering why I made such a fuss. I didn’t know what I should expect from the NHS but you all made it abundantly clear that many people do indeed get their Fibroscan result, or at least an indication, immediately.

My best wishes to each of you :o) Trotter.