Confirmed cirrhosis

[D6C2L30E-48]

Hi I was hospitalised in November 2021 with alcoholic hepatitis and confirmed cirrhosis aswell I now have 6 month checks ultrasound all saying I have cirrhosis. I had a fibroscan back in September 14.2 kpa when in hospital it was 62 kpa i am now being offered a third in September my question is is it normal to keep having fibroscans if ultrasound has confirmed cirrhosis many thanks

[MINTVCX]

I think if Fibroscan was ordered by your hepatologist it can make sense but ask your doctor for details.

One more thing sometimes fibroscan result goes to lower value like F3/F2 (after confirmed cirrhosis especially by biopsy). It is a good sign but it does not necessarily mean you do not have it any more. It is more complicated.

[D6C2L30E-48 in reply to MINTVCX]

When you say more complicated what do you mean please thankyou for replying

[MINTVCX in reply to D6C2L30E-48]

It means that Fibroscan result is not alone conclusive. It has to be reviewed along with other tests and symptoms, family history by specialist. It is not like anyone can check kpa value and then say I have stage 1, 2, 3 or 4 (which is tempting but not right).

[Roy1955]

Most consultants don't offer fibroscan as part of surveillance.Mine agreed to repeat it (only at my request) 6 years after the first one.

His reason for not repeating it was that it's a diagnostic test used alongside bloods, symptoms, patient history and ultrasound to arrive at a first diagnosis, once diagnosed a change in any or all of the tests does not change the diagnosis.

If I was tested for the first time today it's doubtful if the conclusion would be cirrhosis and I would not qualify for 6 monthly check ups.

It's nice getting improved results (probably means normal life expectancy) so do all you can to keep it that way.

[D6C2L30E-48 in reply to Roy1955]

Could my hi reading maybe due to the hepatitis

[AyrshireK in reply to D6C2L30E-48]

It is possible for a kPa figure to be falsely elevated in the presence of ongoing liver inflammation a.k.a. hepatitis as fibroscan can notoriously not differentiate between actual fibrous tissue and that which is inflamed so your initial 62 score was probably a false high and more recent lower one more acurate (depending on what your bloods were also revealing at the time).

My hubby has never had a fibroscan because cirrhosis was so obvious on ultrasound and symptoms that it added nothing to his diagnosis but in your case where you had ongoing inflammation at the time it makes sense they are repeating the fibroscan later in the year to see if there has been improvement.

Katie

[Roy1955 in reply to D6C2L30E-48]

"Could my hi reading maybe due to the hepatitis"

Almost certainly and some long term damage is probable.

[Iro1 in reply to Roy1955]

Interesting, did you have a biopsy to confirm cirrhosis?

[Roy1955 in reply to Iro1]

No I did not have a biopsy. Never have had symptoms either.

Routine bloodtest at age 60 flagged up high ggt.

Drinking history scans including MRI and fibroscan along with ELF all pointed to cirrhosis.

If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, then it's probably a duck🦆

[Iro1 in reply to Roy1955]

are you monitored if you dont mind me asking? with 6 mos us?

[Roy1955 in reply to Iro1]

Yes.But gone from US scan to MRI every 6 months to get a better picture.

Looking at your older posts it's unlikely you have cirrhosis and there's no need for regular check ups.

Anxiety is a very real problem so addressing that might be better than worrying too much about your liver.

I know that for a couple of years my anxiety about a diagnosis was terrible.

[Iro1 in reply to Roy1955]

thank you I have gone back to the secretary to get a definitive letter

[Deb3822 in reply to Roy1955]

I've been 1 Yr clear of cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is only identified with a biopsy.

[Roy1955 in reply to Deb3822]

Biopsy is the test of last resort. If non invasive tests indicate obvious cirrhosis a biopsy is not going to add or subtract from the diagnosis.

[Iro1]

Hi

I had 10.8 told I had cirrhosis by the consultant.

then fell to 8.8 told I did not have cirrhosis, that cirrhosis needs a biopsy to be confirmed.

This was by the nurse specialist who did the 8.8 scan directly contradicting the consultant.

Lost 25 kg since the 8.8 one

Suspect that I have a cirrhotic liver 'in parts' and that it wil not affect my lifespan and as I have no symptoms whatsoever it is a warning to stay fit. at a good weight and never drink wine other than at mass.

[uihuihuih0 in reply to Iro1]

Hi,

Was that what the doctor told you that you could live a normal life expectancy? Thanks.

[Iro1 in reply to uihuihuih0]

No, he did not put me on surveillance, no 6 month check.It took me two years of chasing his secretary rather unwisely read out an email 'Mr R has to accept he has cirrhosis ...

It was the actions of a specialist nurse who got me in within days fibroscaned me and told me that I did not have cirrhosis.

Never been fitter or healthier.

A nurse de cirrhosed me

[uihuihuih0 in reply to Iro1]

Oh nice result,

I wish I could be decirrhosied, sadly not as mine was confirmed from a biopsy.

[Deb3822 in reply to uihuihuih0]

I had cirrhosis and it is reversible. I was given 2 to 5yrs to live if I continued living the high life. After 12 yrs the cirrhosis is gone. I dramatically changed my life style and not touched a drop of Alcohol since, not that I drank much lol. Cirrhosis isn't a death sentence like it used to be.

[Iro1]

understood

[X100]

I have cirrhosis and my hep doc runs a fibroscan every year. Like others have said, it is not confirmatory on its own - just a useful indicator alongside bloods/US/MRI etc. My scores are also going down due to lifestyle changes. Hep Doc explained that this is all good -but it doesn’t change diagnosis and ongoing need to be a good boy. However what it helps with is understanding the risks of the bad side effects of cirrhosis and in particular risks of HCC (which help doc is focused on). He said it’s possible not withstanding cirrhosis is present to get to a position where the risk of complications get to the similar stage as someone without cirrhosis but cautioned that this doesn’t mean I can go back to old ways. I will always have cirrhosis but it’s possible with continued good habits the consequence of that diagnosis can be minimal.

[Iro1 in reply to X100]

A brilliant explanation this makes me think that I am in the same position as you.These are the words of the letter.

'R... is not happy with his diagnosis of cirrhosis'

So I have a diagnosis of cirrhosis

'His death is not imminent'

So what does "imminent' mean? 1 year, 3 years?

'He is really on the cusp of cirrhosis'

So I dont have it???

This is the letter I received after I was unsectioned from hospital

In hospital I was told by a doctor you have cirrhosis and your depression is caused by it so no more anti-depressants

They kept on with the anti ds

[MINTVCX]

"In several studies, the Fibroscan showed high sensitivity and specificity levels when predicting hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis in patients with chronic liver disease. With regards to cirrhosis, the specific and sensitivity of the Fibroscan approaches 90%, however when detecting liver fibrosis the sensitivity and specificity reduces to 70%-80%. Numerous variables can influence the Fibroscan as it utilizes ultrasound technology. For example, adipose tissue and the presence of fluid can alter the velocity of the shear wave. Furthermore, obesity, intercostal wall thickness, liver congestion, elevated portal vein pressure, operator inexperience, heart failure and ascites can all reduce the accuracy of the Fibroscan"

[Grassroots112]

Hi, how did they confirm cirrhosis? Was it on the spot and based on your first fibro-scan only or a totality of results and or symptoms? I was hospitalised last March 2023 with jaundice and ascites and on my charts it said alcohol hepatitis, and no-one would really say he has cirrhosis, yet obtaining my full medical records the back of office records stated likely decompensated cirrhosis. My first real fibro scan kind of confirmed thing reading 22.2kpa, but my doctors were seemingly happy to not fully diagnose me until my liver had a good chance of stabilising, the inflammation to go down and to see how things would be after a few months sober. My last fibro scan read 9kpa and now my doctors are stating moderate fibrosis, but pushing them for more info they have said my liver is still scarred, which is what fibrosis is, but it’s healed and functioning, actually remodelled as they called it. I’m hoping for you your liver has remodelled and will continue to do so so that any initial diagnosis of cirrhosis proves wrong. Good luck and take care.

[ballie52]

Compensated cirrhosis can be seen very clearly on ultrasound have had Compensated cirrhosis for yrs now and go for 6mth ultrasounds!No issues other than fatigue now!

Liver cirrhosis isn't a death sentence for most now if the cause can be eradicated!

Near normal lifespan!