Fibroscan – is it too early to be jubilant?

[Trotter2024]

I do now feel like a fraud being here 😔 and my apologies to anybody here who feels I’ve created a storm in a teacup for myself and that I should clear the cyber waves for genuine issues. But in fairness to myself my GPs have been expressing serious concerns to me, I feel suggesting that I’m bound to have liver disease and that the fibroscan was to help determine extent/severity.

Abnormal blood test results, deranged liver enzymes and a Fib4 score of 1.55 prompted my GP to send me for a Fibroscan. 7 weeks later the hospital has written to me with a result, kind of, which is:

“….currently your liver has not developed fibrosis and the scan returned a normal result…”.

I’m stunned to read the words stating no fibrosis because despite being in an “indeterminate” band I was expecting at least some fibrosis! Yet the wording above suggests F0 I think? The hospital letter contains no figures/scores/readings. It sounds like a win and a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders today 🙂

The likely cause of my deranged liver enzymes has not yet been explained and hopefully my GP will have something to say when I see them 9th May.

Can I ask if there's anybody in a similar position and what questions I should ask my GP next?

Best wishes to all.

[MINTVCX]

“….currently your liver has not developed fibrosis and the scan returned a normal result…”.

The lowest possible result for Fibroscan is usually F0/F1. However F1 is also considered to be almost normal. In fact without biopsy is it impossible to see the difference between these low stages.

However the best is to wait for your GP's opinion. The best source.

[Wi-llow]

I have fibrosis level 4. My Consultant expressly stated I do not have Cirrhosis of the liver, I contacted her again after someone telling me that fibrosis of the liver level 4 is cirrhosis of the liver, which worried me. However, she did say that I must change my diet, exercise more, and do not drink alcohol (I do not drink Alcohol), of course I do have blood tests and a scan every 6months. I really think you should be guided by your GP/Consultant and ask any questions to give you peace of mind.

[AyrshireK in reply to Wi-llow]

There are several scoring systems used for staging liver fibrosis. Two of the main ones are Metavir Scale and Ishak Scale. In these scales what F4 represents are different. F4 in Metavir is cirrhosis but on the Ishak its only F3 it depends which one your doctor is using and your lifestyle changes may indeed make a difference.

Katie

Comparison of Ishak/Metavir Scales.

[Trotter2024]

I can see I’m way out of my depth with Fib-4 scoring. For starters I’d assumed one scale was the same as another. My GP came up with the same Fib-4 score as me, but I don’t suppose that means they arrived at the same predication. The calculator I used was showing Ishak 2-3, hence why I’ve been fretting whilst waiting for a Fibroscan reading (but I do appreciate that score is trivial to many here). Also, it’s not clear to me what the suspected cause of raised enzymes etc is. Earlier abdominal ultrasound report stated no fatty liver.

So hospital saying “normal” result. GOOD! :o) It’s just that I felt there was a significant mismatch between the Fib-4 result and the report of “liver has not developed fibrosis” and that’s when I started to wonder how accurate Fibroscans might be, and whether it’s too early to cheer.

Previously my platelets were a tad low (instead of usually being just above lower limit) and I feel that maybe had a significant effect on the Fib-4 result. Tomorrow I’m going to ask my GP surgery to slot me in for a full blood test, at the request of my GP three months ago. Hopefully my next results will be better 3 months on and so may help with any predictions. But yes I hear you, ultimately it’s my GP I need to listen to, it’s just that at my surgery it’s very long wait for a very rushed chat, I’m just trying to keep ahead and prepare my questions for when I do see the GP :o)