Fibro Scan results very high in May - biopsy shows not so bad perhaps.....

[SymbolUK]

Hi,

This is only my second post other than to hopefully help someone who had some questions for me the other week.

My story is that in May this year I had a Fibroscan, not due to my LFT being high other than one anomaly that went back to normal, but my GP practice had a liver project they took part in and asked if I wanted a scan as I had a CT scan back in 2011 and it showed a fatty liver.

I didn't want to have the scan, I knew I drank too much, and stopped drinking, having been drinking regularly for over 40 years, socially and work and was my lifestyle.

I was shocked with my Fibroscan results, kPa 70.9, CAP 303.

Nobody at the GP surgery was qualified to read the results (although I knew it was bad) and the "special project clinic" that I kept being told would be set up in a few weeks never happened.

I eventually was able to use my private health insurance (they refused at first) over the last couple of months and had a barrage of blood tests that showing nothing untoward, a CT scan that showed some abnormalities, suspected or likely cirrhosis was summary. Endoscopy follow and no varices or anything remarkable as they put it, were found.

So, spoke to the consultant after all these tests and he said if I was older (I'm 56) they would go with probable cirrhosis diagnosis and refer me back to NHS for lifetime management for this condition BUT he wanted to do a biopsy, this is the "gold standard" for diagnosis he said, to be 100% sure.

I had the biopsy 2 weeks ago and the call with consultant today to discuss results. He said, and I quote:

“The biopsy report is actually quite good news in a way. It doesn’t confirm the suspicion of significant damage or cirrhosis, advanced scarring or whatever you want to call it. It shows a little bit of fatty liver and very minor marginal fibrosis but really it doesn’t tally with what the fibro scan or what the CT scan might allude to….”

Needless to say I was pretty shocked having somewhat come to terms with the Cirrhosis diagnosis.

I'm not out of the woods by any means but it has given me hope and a massive wake up call!

I shall keep doing what I have been doing, not touched a drop of alcohol since May, cut out sugar and eating healthily, losing weight and regular exercise, it's all I can do really.

I have asked for another Fibroscan by a specialist in the field as it will be really interested to see the results.

Sorry for the long post, i just thought it might of help to someone going through the same thing, as you have all been of help to me by me reading all your posts and experiences.

All the best.

Symbol

[Ilovedavid]

This is fantastic news. However, when having a biopsy, as I understand it, only a small part of your liver is taken for analysis. This part maybe ok, but another part of your liver may not. Your high Fib score denotes cirrhosis, again, as I understand it. Last year my Fib was 74kpa. Told it was cirrhosis. 2nd Fib done in July and showed it is now 40. US shows no legions, normal size. Bloods all back to normal. No symptoms, feeling OK. They cannot say, for sure, if I have cirrhosis, but are going to continue to treat me as though I have. I have given up asking about it. As long as I feel and look OK, then I'll manage. Have to say, I eat extremely healthy 95% of the time, no booze, but am getting to the point whereby if I eat something "bad" (cake, but I make them myself with good ingredients) then I feel guilty about it, which is really tormenting me at the moment. I find the whole thing so very boring. It dominates my life and my thoughts all day every day. Best wishes to you going forward.

[SymbolUK in reply to Ilovedavid]

Thanks David for your reply and your experiences. I think they took 3 to 5 samples but I agree with you, so I am going to carry on with my new regime and be kind to my liver, and see what happens.

I am under no illusions that it is not damaged, but for now it seems to be functioning ok.

all the best.

[SymbolUK]

Hi, quick update on my journey.

Repeat FibroScan this week done privately shows a kPa of 6.4 and a CAP of 296, previous kPa back in May that kicked of a barrage of tests, it showed 70.9 kPa.

The new results tie in with all the tests (CT scan/endoscopy/biopsy and bloodwork.

I’ve now lost 2st since May, off the booze and sugar and regular exercise.

The first FibroScan was obviously very wrong but my first thoughts are not, ooh I can have a drink now, but rather, how healthy can I get my liver and reversed the fat condition.

It has definitely been a massive wake up call so I’m not even annoyed at the initial shocking scan result.

This forum has been a wealth of information so thank you to all the contributors and I wish you all the best of luck in your journeys.