FIBROSCAN PENDING

[anon51]

I first posted on here over 2 months ago regarding suspected liver disease. After 9 weeks the consultant finally looked at my blood results and am now waiting for a fibroscan.. Does anyone know how long these appointments can take to come through (I first went to the doctor about my blood results on 13th August)?

I would have at least expected during that time to have had more blood tests done as I've gone from drinking a bottle of wine a day to having drank 4 times in coming up for 11 weeks.

To be honest I'm not even sure which blood tests I'm meant to be looking at, though my bilirubin was at 58 umol/L, Serum Alkaline phosphatase 156 iu/L, globulin 47 g/L, GGT gamma 103 u/L and alkaline 156 iu/L.

My referral says raised ferritin, low PLT, deranged LFT, FIB 4 Fibrosis score 12. Negative HIV, Hep B/C.

Too many things to look at really, although I do understand the FIB scores as I've looked it up.

I do have slightly itchy skin but not yellow at all.

Thanks for reading

[RugbyMama]

The moderators will adjust your post because it is against the board rules to post results.

Your referral information however would suggest that your liver is struggling. It's great that you've reduced your alcohol consumption but expect to be told you need to be completely abstinent.

[anon51 in reply to RugbyMama]

ah I didn't realise you couldn't post results.. I think it was more me saying I don't know what I'm even looking at lol. I think 4 days in about 70 days is a big achievement to say I used to drink every day but I appreciate what you're saying thank you.

I was trying to find out if anyone knew how long it takes to even get the fibroscan done but I suppose it varies in different areas

[RugbyMama in reply to anon51]

For my husband it was about 3 weeks from seeing gastroenterologist to fibroscan.

The fibroscan is very quick and the results are instant.

[Breakfastbabe]

Timescales really do vary around the country. My husband was diagnosed with cirrhosis in 2019 and had his first fibroscan this year following 3 ascitic drains. He has had annual gastroscopies and ultrasounds and regular bloodtests though and was told these show a much better picture than a fibroscan.

[anon51 in reply to Breakfastbabe]

Thank you for your reply and I sincerely hope your husband is doing as well as can be expected. It’s just a waiting game here so time will tell.

[Smegmer in reply to Breakfastbabe]

Once they know its F4, checking its affect on the internals is the most important thing.

[Smegmer]

Bilirubin (58 µmol/L): Elevated bilirubin can suggest issues with liver function, bile flow, or breakdown of red blood cells.

Serum Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP, 156 IU/L) and Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT, 103 U/L): These are enzymes often elevated when there is liver or bile duct inflammation.

Globulin (47 g/L): High globulin can indicate chronic liver disease, inflammation, or immune response.

Platelets (PLT): Low levels can sometimes be a sign of liver dysfunction, as the liver produces proteins essential for blood clotting.

Ferritin: High ferritin levels may be due to inflammation or liver disease as the liver stores ferritin.

[anon51]

Thank you for this. Hopefully will get to the bottom of it soon.

[Smegmer in reply to anon51]

No worries, how much were you drinking and for how long ?

[anon51 in reply to Smegmer]

A bottle of wine a day for probably 7 years and about 4 days before that. I had a liver and kidney ultrasound done about two and a half years ago and that was fine. I’ve no yellowing that I would have expected if it was so progressed. Like I said in my original post I’m not sure what I’m looking at as there were so many bloods done and nothing since my referral. Just waiting for the fibroscan now.

[Smegmer in reply to anon51]

The bloods are pointing to serious Liver damage Im sorry to say. Ultrasounds arent great and might not show enough detail, its a fuzzy pic.

[art4949 in reply to anon51]

I hope your Fibroscan helps to clarify any damage to your liver thus far. This will help specialists to determine what advice and treatment you need going forward. And lifestyle changes to improve outcome. Also, make sure you have been tested for HCV, for example. You don’t have to be a drug addict to become infected by HCV.

I’ve used this website: labtestsonline.org.uk

Also, the NHS ap provided by the NHS. (blue one). Make sure you’re registered. Sign in navigate to your ‘blood test results’ page…latest one on top….you can choose to click on a particular result like your ferritin results and scroll to bottom of that page for a further link detailing that particular blood test results ie ferritin. It is a very useful tool.

Hope this helps.

[anon51 in reply to art4949]

Thank you. I was tested for hepatitis and these were negative. I do have the app but there were about 20 plus test results on there and the ones I look up do point at liver disease. It’s almost 12 weeks since I stopped drinking but I’ve now developed such an annoying itch and you would have thought things would be improving and not getting worse. It would be nice to get the scan out of the way so I can move forward knowing the definite cause but no appointment as of yet and no repeat bloods done in almost 3 months either.

[BritishLiverTrust8 Moderator British Liver Trust]

Dear anon51

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