liver Blood Results

Recently had a FIB-4 with a result of 3.1, which indicates a high likelihood of advanced liver fibrosis.

Paid for an Enhanced Liver Function test which is 9.2 which apparently means advanced liver fibrosis is unlikely and to make some lifestyle changes and retest in 3 years.

I’m assuming the ELF is the most accurate. I have also got an appointment with a consultant on a self pay basis in a couple of weeks, arranged before the ELF result. My GP had referred me for a fibroscan on the back of the FIB-4, but the NHS waiting list is massive, hence the self-pay. Should I still go and see the consultant and pay for a fibroscan, or rely on the ELF result?

Thanks

[Sunnyskies33]

I would want the fibroscan because it would be good to know what level of scarring (if any) is present even if not severe. That way you can see if it improves with whatever liver healthy lifestyle changes you need to make.

[Hidden in reply to Sunnyskies33]

Yes, that’s the way I was leaning. Thank you.

[Sunnyskies33 in reply to Hidden]

And remember...scarring at any level below cirrhosis can be helped and sometimes completely reversed through lifestyle changes! The fibroscan will also show how much fat is on your liver. If too much it is good to know as it can motivate change and results are measurable.

[QuietButBold in reply to Sunnyskies33]

Yes, I agree. For me, I feel the Fibroscan somehow helped make things seem more tangible / real.

[Hidden in reply to QuietButBold]

Thanks

[Corin1950]

It’s up to you and your financial resources. I had a similar ELF score and I decided to pay for a private consultation and fibroscan as it was towards the end of Covid time and there was a 16 week waiting list. As it happened the fibroscan showed little or no fibrosis (kpa) but quite a high CAP score indicating moderate fatty liver. Since then I’ve given up all alcohol and eat a healthy diet. I’ve list some weight but still carrying a few extra pounds.

You could adapt your lifestyle immediately and wait for an NHS fibroscan. Lots of good advice on the Liver Trust website to do this and read previous posts. Good luck whatever you decide.

[Hidden in reply to Corin1950]

Thank you. I do have a fatty liver, so I’ll be doing the fibroscan.

[Dexter786]

if you want a free Fibroscan a check out the British liver function roadshows or Google panthera clinical trials who also offer Fibroscans for free and they are dotted around the UK

[Hidden in reply to Dexter786]

Thanks. Next are in March I think.

[Roy1955]

"Treatment" will be the same regardless of fibroscan results so as my consultant put it "no point in chasing numbers"!So I paid private for a fibroscan

Sounds like lifestyle changes will be the only thing advised regardless of result so might as well wait for the NHS one.

It's strange but NHS will not accept the private one and will still want their own done before suggesting a diagnosis and ongoing surveillance.

[Hidden in reply to Roy1955]

Thanks. I want to know as soon as I can really so will do the private route. Will nhs still take me on when an appointment comes round for ongoing monitoring? I guess I wouldn’t need to tell them?

[Roy1955 in reply to Hidden]

It's a bit naughty but ask your private consultant to transfer you to his NHS list, most say yes.If not the private consult will not effect your NHS entitlement.

[Hidden in reply to Roy1955]

Thank you

[ColinH324 in reply to Roy1955]

I went private to find out what was going on after having a massive bleed around my stoma and losing around 1.5 litres of blood (12 stoma bags full of fresh blood). My NHS gastro did an urgent CT which showed varices and portal hypertension, but the private doctor did MRIs, endoscopies, liver biopsies, ultrasounds, etc. which gave the full diagnosis of PSC and cirrhosis. I then wrote to the liver disease clinic at Kings Hospital, copied in my NHS and private reports and saw the liver team there on the NHS quite quickly. They moved me to the advanced liver disease clinic and did a fibroscan in the clinic. If you have a good liver/hepatology department at a nearby hospital, it would be worth seeing if you can get on their books and get things moving more quickly. I am very involved in my ongoing monitoring/care and have a good relationship with my GP, hepatology team and will be seeing a hepatologist with a speciality in PSC in 2 months time.