Fibroscan questions

[envirogirl]

Has anyone ever had normal multiple US, EUS, CT scan and MRI w/contrast and had bad news on Fibroscan? LFTs fluctuate between 20s-70s, but I've had reactivated Epstein Barr Virus, so that may be the issue. Cholesterol ~200 for years but good>bad and ratio excellent. Nervous to get this done!

[MINTVCX]

Well please check my situation:

healthunlocked.com/fatty-li...

Alone fibroscan as any test can be false positive. But of course any abnormal result should be checked further just not to miss something. Please consult all with your hepatologist and he/she should do any needed further diagnosis steps. Unfortunately there is no simple answers here. Only some probability.

Please check also this:

healthunlocked.com/fatty-li...

Good luck and try not to worry to much. Stay positive.

[nash2 Partner]

Hi Enviro

A challenge we have is that the traditional tools like US, CT, and MRI don't do a good job with fibrosis which is the liver condition that we worry about. Many of us have had that exact experience so you can be surprised by FibroScan or MRE tests looking at liver stiffness. Viral infection and inflammation make the liver stiffer by themselves so if you are having issues that suggest potential liver problems I'd suggest being evaluated by a hepatologist as they are best qualified to deal with liver disease.

Wayne

[envirogirl in reply to nash2]

I have been suffering from reactivated EBV for the past year so I am afraid the scan may appear worse due to that, if that makes sense. I might be misreading how the scan itself works.

[nash2 Partner in reply to envirogirl]

The scan measures stiffness which we interpret as being caused by scarring but anything that makes the liver stiffer, like inflammation, will raise that reading and is one of the things that has to be considered when looking at results. It isn't wrong you just have to appreciate what it is saying and more testing may be needed to get a clear picture of the disease.

[Ilovejoe in reply to nash2]

I had an s with elastrography that came out F0-1 and an US of upper right quadrant that the radiologist read as cirrhotic liver and nodular contour. My hepatologist had all reports at visit and did not see a bad liver, he actually thought the pictures looked good and was pleased with my health. I wanted more and he said a MRE was the next best thing to biopsy which he preferred not to do to ease my mind about mixed reports. I did get one it said No Hepatic Fibrosis! I want to talk to the radiologist that read the US. Geez, is it like this often? Is biopsy the only way to go? Thanks in advance, I appreciate your thoughts.

[nash2 Partner in reply to Ilovejoe]

diagnosis is a challenge and US is not very good but more often underestimates the problems. The MRE has good diagnostic stats but most don't get one because of cost so a lot of people struggle to get a proper diagnosis.

[Ilovejoe in reply to nash2]

Thanks for your help. I am calling myGI to discuss this further.

[MINTVCX]

Maybe you can ask your hepatologist if LIVERFASt or ELF tests can be helpful in your situation? They are specific blood test which can detect degree of fibrosis.

Can you write if your FibroScan shows fat in your liver? I mean your CAP score?