I'm getting a fibroscan done on Tuesday, my first time. My doctor and specialist said they don't think I have anything as serious as cirrhosis, given that my last three ultrasounds done jn 2021, 2023 and August 13, 2024 all showed the same thing: grade 1 steatosis (mild fatty liver) with no other abnormalities. All liver enzyme and liver function tests have been well within normal for a long time. The reason for the fibroscan, according to my internist, is because in an endoscopy done by a gastroenterologist in July, he ghpught he saw portal gastropathy, which is often, although not always caused bybportal hypertension and cirrhosis.
Regardless, can anyone with experience with fibroscans tell me what the numbers are that I should look for, and their significance, once the scan is done?
Thanks very much in advance,
Terry
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ToughToes
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Hi ToughToes, while i had the fibroscan many years ago and none since, not sure what exact numbers were. I think 9.2 kPa and 350 or 400 fat. I had diagnosis of probable cirrhosis f4 and advanced fatty liver. I also had various blood test all showing something different. The US that started it all showed an enlarged fatty liver but no tumors. A US cannot show much else. After all testing my gastroligist was willing to accept the f4 cirrhosis and that was his diagnosis. I went for 2nd opinion, that hepotoligist/gastroligist just looked at my hands and chest saying he didn't think I had cirrhosis and because all test indicated something different and because he didn't use the fibroscan as a tool he suggested the biopsy. Which I did, that result was stage 1 fibrosis and mild fatty liver. He said the fibroscan can be inconsistent due to many variables, such as how fat you are. Every year after I had the US checking for tumor and a couple blood test. However he left and my new gastroligist wants the US every 6 months with blood test. Not sure why. I have only met with him through video. He says the only true test is biopsy but I guess unless blood work indicates different, I won't need that only every 5 years which would be in 3 more years.Let us know more after your test if you have questions about results. At that point you would probably hear more from the members. Good luck.
Thanks for all the information. Now I am concerned, because while I don't think I'm obese, I am 5' 11" and 215 lbs, so maybe 25-30 lbs overweight. If the fibroscan assessment is thrown off my my excess weight, I'm now wondering if there's much point in spending $90 to do it.
Maybe you can discuss your concerns before the test with your doctor asking what he thinks this test might tell him. Most do use it as a tool but most test are not 100% accurate, not even a biopsy. Maybe this will just tell him whether further testing might be needed or that the numbers are of no concern. As long as your other numbers look good and the fibroscan isn't alarming then I'd not worry but try to lose some weight even just 10% is good with exercise. Personally, I guess I'd pay the $90 just to get an idea, doesn't hurt and takes about 5 actual minutes. My advise going forward...research and ask questions. Good luck, let us know.
Yeah, I will. After the fibroscan though, no more tests for a while. I've had two ultrasounds over the past 8 months, both showing minimal fatty liver (veey mild), no worsening of it from one to the next, three sets of liver enzymes done over the same period. All normal. Were it not for the gastroenterologist's suspicion he saw portal gastropathy, my doctor wouldn't have done any further testing. She even told me that when I saw her last Friday.
10 years ago, I easily walker 5 Mike's every day. Unfortunately, I have an auto-inflammatory skin condition called hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) for short, which has worsened over the past 5 years in particular, and this has made walking long distances very painful at rimes. I still try to get out every day for a short walk (15-29 minutes), but that's not really enough to lose weight. Who knows? Maybe after the fibroscan, I'll finally have some peace of mind on the liver situation and will be able to focus more on pushing through the HS pain and going for longer walks to try and lose a little weight. That's what I'm hoping for anyway. Thanks again for your help! I really do appreciate it.
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