13% IQR, 318 CAP score, 15.2 kPa (NAFLD). Is this bad or the IQR is small enough?

[Kjun54321]

I got my fibroscan results and I am not sure if I’m understanding them right. 13% IQR. I read what it means, but how does that fit with a 318 cap score and 15.2 kPa? Is it close to cirrhosis? Or most scarring or just a bunch of fat?

[ThyroidDeb]

My understanding is IQR is a reliability indicator for the test. Your fibroscan should have given you a score, such as; F1 thru F4, that would tell you your supposed stage. Mine for example said F4 "probable" cirrhosis. Did you have any other test in addition? What were the results from those? Have other test indicated the same stage or are you getting different readings from each? What has your hepotoligist said about your results? You do need to concentrate on a healthy diet and losing weight if needed. Good luck, keep us posted. I'm sure you will hear from others soon. Everyone is great out here.

[Kjun54321 in reply to ThyroidDeb]

My ALT was 71. My AST was 46. Showing above normal for both. My ultrasound showed Hepatomegaly with Steatosis. A different diagnosis is NAFLD. I called a few times to get info from my GI doctor to see what rating I am at and no one calls me back. I am currently trying Intermittent Fasting and not eating many sugars or carbs. No matter the result, I definitely need to eat healthier and feel better. One step at a time.

[Kjun54321 in reply to ThyroidDeb]

Just found out my score is S3/F4 and I will be called to have a biopsy of my liver. **le sigh**

[ThyroidDeb in reply to Kjun54321]

Hopefully, as with mine it will show a much better reading. It's not the most exciting test but it's wasn't as bad as I worried about. The biopsy itself is a matter of minutes its recovery, 4 hours, 1 of which I had to lay on the right side afterward I was sitting up. You can get up any time to use the bathroom. Take a snack or two, I got water but no food, might want a book and will need someone to drive you home. Next day I put a bandaid on incision! Just take it easy 3 or so days. It might be several weeks to get your results. Don't worry, not as bad as it sounds. The shots are the worst and even that wasnt that bad!!! Lol Keep me posted or ask anything you might think of.

[nash2 Partner]

IQR is a measure of how stable the test readings were. Lower is better but most docs will use values under 20%. Your CAP and kPa scores suggest that you have a significant risk of having NASH and quite a bit of fat in your liver. You need more testing to get a proper diagnosis but you should be referred to a liver specialist for evaluation. Lots of us have much higher values so don't let it panic you but follow up is important.

Good luck, Wayne

[Kjun54321 in reply to nash2]

Thank you for the input!

[Kjun54321 in reply to nash2]

My fibroscan gave me a score of F4/S3 and I will getting an appointment to have a biopsy of my liver. If I don’t buckle down and lose weight, I could go into a bad place. I have to have a biopsy to confirm cirrhosis. Till then, it’s a fatty liver. I'm waiting on the call to schedule the biopsy.

[Shelterdog]

In Jan 2022 my Cap score was 380. In Aug after I lost 43 lbs and changed the way I eat and cook, it was 202. My Kpa score in Jan was 15 and in Aug it was 6.4. I was told my fibrosis level of F4 is now F0.

[Golendoodle in reply to Shelterdog]

Wow! Congratulations sounds like you know exactly what to do to correct fatty liver. Could you tell me what diet you follow and do you ever allow yourself a cheat day?

[Shelterdog in reply to Golendoodle]

I bought the book “Reverse your fatty liver” by Jonathan Mizell and Susan Peters. It recommends a whole food, plant based diet, which I did follow; however I do eat lean meat-fish and chicken mostly. I know I am supposed to stay away from red meat, but I do occasionally eat it if it’s lean. I eat no fried foods. My favorite thing is the way I cook my vegetables . Sauté purple onions and peeled garlic pods with organic extra virgin olive oil, then add bags of frozen vegetables and cook on low, uncovered with no added water. I add some sea salt and some pepper. They are a little but crunchy and bright green and taste so good ! I almost always put frozen broccoli and frozen green beans in there and also the broccoli Normandy from Sam’s (it has orange and yellow carrots in it plus cauliflower and of course, broccoli . One day I even added some frozen turnip greens. I eat dried beans too sometimes and baked sweet potatoes. I eat organic gala apples, oranges, grapefruit, grapes , bananas and lightly salted almonds from Sam’s. I don’t eat anything that isn’t Whole Foods-no chips, crackers, bread, dairy; no fatty meats like bacon. I miss fried chicken and cornbread! But my health is more important! I also attend an exercise class at my church 3 evenings a week for an hour each time. It is age appropriate exercise and has helped me so much! Oh and no sugar! Your liver does not like sugar! I occasionally allow myself to have a couple sugar free Reese cups and I feel like that’s my cheat! Hope this helps!!

[Golendoodle in reply to Shelterdog]

Thank you so much for all your help. I finally after two months will get to see a hepatology dr next week . I’ve been reading everyone’s post to try and figure things out for myself until then.

[Shelterdog in reply to Golendoodle]

I decided that no one cared more about my health than me, so that’s when I started. Googling all the info I could and that’s also

What lead me to buy that book. Good luck!!

You can do this!!

[Golendoodle in reply to Shelterdog]

I saw that book on Amazon and will be buying it. Thanks again

[Kjun54321 in reply to Shelterdog]

Thank you! Awesome job taking charge! I too love those mixed vegetables! I ate some yesterday. I bought a bag of Halloween candy….and gave it to my coworkers. I said “NO” to junk food for the first time in a long time. I will try really hard to change my eating habits to a healthier lifestyle. Thanks again!

[jekhan in reply to Shelterdog]

hi thats great news

[Kjun54321]

I’m curious too about how you lost the weight? I just started Intermittent Fasting, no sugar (trying), and low carb. Fingers crossed I can keep going!

[Shelterdog]

I followed that book and did low carb, low fat and no refined sugar and the weight just slowly came off. I don’t really count carbs or calories but I lost 1 or 2 lbs a week.

[Shelterdog]

intermittent fasting is awesome for your body ! Plus I am diabetic so it is great for that too! (Type 2). My A1C was 6.0 in May so I hope it’s even lower this next time

[Rosebud1027]

hi - I thought I’d jump in here - I’ve lost 40 lbs doing intermittent fast using an 8 hour eating window. I’ve tried so many diets in my lifetime and this one was so easy. I eat a plant based diet and occasionally eat poultry, buffalo, pork and fish. Whole grains, nuts, vegetables and a little fruit basically a Mediterranean diet. Now that I’m closer to my goal I’ll made an occasional dessert substituting whole grains for white flour, olive oil for butter and small amount of maple syrup for sugar. I used stevia to sweeten coffee but discovered that a sprinkle of cinnamon in coffee can substitute for a sweetener. I don’t eat out a lot in restaurants or buy prepared meals. My big cheat is to have pizza maybe once a month. It has not felt like a struggle. Keep up the good work.

[Shelterdog in reply to Rosebud1027]

it has not felt like a struggle to me either! That’s the surprising part! It’s been relatively easy! I get really full so it’s not like you feel you are having to starve yourself to lose weight !

[Kjun54321]

How hard is artificial sweetener on the liver? I was drinking “no sugar” drinks or packets, but I don’t know if I should continue.

[Rosebud1027]

when I asked my GI about using stevia, her response was the body doesn’t differentiate between sweet. So I took that as meaning the body reacts to stevia the same way as to sugar. I have cut way back on using stevia but will occasionally use it. Artificial sweetener however is a different matter in my opinion since it is chemicals and I stay away from those altogether. I have noticed in some Mediterranean recipes they use dates as a sweetener. I’d be interested in hearing if dates is okay for liver. I had read that fiber helps the body metabolize sugars easier and dates have a high fiber content.