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Determining Your Liver Health with Fibroscan

Fibroscan is the most advanced non-invasive diagnostic tool for assessing liver damage. Approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2013, Fibroscan was initially introduced a decade earlier. With Fibroscan, the stiffness of the liver is measured, which indicates whether scarring is present or not, and can help determine the extent of the scarring. Fibroscan produces biomarkers that can monitor and assess patients' liver health over time.

A Fibroscan:

  • Measures the stiffness of your liver using ultrasound technology;
  • Assesses the health of the liver and the amount of liver damage;
  • Is noninvasive and doesn’t hurt; and
  • Only takes about 15 minutes.

What Is Fibroscan?

Fibroscan is a diagnostic procedure that uses transient elastography, a technique that sends ultrasound waves to the liver to measure the degree of stiffness and fat buildup in liver tissue, which can indicate liver damage or disease. Unlike traditional liver biopsies, Fibroscan does not require any surgical intervention, making it a safer and quicker option for evaluating liver conditions such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), chronic liver disease, and liver scarring.

Why Would I Need a Fibroscan?

A doctor may recommend a Fibroscan if there are concerns about liver health, especially if you are suspected of having, at risk for, or have been diagnosed with liver-related conditions. These include:

  • Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): Excess fat buildup in the liver that can lead to inflammation and scarring.
  • Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH): A more severe form of NAFLD that includes liver inflammation and may lead to scarring or liver cancer.
  • Chronic Liver Conditions: Fibroscan can measure fibrosis and cirrhosis caused by long-term liver conditions.
  • Autoimmune or viral hepatitis: These include chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
  • Liver Cancer: Fibroscan can be part of the monitoring process for patients at risk of developing liver cancer.
  • Genetic disease: These include haemochromatosis and Wilson’s Disease.

Fibroscan is also crucial to determining a patient’s fibrosis score and CAP score, which indicate the degree of liver scarring and fat content. These scores can help healthcare providers recommend an appropriate treatment course for that patient.

Fibroscan is often recommended for patients whose liver conditions need to be monitored over time to prevent or manage further complications.

Is Fibroscan Painful? How Long Does the Procedure Take?

One of the main benefits of Fibroscan is that it is painless and noninvasive. The procedure typically lasts around 15 minutes, and you will feel only a slight vibration when the ultrasound waves are delivered. A technician will apply a water-based gel to the skin over your abdomen and will ask you to raise your right arm to allow access to your liver area. The Fibroscan device then sends ultrasound waves to the liver, measuring the speed at which they travel through the tissue.

Most patients report no discomfort, and there is no recovery time necessary, so you can return to normal activities immediately after the procedure.

How Do I Prepare for My Fibroscan?

Preparing for a Fibroscan is simple, and usually, no extensive preparations are required. However, to ensure accurate results, it is essential that you do not eat or drink for at least 2 to 3 hours before the procedure. You will want to wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing as you will need to expose your abdomen during the scan. Also, avoid using lotions or oils on the abdominal area, as this may interfere with the ultrasound waves.

What Is a Fibroscan Looking For?

Fibroscan primarily assesses two key factors of liver health, liver stiffness and fatty changes in the liver. Liver stiffness and fat content are both important indicators of liver damage and can help doctors assess the extent of damage and guide treatment plans for conditions such as liver cirrhosis or liver cancer.

  • The stiffness of liver tissue can indicate the presence and severity of scarring, indicating fibrosis or cirrhosis. Liver stiffness is usually a result of chronic liver diseases such as hepatitis or NASH.
  • Changes in the amount of fat in the liver are associated with the CAP score. Measuring changes in the amount of fat in the liver is crucial in diagnosing and monitoring conditions like NAFLD.

What Is a Normal Fibroscan Result?

Fibroscan results are given as a measurement in kilopascals (kPa) for liver stiffness. The higher the value, the greater the liver stiffness, which typically suggests more advanced fibrosis or scarring.

  • Normal result: A Fibroscan score of less than 7 kPa generally indicates a healthy liver with no significant scarring. The average normal result is 5.3 kPa.
  • Mild to moderate fibrosis: Scores between 7-9.5 kPa may indicate mild fibrosis.
  • Severe fibrosis: Scores between 9-19 kPa may indicate severe fibrosis.
  • Advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis: A score of over 12.5 kPa suggests severe fibrosis or cirrhosis, indicating a significant level of liver scarring.

While these numbers are guidelines, your doctor will interpret the results of your test based on your condition, overall health, symptoms, and any other diagnostic tests that may be part of your evaluation.

When to Talk to Your Doctor

If you are experiencing symptoms of liver disease, such as abdominal pain, fatigue, jaundice, or unexplained weight loss, or if you have a condition like NAFLD, NASH, or chronic liver disease, it's essential to talk to your doctor about whether a Fibroscan is appropriate for you. This test can help assess the extent of liver damage early on and guide treatment decisions to prevent further complications, such as liver cancer or cirrhosis.

Fibroscan is a valuable tool in modern liver care, offering a quick, painless, and effective way to monitor liver health without the need for invasive procedures like biopsies. Consult with a  healthcare provider today if you have any concerns about your liver or need more information on the Fibroscan process.


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