Updates and locations of Fibroscan??

[hopelyn1953]

I live in Port St Lucie, Florida, considered the Treasure Coast. I am going to have my second liver biopsy in 2 weeks. The first one hurt me so bad I have always said I'd rather die than to have another one. Well now I have to have another one and I'm not looking forward to it. They tell me they will use Versed so I won't remember the the pain, but that is worrisome too. I'd much prefer the Fibroscan! If anyone has any new info on this procedure please let me know! Has it been approved or are they still doing trials? I heard there is a Dr. Schiff in Miami that does them? Are the insurance companies covering this yet? Any info would be helpful!!

[Sweetpeaxo1]

They do them in Zephryhills at Florida Hospital. 7050 Gall Boulevard.

[flyinlynn]

Hi and welcome

This is a 5 year old thread first post was in 2010 and last post was in 2014 I suggest you go to the top right of the page and select the green post a question link and post a new question that way more will see your question and respond

Best of luck
Lynn

[sheilamace]

I live in the Tampa area and would like to find out if anyone knows where to go for a fibroscan here.  I have great insurance, BC/BS and would like to use it as I live on a limited budget.  I have had several liver bios in past years and found it doesn't hurt me.  I'm sure a number of places here in Tampa can handle that....but only one known place in St. Pete does the fibroscan and they want up front $$ and said they don't give out receipts (??)...HELP on locations and thoughts.  Thanks,
Sheila

[Northerners]

I am 14 years post transplant, genotype 1.  Had a biopsy in February this year and it showed F1.  Had a fibroscan in April and it showed over 27, which is in the neighborhood of decompensated cirrhosis.  Based on the Fibroscan test, I started Sovaldi and Riba in June.  The biopsy was probably grossly inaccurate.  

[penn1023]

I had a fibroscan last week and am 5.3 which is 1. My biopsy Sept 2011 said stage 1-2 grade 1. My doc has one in his building which was great and it only took 5minutes to do and get results.

[Maxwelldmg]

I live in Florida and would like to know where they do Fibroscans.

[hopelyn1953]

Hi there! Thanks for you help! PSL is the best! I've been here for 4 years now and we are staying! We moved from PB County and before that Key West for 10 years.

[jivacite]

The test is an MRE not an MRI and you are correct the Mayo in Jax has it and it is the same as a fibroscan

[susan400]

I had my one and only fibroscan down at Dr. Schiff's clinic  at the Univ. of Miami.  That was about 3 yrs ago, when I was participating in a clinical trial.  

Susan400

[Livelife777]

I used to live in your area but have recently moved.   You do not need a Fibroscan to determine liver damage.   They find that out with simple blood work, and an MRI.    Dr Baskin, is the only guy in town that I would recommend.   I go to the Mayo Clinic in Jax, and only 3 hour drive.   You can get an evaluation there, and follow up locally if you choose.   I go to Mayo for all my labs and tests, since live closer now.   They are Awesome!    You will want to make an appt. with a hepatologist.  They are experts in liver disease, and all at Mayo are great!  Be well and good luck.        Kim

[peter5653]

I live in Stuart, FL and I am interested in the FibroScan test (transient elastography).  I see you live in PSL.  Did you ever find out who does this testing in Florida, preferably near to us? I have hepatitis C and want to know how much fibrosis I have.  I want to know if I can wait for the new all oral interferon free regimens that will be coming out the end of 2014. I will be consulting a hepatologist at Emory University when I go visit my sister who lives in the Atlanta area (July 17 appointment).  My gastroenterologist doesn't seem too knowledgeable about HepC and I didn't like the doctor I saw in Miami.  I may see another hepatologist at Shands in Gainesville in August.  Also, do you know if there are any Hep C support groups meeting in our area?  Peter Haritakis

[48weeks]

Yes please start a new thread with a list of places that currently have the fibroscan.  I live in the mid atlantic area so I'm hoping to hear of one maybe in Philly, Baltimore or DC.  Maybe even in Delaware where I live.  I think most in this forum would be very appreciative, thanks.

[flyinlynn]

Oops
More people will see your information

Good luck

[flyinlynn]

Hi laurikis

If you would like to have your post noticed so more people can benefit from your information go to the top of the page and select post a question that way more peo

[laurikis]

Is anyone still watching this thread?  I'm a bit late to the party (4/16/14) but I have info re: Fibroscan.  My husband is the sales rep for FibroScan in Florida.  Coincidentally Hopelyn, we too live in PSL.  FDA approval was last April 2013. Not too many out there yet but the list grows daily.  I won't drone on with  specifics of where they are, etc unless I see anyone is still following this question.   Hope I can be of help.

[hopelyn1953]

Thanks tashka and everyone who put in positives for this! BillM57 are you on all the boards? LOL!

[Bali05]

FibroScan is most accurate at the ends of the spectrum F0-F1 or F3-F4.
If the FS reading indicates inbetween stages or cirrhosis it is advisable to treat or
to do bx to confirm.

Forget about FibroSure bloodmarker. I once did a bunch of those they varied
as much as 1 stage in 1 week.Out of all tests I find FibroSure most unreliable.
The first hepatologist I ever met said it was not worth the paper it is printed on.
All just personal experiences....

[tashka]

Well, in our case we know what the cause of stiiffness is-chronic hepatitis C.  

[billm57]

it would be a better test if fibrosis were the only cause of liver stiffness - but its not - and fibroscan measures liver stiffness - which adds to the margin of error for this test

[Peachy48]

I just had fibroscan a couple wks ago at UM.. My hep doc is there, professor. They do them free on Tues. from what I understand- part of a trial. I will have another in 3 mo. I am not candidate for bx, I have medical issues that wont allow. Instead they are sending me for endoscopy, MRI and NASH Fibrosure..I hope it gives me a better outlook than Fibroscan, that score was 15.1 and kinda scary.. Hope it all works out for you.

[Bali05]

like every tool it is about how it is used.
I am using FibroScan to monitor changes.
Just did three of them before and during tx all had same result 5.6 kPa
I will repeat same FS when I reach EOT and six months after

b

[mk_]

I have heard NY Mt. Sinai has one. I haven't  confirmed yet.

http://www.mountsinai.org/profiles/douglas-dieterich?id=0000072500001497131492&officeDrawer=biz

[copyman]

i used all three tests to decide I was probably a stage 1-2.

[tashka]

Looks like fibrosure was closer to the reality than fibroscan.