liver cirrhosis and fibroscan results

[pong58]

Is it possible to have liver cirrhosis with normal fibroscan results?

[rajevi06]

Hi,

My mom went through fibroscan for liver cirrhosis, and the score is 11.1 kpa.  Could you please tell me, how the condition of her liver is  now? Shall we continue with tablet alone or needs to go for transplantation.

thanks in advance,
Vidhya

[flyinlynn]

What is the cause of her liver problems? Per the score card if the cause is hepatitis C a score of 11.1 would equate to a fibrosis score of F2 to F3 so not cirrhosis and no transplant would be required.

Just to add that those with cirrhosis don't necessarily need a transplant. Only patients with very advanced liver disease will need to be on a transplant list based on their MELD score. MELD is a composite score of the persons creatinine blood test result, their bilirubin blood test result,  and their INR score which is a score relating to blood clotting time. The MELD score is on a scale of 6 to 40 and most receiving transplant need a MELD around 30.

I have had cirrhosis for 8.5 years and my MELD score is only 8 so I am not eligible to be on the transplant list nor do I need to be on the transplant list.

People who are eligible for transplant are very seriously ill with symptoms like having a very enlarged stomach to the point of looking pregnant due to fluid retention called ascities. Also patients will have a condition called hepatic encephalopathy which effects their mental capabilities. Also swollen lower legs which is called edema can be caused by cirrhosis.

But first and foremost what does her doctor say? We here are just patients and not medical professionals your best source of medical information is your doctor

[pong58]

Ty sir

[HectorSF]

Only a doctor can diagnose and treat liver disease. I would suggest you consult with a gastroenterologist or hepatologist to learn more about your hepatic steatosis, its cause and how you can best manage it. With proper treatment the development of advanced liver disease can be prevented.

Good luck to you.
Hector

[pong58]

I'm worried because my platelet count is 150,000. I had multiple spider angiomas in my chest,  lost many hair in my leg, my utz and ct scan result hepatic steatosis.

[HectorSF]

3.5 kPa means you have no fibrosis at all (F0).
A totally healthy liver.
Something that many folks would like to have.

Thanks for your question.

Be well!
Hector

[pong58]

The reading is 3.5 kpa.  Ty for explaining

[HectorSF]

Hello and welcome to the cirrhosis community.

I am not sure what you mean by a "normal" FibroScan result. Perhaps you mean no sign of liver fibrosis (F0)?

FibroScan a FDA/AASLD approved non-invasive test to measure liver inflammation and fibrosis, comparable to a liver biopsy, particularly in the higher end of the Metavir scale (Stages 3 and 4) where is it most accurate.

So a "normal" FibroScan result would indicate no chance of cirrhosis of the liver assuming the test was performed properly. Cirrhosis only develops after the liver has gone through progressive stages of fibrosis (F1, F2, F3). It is the final stage of liver disease. F4 or also called stage 4 liver disease.

The Fibroscan "scoring card" is used to convert Fibroscan results measured in (kPa) into the Metavir scale F1-F4.

F0= no fibrosis
F1= minimal fibrosis
F2= fibrosis has occurred and spread inside the areas of the liver including blood vessels
F3= fibrosis is spreading and connecting to other liver areas that contain fibrosis
F4= cirrhosis or advance liver fibrosis

For example; between 90–95% of healthy people without any liver disease will have a liver scarring measurement less then 7.0 kPa (median is 5.3 kPa). Whereas a person with chronic hepatitis C and a liver stiffness more then 14 kPa has approximately a 90% probability of having cirrhosis.

I hope this helps to explain how cirrhosis develops and how it would be detected with a FibroScan.

Also note that cirrhosis of the liver typically has multiple indications of its presence. Any good gastroenterologist (digestive system specialist) or hepatologist (liver specialist) knows what to look for and test for in a patient suspected of having cirrhosis.

Be well.
Hector