Fibroscan Score question

[stringer]

I just recieved the results from my Fibroscan this morning. My score was 8.3. The hepa doc said I was between a stage 1 and stage 2. This seems more like a stage 2 from what I have read. Anyone know the score ranges for each stage? I have a viral load of 6.7 million IU/ml. My liver enzymes are slightly elevated. Kidney functions are normal and blood counts are normal. I will know my genotype next week.    

[jmjm530]

Yes, diet and exercise are good advice. Getting down to your ideal BMI is probably the most important thing you can do for your health now. Look into one of the lower carb diets like "Sugarbusters" or "South Beach". As far as supplements, I'm not that well versed here but make sure to check your liver enzymes at least monthly whenever you add something new.

As to "different stages in different parts of liver", the trial protocol for Fibroscan is taking the mean of multiple readings on a *single* spot. I do understand that HR uses multiple spots but since most studies (Fibroscan and those with needle biopsies) use a single spot, not sure how one would evaluate that information. According to my Fibroscan coordinator, the Fibroscan readings are remarkably similar in all areas areas although I never got to test that by asking them to take readings from different spots. I did ask the technician to do so, but at that moment a visiting  observation team walked into the room so it was never done.

-- Jim

[bajawoman]

Yes you are correct on all points  I am bordering stage 3 and was advised I do have time to wait and was recommended supplements in the meantime and diet and excercise there was one area bad but with the fibroscan it seems to be able to take a broad spectrum reading of the liver as explained to me and one can be different stages in different parts of their liver  am I correct on this ??
b

[jmjm530]

Copy: The last studies i saw about the Fibroscan was it was not that accurate on the low end but almost 100% for high score (cirrhosis)
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My mid-treatment Fibroscan score was 9.5 which put me on the cusp of stage 2 and 3. The other way they put it was that they were 90% certain I did not have cirrhosis. Six months post treatment my score was 8 which puts me at an early stage 2.

I know you've posted before, but could you go over how your Fibroscan, Fibrosure and liver biopsy correlated -- with dates. Thanks.

-- Jim

[jmjm530]

From what has been posted (CS, HR, Myself) you appear more stage 2 than stage 3 although "HR" has quite an overlap between stage 2 and 3.  Assuming he gave  you the scan, perhaps he's giving you a conservative reading and/or factoring in BMI (which could affect a scan) or something else. In any event, even if stage 3, I doubt "8.7" would indicated advanced stage 3 (bridging fibrosis) but more very early stage 3 which some might argue gives you at least a couple of years to wait for better drugs. But personally, given your score, age and BMI, and genotype (1?) I'd go for a tradtional needle liver biopsy and be certain.

-- Jim

[jmjm530]

Unofficial Values from Fibroscan Trial Center 2 years ago:

<7.5  stage 0 or 1
7.5-9.5  stage 2
9.5 - 12.5 (or 14) stage 3

Values reported by HR in his practice:

4-7  stage 1
5.5-11  stage 2
7.5-16 stage 3

[copyman]

I forgot to mention that I had a liver bx 2 months after the scan and it was barely a stage 1. Also fibroSURE bloodtest results were 0-minimal fibrosis. The fibrosure was actually closer to the bx.