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Fibroscan results

Hi All,

Had my 9 month EOT follow up yesterday and had a Fibroscan. The result was 11kPa. In July of 2014 it was 10.3. Before the scan the PA seemed confident that I would show great improvement and even mentioned the number 5 since I did achieve SVR and all my blood work has been great. Platelets went from 155 at EOT to 202 yesterday which seems to indicate improvement in my liver, right? We were both disappointed in the scan result although I think my expectations were lower than hers. The PA then told me that 10.3 and 11 are essentially the same result since Fibroscan is inexact and results are in a range, not an absolute number. Both results indicate F3 fibrosis. A biopsy in June of 2013 showed F2-3 fibrosis.

Anybody have any knowledge about whether this is a normal result or something I should be concerned about? Otherwise all is good and I feel fine. Thanks! Dave



13 Responses
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Avatar universal
Hope in Pa.   Smooth Texture is the optimal word here.  Yes, you could have some fibrosis but that's easily fixable.  Cirrhosis is really what you want to avoid, and your liver texture would not be smooth if your were Cirrhotic.
If I had the same results as you on your scans, I would be overjoyed!
Only thought is to keep living the healthy lifestyle.
Take care
......Kim
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
So many knowledgeable people here! I have a quick question. I've never had fibroscan or biopsy. All I had was US and MRI without contrast -- in both cases nothing odd was noted. The US reported "smooth texture".

Q: despite that, could I still have some degree of fibrosis, even though it's not seen on US and MRI?

Thank you very much for your reply.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Klonny (Dave).   OMG what fabulous news.  I'm so very happy for you.  It honestly comes down to a commitment of lifestyle which proves to everyone that taking care of yourself will in the long run pay off.
Thanks for keeping us in your thoughts and reminders that we can in time undo years of viral onslaught.
As always best to you Klonny.
......Kim
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
What wonderful news!  That is a drop of 6+ points!  How great is that?  Boy, does that encourage me to keep on keeping on.  

My 1year labs are coming up the end of Noc and I see the Dr in early Dec.  I am expecting (hoping for) good results.  My Dr doesn't do the US unless he sees something that he thinks is a problem, thinks if you are UND and stay on the liver friendly diet your liver will handle itself, so I won't have a measure of how much it has improved (or not), but I can live with that as long as my numbers stay good, the AFP stays in the normal range and I keep feeling well.

Again, congratulations!  

Blessings,

Pat
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Everyone. It's been a while since I was on here.I decided to take a break for a while. Anyway I had another Fibroscan a couple of weeks ago and the result came back 5.3! That's F0-F1. The hep doctor said I am cured, my liver has healed and he released me from his care. I am to get yearly ultrasounds as a precaution to screen for liver cancer but he said the chances of developing HCC are very small but a bit higher than the general population since I was at F3. Hope everyone is doing well!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Everyone. It's been a while since I was on here.I decided to take a break for a while. Anyway I had another Fibroscan a couple of weeks ago and the result came back 5.3! That's F0-F1. The hep doctor said I am cured, my liver has healed and he released me from his care. I am to get yearly ultrasounds as a precaution to screen for liver cancer but he said the chances of developing HCC are very small but a bit higher than the general population since I was at F3. Hope everyone is doing well!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks everybody, your opinions confirm my expectations about this.Yes I thought a score of 5 was overly optimistic.I'm a bit surprised because the PA I've been working with is usually much more conservative in her opinions. She's a sweet caring person so I don't fault her for it. I think she probably learned a lesson about not saying anything until the test is done.

Kim-When I had the ultrasound of my liver back in the spring of 2013 it said the architecture was smooth, no nodularity. In retrospect given how long I had the virus (35 years) and my drinking habits I'm amazed I don't have cirrhosis. There is much to be grateful for.  In the absence of the virus and the corresponding inflammation I think at the very least there will be no further damage I think we both have reasons for optimism.

Anyway, the virus is gone and I feel great. My liver is functioning just fine and it will heal in it's own time, and I do believe it will heal. I will continue with no alcohol and lots of exercise (6,686 miles on my road bike in 2014).

Best, Dave
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Avatar universal
I agree with Dee.  And, as Kim said, there have been a couple of people posting 1 after 4 or 5 years post tx and one after 8, whose posts stuck in my mind.

Both said that they continued the liver friendly diet, hydration, exercise, etc., and their livers have regenerated 2 or 3 levels (stages?). A very positive thing to hear.  I plan on continuing the lifestyle, praying that my liver will improve.

The liver is an amazing organ, but as Kim said, it takes time.  9 months is a short time in the scheme of regeneration.  please don't get discouraged, and keep on doing liver healthy behaviors and I believe that, over time, you will be one of those ableto post improvement.  (I hope to be). : -)

Pat
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Avatar universal
Hey,

Fibroscan, like fibrosure, is, as I recall, has greater certainty at predicting fibrosis accurately at both the lower level of fibrosis (F0-F1) and cirrhosis, but is more uncertain in between (F2-F3).

I still believe your liver is improving and you should too! In general, I would expect that improvement in fibrosis takes longer.

Good Luck.

I hope you are enjoying life.

Jo
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Klonny. I go along with Dee and feel as tho this is to soon.  From my understanding it took mega years to get this bad, and its not going to radically improve in less then a year.  And as Rexx said, its not that reliable anyway.
In fact at Mayo Clinic they don't endorse the Fibroscan.
I have to go with the Platelets as a better indicator of liver disease.  Even Howie seems to weigh heavy credence in your Platelet count.  You and I started Tx at the same time, you being F3 and I was supposedly early cirrhotic.  We have both cleared with the same Tx Sovaldi/Riba for Geno 2 and 12 weeks.  Just had my MRI and bloodwork as well.  Platelets going in were 118 and now 134.  Have to bank on the fact that we have both shown improvement.  Think its to early in the game to claim that our livers will not show regeneration.  Have to think you have a much better shot as your level of scarring was less then mine.
Did they give you an idea of your livers architecture?  Nodular or smooth?
Mine is still a bumpy mess but am hoping that will improve given time.
Hey, you feel great.  That's the goal.  I'm also feeling top-notch and so glad to be rid of this virus.
As a precaution you may want to continue with your liver friendly life.  Ride your bike, no alcohol, stick with the supplements.  Still going with the Milk Thistle and do believe its helping whether placebo effect or for real.
Have done my research till I'm blue in the face concerning Regeneration. Try to focus on those patients with solid facts to back up reversal.  For some a good 10 years went by before their livers reverted a few stages.  I know how physiologically we want it back so desperately.  Please give it more time and I do believe next year you will be riding a F1.
Wishful thinking?  I honestly don't think so.
Take Care Dave and please keep us posted.
....Kim
Helpful - 0
2059648 tn?1439766665
I believe that it takes time like Dee said.   It was a few years before I saw real change.   Platelets went up and overall felt that my liver had improved.  The hepatitis C treatment itself effects your liver.   Everyone is different and at different stages.   So for some it takes longer to bounce back.  

Best to you
Helpful - 0
1084115 tn?1385228589
I had several fibroscans over the past 2 years since I reached SVR.The first after was 10.3 then 9.3 then in another hospital 5.7.back in my clinic I had another two one 9.5 and the last was 9.3.
So all results are going for f3 this was also showing in my biopsy 5 years ago.
I have to be honest and say I don't trust fibroscan to much as I feel continuing more sick allthough my US ,blood tests and fibroscan do not correlate to what i am feeling.I mean feeling like my liver is fully cirrhotic.
That's just my own humble opinion.

Marc
Helpful - 0
317787 tn?1473358451
Hi there, I think it is normal.  That is just my opinion.  I had read somewhere on here that it takes time for the liver to improve.  My improvement was noted 2 and a half years after finishing tx.  I am not saying that would happen for you.  Just an example.  JimJim530 and Andiamo both came back here several years after finishing their tx and said that their status had changed one or two levels.  It is encouraging to me.
Take Care, congratulations
Dee
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