FibroScan Liver Test Everything You Need to Know

Your liver plays a major role in digestion, metabolism, detoxification, and nutrient storage. When liver disease develops, scarring can occur before noticeable symptoms appear. A FibroScan liver test gives your gastroenterology provider a fast, noninvasive way to measure liver stiffness and check for signs of liver fibrosis. At Associates in Gastroenterology in Colorado Springs, FibroScan testing helps patients and providers better understand liver health without surgery, sedation, or a long recovery. This test may be recommended if you have abnormal liver blood work, fatty liver disease, viral hepatitis, alcohol related liver disease, cirrhosis, or another chronic liver condition.

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

What is a Fibroscan Liver Test?

FibroScan is a simple noninvasive exam that utilizes ultrasound-based technology called transient elastography in order to determine the stiffness of your liver. An abnormal amount of stiffness can indicate fibrosis, which is a type of scarring that can develop from long-term liver damage, trauma, or inflammation. FibroScan can also determine the presence of fat change in the liver by measuring something called the CAP score. Controlled Attenuation Parameter is an abbreviation of the name of a specific test used to determine your body’s capacity for fat change in the liver. This is useful for patients and providers when determining if someone is suffering from fatty liver disease, now more frequently referred to as metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease, or MASLD. This test does not involve any incision, anesthetic, or biopsy of the liver.

Why Would a Doctor Order a FibroScan Liver Test?

Your doctor may order a FibroScan if there’s a concern about liver scarring, fatty liver disease, chronic liver disease, or inflammation. The test helps the provider make a diagnosis or track a liver disease to see if it has progressed in a specific timeframe or to help them keep a closer eye on your liver health. There are a variety of reasons why a FibroScan liver test may be recommended:

• Abnormal liver enzyme results
• Fatty liver disease or suspected metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)
• Alcohol related liver disease
• Hepatitis B or C
• Autoimmune hepatitis
• Cirrhosis
• Hemochromatosis
• Wilson’s disease
• Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (sometimes referred to as MASH)
• History of liver transplant

In some cases, a FibroScan liver test will be performed in conjunction with blood work, imaging, medical history, or physical examination findings. Your provider will help you interpret the results and decide how they may fit into your full liver health picture.

How Does a FibroScan Liver Test Work?

A FibroScan liver test is a quick, noninvasive exam that measures liver stiffness and fat content using ultrasound-based technology. The test does not involve needles, sedation, or an incision.

What Happens During the Test?

During the FibroScan test, you will lie on your back on an exam table. Your provider will ask you to raise your right arm behind your head. This position gives better access to the right side of your upper abdomen, where the liver is located.

Next, your provider will apply a small amount of water-based gel to the skin over your liver. A special probe is then placed on that area. The probe sends gentle ultrasound waves through the liver for a few seconds.

You may feel a light vibration or tapping sensation as the waves pass through your skin. The test should not be painful or uncomfortable.

How Are the Results Measured?

The FibroScan device tracks how quickly the ultrasound waves move through your liver tissue. Softer liver tissue allows the waves to move more slowly. Stiffer liver tissue causes the waves to move more quickly. A computer then uses this information to estimate liver stiffness and fat content. These measurements can help your provider check for signs of liver scarring, fatty liver disease, or other liver concerns.

How to Read a Fibroscan Test Score

There are typically two types of scores provided at the conclusion of your FibroScan test. Liver stiffness score: This score is calculated using kilopascals (kPa) for measurement. A higher score may indicate some amount of fibrosis or possible cirrhosis, whereas a lower score likely means a lower amount of scarring. Your physician will explain how to read your results based on your diagnosis, medical history, and other test scores.

Resource: org/liver-diseases

CAP Score

This number is measured using decibels/meter (dB per m) for measurement. It shows the amount of liver fat change. A higher score may indicate a higher fat content in the liver.

What Should I Expect Before a Fibroscan Test?

FibroScan Test Preparation is generally straightforward. At Associates in Gastroenterology, patients are asked to be NPO (no food or drinks) for 3 hours before their FibroScan appointment. Wear loose, comfortable clothes that give you access to your upper right side of abdomen. Plan to be in our office approximately 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. You should bring your insurance card, ID, and current medication list with you to the appointment. No sedation is necessary for a FibroScan test, so patients can return to their normal activities afterward. Most patients are able to drive themselves to and from the appointment.

How Long is a FibroScan Exam?

The FibroScan exam is relatively quick, typically taking around 5 minutes. The entire appointment may last about 30 minutes or longer depending on the complexity of the case. Once the test is complete, our technology will analyze the data you just gathered. Your data is immediately available to your care provider after the examination. After our provider has evaluated the data, they will contact you to discuss your test results.

Is a FibroScan Painful?

FibroScan is a non-invasive, painless procedure. There may be a mild vibration you feel from the probe, but there are no incisions, no needles, and no sedation needed. Many patients report that the procedure is similar to that of an ultrasound test. If you are nervous before your exam, tell your care provider. We are happy to walk you through the process and explain what you will feel during the exam.

Resource: hoag.org

Is FibroScan Better Than a Liver Biopsy?

Liver biopsies and FibroScan are two separate instruments in the diagnostic arsenal for liver disease. A biopsy involves removing a small sample of tissue from the liver. In some cases, you may need a biopsy if your results are not clear, or if your doctor needs further information. The advantage of FibroScan is that it is non-invasive and non-operative, giving your doctor a better view of stiffness and fat changes in your liver. For many patients, this can reduce the need for a liver biopsy or help your doctor make an educated decision if a biopsy is needed.

Resource: niddk.nih.gov

Who Should Get Tested for Liver Fibrosis?

Liver fibrosis can be asymptomatic. Often, patients with very early liver scarring do not show any symptoms. If you are at risk for liver disease, it may be appropriate for you to talk to a provider about FibroScan. You may benefit from a FibroScan if you:

• Have Type 2 diabetes
• Have obesity or metabolic syndrome
• Have high cholesterol or triglycerides
• Have a history of alcohol abuse
• Know that you have Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C
• Have a family history of liver disease
• Have abnormal liver lab work
• Have been diagnosed with fatty liver

Getting tested early will allow your doctor to detect liver scarring in a very early stage. Knowing your current health status can help your provider make recommendations for your liver function.

What Are My Next Steps to a Healthier Liver?

After your FibroScan, there are several different pathways you may take. Depending on your results and the suspected etiology, you may need follow-up blood tests and further testing, such as an MRI. Other patients may need treatment for their hepatitis, alcoholic or metabolic liver disease, or autoimmune liver disease. The best thing you can do for liver health may include:

• Losing weight
• Limiting alcohol consumption
• Eating a nutritious diet
• Getting regular exercise
• Keeping diabetes under control
• Taking prescribed medicines

Always check with your provider before taking any supplements or changing any medications.

Final Thoughts

A FibroScan liver test can give your provider useful information about liver stiffness, scarring, and fat change without surgery or sedation. If your doctor has recommended FibroScan testing, Associates in Gastroenterology in Colorado Springs offers this quick, noninvasive liver assessment in an outpatient setting. Contact Associates in Gastroenterology to request an appointment.