Hep C Discussion Forum

5-1-18 · Guru

RE: Variable Fibroscan results?

Cheddy · Moderator

This sheds light on a frequently asked question: "Will my liver get better?" Answer: "Yep, it sure can."

As Tig points out, there are many other reasons for discomfort in the area. I have asthma and when I have a big coughing fit, I sometimes get tender just beneath the bottom lower ribs. I have also had it from digestive issues. Either way, it usually resolves on it''s own. If it seems more serious, it's time to go back to the doc.

Thanks for the helpful update, Midnight.

5-1-18 · Guru

awesome news! and great for all of us as we consider this might be happening to others of us

Midnight · Member

Hi Tig

Thanks for the response and it is very heartening to see that you maintain a presence here to support others.

I am so please with my personal results following SVR and now look back with some melancholy to the old days when SVR was never guaranteed.

All the very best from the UK

Tig · Admin

Hey Tony,

That's fabulous news and a very good FS score! The ALT is also seemingly, following suit. You have every reason to be thrilled with these improvements! Many of us have witnessed good results, but yours is spectacular!

The discomfort you're feeling over the liver area is very likely digestive in nature. The ascending colon is in the same location and crosses across the abdomen in that location. The liver itself has no pain receptors, just the supporting structures. People often relate the pain in the RUQ as originating in the liver, it isn't, unless there's a lot of inflammation in the abdomen as a result of disease. With your excellent results, my guess is the discomfort is bowel related or gall bladder, but you'd know if it was an unhappy gall bladder! You tend to know when that becomes a problem, an abdominal ultrasound can rule out stones, if it becomes more of a problem for you. I also have this discomfort, frequently. I had my GB removed, so I know mine is bowel (gas) related. I hope you're able to get some relief, that's not comfortable when it kicks up.

Thanks for the update!

Midnight · Member

Hi all,

I posted the below post last year and just had another fibroscan today.

Incredibly today's score was 5.7!

I also recently had bloods completed and my ATL has dropped from an EOT 25 to 17.

My platelets which were always low are now normal!

All other markers were normal as well. My scan didn't raise any concerns and was consistent with my earlier diagnosis of some fibrosis and mild cirrhosis. I still have the occasional ache in my liver but I suspect this may be psychosomatic as its all good .

I simply cannot get over what an improvement my liver has made.

Very happy!

Midnight wrote:

Hi all,

I wonder if anyone can comment on this.

I received a fibroscan score of 14.2 back in 2015 prior to SVR.

I then had a further scan with a score of 9.2 in 2017 post SVR

Today I had another scan with a score of 11.2.

What gives is this normal?

I haven't had any further bloods since 18mth SVR

Tony

Canuck · Guru

Hi again Midnight,

I remember you! (now), it took a minute.

We spoke before (on fibroscans, and other things).

How are you doing/feeling now BTW?

My opinion, for whatever that's worth, on the fibroscan score(s) ... is that your fibroscans are probably near enough to be correct in their "downward" indications - fibroscans, as Tig puts it, can be considered "ballpark", as fibroscans are just "tools". Another way to measure something that is just downright pretty difficult to measure perfectly.

I would be (and would have been) happier, if you had had a lot more fibroscans (and labs) done all along, period, like more than one pre-treatment fibroscan, and then a fibroscan every 6 months post, and as Tig mentioned, abdominal U/S's and other imaging done maybe up to as often as every 6 months as well, which can be justified just because of your hx of a previous F4 at 14.2 kPa's, and, it would just be good following.

The more tests (like fibroscans) are repeated and keep showing up similar things, then the better I think they may show a truer direction.

I bet you were 14.2 kPa's (prior) or close to it or at least "up there", and after cure i bet you did decrease this amount of liver firmness (down to the 9 to 11 range). I am thinking various parts of our livers may NOT be identical and uniformly hard over every square inch on any given day, thus why they take aprox 10 different readings (or more) during a fibroscan until they and the machine are satisfied that each of the ten reading are accurate "enough" to be used in calculating an "averaged" reading - they pick up different readings and they average these results into one reading/one number. I have been told (on some of my fibroscans) what some of my differing "multiple" readings were within that session - they were in a "range" from around 14 down to 7.8 (all at the same session) - the average result gave me my first post-treatment kPa drop of 11.2 as my first drop, from the prior pre-treatment kPa of 12.6.

I can only conclude (by your limited repeated fibroscans) that you have (generally) decreased your kPa's, substantially, and perhaps some parts of your liver do measure up to around 11, and maybe some parts of it are around 9, and maybe some of it is likely even less than 9 or 11! Law of averages!

If it does not cost you, have more testing (of everything) including U/S's and imagings, ask for AFP's to be done with your labs, try to get more regular and frequent fibroscans done.

I have had quite a few fibroscans (post) done as I'm in a further study, I got one done not long ago that was so low i did not believe it, then the next one done after that was higher, which I did believe much more - neither numbers really mattered because they were both so INCREDIBLY low they had to be a correct and outstanding indication of my decreased stiffness - I am in the boringly normal liver stiffness category fer sure.

I hope your kPa's just keep decreasing for you too. : ) C.

Tig · Admin

Hi MN,

Fibroscan has been known in some circles as a ballpark figure. There are several variables that can change the results, not just the actual fibrosis. The newest probes and machines are providing more improved results however.

Fibroscan is actually an average of several pulses of energy. The differences lie in equipment used, technologist, BMI, fatty liver, angle and technique. It does look like your scores are relatively close though. The score you listed of 14, along with the evidence of splenomegaly (enlarged spleen) tends to support the higher score, indicating the likelihood of cirrhosis/portal HTN. I’m not a doctor, so yours will have to discuss that with you and come to an accurate diagnosis. I would want a current Fibroscan, perhaps an MRI to get a better picture. I would recommend a full abdominal ultrasound as well. That can be very helpful in determining the health of all your innards. With advanced fibrosis, that‘s recommended on a 6-12 month schedule anyway.

Midnight · Member