FibroScan has revolutionized liver health assessment, offering a non-invasive, quick, and reliable method to gauge the extent of your fatty liver by understanding your liver stiffness and fat content. This guide aims to demystify FibroScan Results for Fatty Liver, explaining its significance, the procedure, and how to interpret the results, and providing insights into the reversibility and management of fatty liver disease. You can read this article or jump straight to the Fibroscan FAQs.
Watch: How To Cure Fatty Liver In 10 Steps
What is FibroScan For Fatty Liver?
FibroScan, or transient elastography, is a medical device used to measure the stiffness of your liver, which can indicate the presence of fibrosis (scarring) and steatosis (fat accumulation). It’s a crucial tool in diagnosing liver diseases like hepatitis C and fatty liver disease.
Read Also: Is Honey Good For Fatty Liver (NAFLD)?
The FibroScan Procedure:
- Preparation: Fasting for a few hours before the test is often recommended.
- During the Test: You’ll lie on your back, and a probe will be placed on your skin over the liver. The device emits a pulse of energy.
- Duration: The procedure typically takes about 10-15 minutes.
Fasting a few hours before fibroscan is highly recommended. Many patients make the mistake of eating before a fibroscan and skewing their scores as a result.
Understanding Your FibroScan Results:
Fibroscan report often consists of two different scores: an LSM Score and a CAP score. A medical professional looks at both the scores to understand the gravity of your fatty liver situation.
Read Also: What is the best cereal for Fatty Liver?
Fibroscan Scores
Fibroscan results are made up of two different scores: LSM score measures liver fibrossis (or scarring) and CAP score measures fat content in the liver cells.
Liver Stiffness Measurement (LSM) Score
Expressed in kilopascals (kPa), LSM indicates the degree of fibrosis in your liver. Liver fibrosis is the progressive scarring of your liver. This scarring can impair liver function and, if unchecked, may lead to cirrhosis, a more severe and often irreversible stage of liver damage. (These ranges and their interpretation slightly differ from medical practitioner to practitioner)
- Normal Range: Below 6 kPa.
- Mild Fibrosis (F1): 6-9 kPa.
- Moderate Fibrosis (F2): 9-12 kPa.
- Severe Fibrosis (F3): 12-14 kPa.
- Cirrhosis (F4): Above 14 kPa.
Controlled Attenuation Parameter (CAP) Score
This measures the level of fat in your liver, expressed in dB/m. This fat buildup in the liver can impair liver function and increase the risk of liver fibrosis and liver failure if not addressed. A higher amount of liver fat is commonly also termed steatosis.
- Normal Range: Below 238 dB/m.
- Mild Steatosis: 238-260 dB/m.
- Moderate Steatosis: 260-290 dB/m.
- Severe Steatosis: Above 290 dB/m.
Read Also: What Salts Substitutes Can I Use For Fatty Liver Diet?
Reversibility and Management of Fatty Liver Disease Based On Fibroscan Results
- Early Stages (Mild Steatosis): In the early stages, indicated by lower CAP scores, fatty liver is often reversible with lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, and weight loss. Many of our clients have seen significant improvement within the 6-month to 12-month timeframe.
- Moderate Steatosis including early NASH: This stage still offers a window for reversibility, but it requires more intensive lifestyle modifications and possibly medical intervention. The changes are often slow, however with strict diet and weight management many of our clients have seen positive results.
- Advanced Stages (Severe Steatosis and Fibrosis): Once the liver reaches a stage of significant fibrosis or cirrhosis, the condition becomes less reversible. However, it is important to note that, progression can be slowed, and symptoms managed with appropriate medical care and lifestyle adjustments.
Once liver reaches cirrhosis, the condition is irreversible, however it is important to understand that progression can be slowed significantly and symptoms manaed with appropriate medical care and lifestyle changes.
The Relationship Between Fibroscan LSM and CAP Scores
- LSM and CAP: LSM focuses on liver stiffness (fibrosis), while CAP measures liver fat content (steatosis). Both are critical in assessing overall liver health.
- Interdependent Indicators: High LSM and CAP scores often coexist in conditions like non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), where both fibrosis and steatosis are present. This is a warning stage and without an immediate and disciplined approach to diet and lifestyle, the disease progression can be very quick resulting in cirrhosis.
- Complementary Information: Together, LSM and CAP provide a comprehensive picture of liver health, aiding in accurate diagnosis and management. Your medical professional usually looks at both the scores including your history before providing you next steps.
Read Also: Why You Must Add Cruciferous Vegetables To Your Diet
Factors Affecting FibroScan Results For Fatty Liver
- Body Mass Index (BMI): Higher BMI can affect accuracy.
- Inflammation: Acute liver inflammation can temporarily increase stiffness.
- Other Factors: Hydration levels, recent food intake, and technician experience.
Interpreting the Fibroscan Scores:
- Is Cheese Bad for Fatty Liver?
- How to Stop Nighttime Snack Cravings & Support Your Fatty Liver Diet Journey
- The 10 Liver Poisons & Their Healthier Alternatives For Fatty Liver
- Mild to Moderate Fibrosis: Slightly elevated LSM readings may indicate early stages of liver fibrosis.
- Advanced Fibrosis or Cirrhosis: Significantly high LSM readings are concerning.
- Steatosis: Elevated CAP scores indicate the presence of fat in the liver.
Next Steps After Your FibroScan Test:
- Consultation: Discuss your results with your healthcare provider.
- Further Testing: Additional tests may be recommended.
- Lifestyle Changes: Crucial in cases of steatosis or early fibrosis.
Fatty Liver Fibroscan Frequently Asked Questions:
FibroScan also called transient elastography, is a medical device used to measure the stiffness of your liver, which can indicate the presence of fibrosis (inflammation or scarring) and steatosis (fat content) in the liver. It’s a crucial tool in diagnosing liver diseases like hepatitis C and fatty liver disease.
– Basic Prep: Fasting a few hours before the test is often recommended. Please note if you do not fast, your readings could be severely off.
– During the Test: You’ll lie on your back, and a probe will be placed on your skin over the liver. The device emits a pulse of energy and the readings are based on transient elastography.
– Duration: If all goes well, the procedure typically takes about 10-15 minutes.
LSM Score stands for Liver Stiffness Measurement Score. As the name indicates, LSC Score gives an idea about the degree of inflammation or scarring, or fibrosis in your liver. LSM score is expressed in kilopascals (kPa). Liver fibrosis, if unchecked, may lead to cirrhosis, which is an irreversible stage of liver damage. The following LSM are possible score ranges:
– Normal Range: Below 6 kPa.
– Mild Fibrosis (F1): 6-9 kPa.
– Moderate Fibrosis (F2): 9-12 kPa.
– Severe Fibrosis (F3): 12-14 kPa.
– Cirrhosis (F4): Above 14 kPa.
CAP Score stands for Controlled Attenuation Parameter. CAP score measures the level of fat in your liver, expressed in dB/m. As you know, fat buildup in the liver impairs liver function and increases the risk of liver fibrosis if not addressed. A higher amount of liver fat is commonly also termed steatosis.
– Normal Range: Below 238 dB/m.
– Mild Steatosis: 238-260 dB/m.
– Moderate Steatosis: 260-290 dB/m.
– Severe Steatosis: Above 290 dB/m.
– Early Stages (Mild): In the early stages, indicated by lower CAP & LSM scores, fatty liver is often reversible with lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, and weight loss. Many of our clients have seen significant improvement within the 6-month to 12-month timeframe.
– Moderate Steatosis including early NASH: This stage still offers a window for reversibility, but it requires more intensive lifestyle modifications and possibly medical intervention. The changes are often slow, however with strict diet and weight management many of our clients have seen positive results.
– Advanced Stages (Severe Steatosis and Fibrosis): Once the liver reaches a stage of significant fibrosis or cirrhosis, the condition becomes less reversible. However, it is important to note that, progression can be slowed, and symptoms managed with appropriate medical care and lifestyle adjustments. The newly FDA approved Rezdiffra is a potential course of treatment that your doctor can prescribe: (Rezdiffra FAQs)
Conclusion
FibroScan is a valuable tool in liver health assessment. Understanding your results is essential for managing your liver condition and making informed health decisions. Recognizing the stages of fatty liver disease and their reversibility or manageability is key to effective treatment and lifestyle choices.