What Is FibroScan® used for and How Is It Performed?
7/6/2023
In years past, the best way to uncover the state of your liver was through a biopsy. As a result of recent advances in tech, gastroenterologists can begin to test the condition of your liver thanks to the simple, nonsurgical ultrasound procedure known as FibroScan. At GI Alliance of Arkansas, our GI specialists perform this rapid and effective examination to check your liver health and help you defend your general wellness. For detailed info about FibroScan testing and how it can help evaluate your overall liver health, get in touch with one of our many Northwest Arkansas locations.
What is the FibroScan test?
FibroScan is a liver elastography that uses ultrasound technology to determine damage to our patients' livers. This simple exam can detect liver scarring and stiffness. Liver scarring, also called liver fibrosis, comes from excessive alcohol consumption, a high-fat diet, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other factors. Liver scarring may result in cirrhosis or extreme scarring and damage to the liver. Late stages of cirrhosis may lead to tiredness, weight loss, yellowing of the skin and eyes (known as jaundice), cancer, and liver failure.
While a biopsy of the liver would require some sort of sedative, an invasive procedure, and hours of your time and attention, the FibroScan test will typically be concluded in the vicinity of ten minutes. FibroScan causes little to no pain or discomfort, and you will be able to get right back to your standard schedule once released.
Why is FibroScan invaluable?
Since there are several complications linked to damage to the liver, it is vital to take your liver health seriously. This is where FibroScan is able to help. After completion of the FibroScan, our Northwest Arkansas GI specialists will utilize this information to identify and keep track of liver issues, like:
- Hepatitis B or C
- Diseases related to alcohol consumption
- NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis)
- NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease)
Additionally, we will appraise the degree to which any liver damage has escalated. Keeping track of this helps us produce a treatment regimen to meet your needs.
How long can it take to get FibroScan results?
Another benefit of the FibroScan test is the findings are often available within 1 –2 days. Liver biopsy results may take up to two weeks, however. With the FibroScan, you can be given your results rapidly, which could allow you to start your treatment quickly.
Once your results are ready, our team of gastroenterologists will reach out via phone or schedule an appointment in person to review the results. We will help you make sense of the results and what they mean for the health of your liver and your general health.
Will I be able to address suboptimal FibroScan results?
If the test results show damage in your liver, there are certain choices you can make to either reverse the liver damage or prevent further damage from occurring. A few steps you can take to promote your liver health are:
- Work out every day
- Cut out alcohol consumption
- Work with your doctors to swap your medications as necessary
- Lose weight if needed
- Change to a diet that is low-fat and high-fiber
Request your FibroScan in Northwest Arkansas
One of the best ways to prevent medical issues is to take control of your health in general. With the easy, virtually painless FibroScan exam, you can more easily become informed regarding your liver health and make needed changes prior to any more damage taking place. At GI Alliance of Arkansas, our team of GI providers utilizes this cutting-edge liver biopsy alternative. Get in touch with us at a Northwest Arkansas location near you to learn how FibroScan works.