What Is FibroScan® and How Does It Help?
7/6/2023
In years past, the best way to ascertain the health of your liver was by a surgical liver biopsy. Thanks to advances in the field, GI providers can test the state of your liver through this straightforward, nonsurgical ultrasound procedure called FibroScan. At Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates, our team of GI specialists can perform this rapid and useful test to assess your liver health, as well as help you defend your general health. If you want detailed info about FibroScan testing and how it can help establish the health of your liver, contact one of our many New Orleans, LA locations.
What is FibroScan?
FibroScan is a liver elastography procedure that depends on ultrasound technology to determine if there is any damage to the liver in your body. This simple test can establish if there’s scarring in the liver and liver stiffness. Liver scarring, also called liver fibrosis, begins due to excessive alcohol consumption, a high-fat diet, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and more. Fibrosis can cause cirrhosis (or excessive damage and scarring) to a person’s liver. Late stages of cirrhosis will often result in exhaustion, unintended weight loss, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), cancer, and, in the end, liver failure.
While a biopsy of the liver requires sedatives, a surgically invasive procedure, and hours of your time and energy, FibroScan can be finished within ten minutes. FibroScan generally causes basically no discomfort and pain, and often you will be able to get back to your standard schedule once finished.
Why is FibroScan important?
Due to the complications affiliated with damage to the liver, it is vital that you take your liver health seriously. This is where FibroScan is able to help. After finishing a FibroScan test, our New Orleans, LA GI doctors will utilize your results to establish and track liver issues, including:
- Diseases related to alcohol consumption
- Hepatitis B or C
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
- Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
Along with that, we will also evaluate how far your liver damage has developed. This helps us put together a treatment plan for you specifically.
How long will it take to get FibroScan test results?
Another benefit of the FibroScan is your results are often ready in a few days. The results of a liver biopsy can take around two weeks, however. Thanks to the FibroScan, you will be given your exam results sooner, which could allow you to start your treatment sooner.
After we review your results, our team of GI providers will get in touch and schedule a meeting to go over your FibroScan test results. Our providers can make sure you understand your exam results and what the findings mean for your liver health and your overall health.
Will I be able to address negative FibroScan results?
If the results imply damage in your liver, there are a variety of choices you can make to either reverse the liver damage or defend against the occurrence of further damage. Some simple steps you may want to take in order to boost your liver health include:
- Exercise daily
- Minimize alcohol consumption
- Lose weight if you are overweight
- Begin a high-fiber, low-fat diet
- Work with your team of doctors to swap medications as needed
Request your FibroScan in New Orleans, LA
A good way to stave off medical issues like this is by taking control of your overall health. By undergoing the quick, simple, virtually painless FibroScan test, you can learn about your liver health so you can make any changes before further damage takes place. At Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates, our GI specialists utilize this modern liver biopsy alternative. Request an appointment at a New Orleans, LA location in your area to learn more.