FibroScan showed possible cirrhosis but my labs have always been normal - can results be wrong?
I’m 41 years old, 6’5”, and weighed 535 lbs when all of this testing was done.
I’m wondering if anyone has been diagnosed with cirrhosis or advanced fibrosis and later found out it wasn’t as bad as originally thought.
Here’s my story:
Back in 2020, I started having a dull ache in my upper right abdomen. My primary care doctor ran blood work, and everything came back normal. An ultrasound showed fatty liver. They ordered a HIDA scan, which showed my gallbladder was only functioning at 4%, and I was told I needed it removed. Unfortunately, this was during COVID when elective surgeries were postponed, and I never had it taken out.
I should also mention that for years I was a heavy drinker about three times a week, so I know alcohol may have contributed in addition to my weight and fatty liver.
Over the years, doctors basically dismissed the fatty liver diagnosis because my labs were always “great,” and I was told not to worry about it.
Fast forward to recently: the pain in my right side gradually got worse, so my primary doctor referred me to a gastroenterologist.
The part that’s confusing me is that my liver blood work has always been normal. My ALT, AST, bilirubin, albumin, INR, BUN, and platelets have consistently been within normal ranges. The only abnormal liver enzyme I’ve ever had was in 2014 when my ALT was 81 and AST was 22.
Recent testing showed:
Ultrasound: liver span 25.0 cm, increased parenchymal echogenicity, nodular liver margin, portal vein diameter 1.7 cm with normal flow.
FibroScan: CAP 359 and liver stiffness 26.9 kPa.
The gastroenterologist told me I have “early-stage cirrhosis, late fibrosis” (those were her exact words). I don’t have any symptoms of liver failure, and I go in July for an endoscopy.
One thing I’m also wondering about is whether my FibroScan could have been affected because I drank pretty heavily for the two days leading up to the test. My liver was also enlarged/inflamed at the time. I’ve read that inflammation can sometimes increase liver stiffness measurements.
Has anyone here had a FibroScan overestimate fibrosis or been diagnosed with cirrhosis and later found out it was less advanced after further testing (MRI, biopsy, repeat FibroScan, etc.)?
I’m not looking for false hope I know my obesity, fatty liver, and alcohol use all increase my risk. I’m just trying to understand whether misdiagnoses or overstaging happen before I assume the worst.
Thanks for reading, and I’d appreciate hearing about your experiences
I’m currently 35 days sober.