Have any liver transplant patients have a fibroscan?

*had a fibroscan.

Hello Kate,
I had a fibroscan to determine if my liver was cirrhotic. Unfortunately, it was after many years of Hep c viral infection. Here is a good source for more information.
https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/understanding-your-fibroscan-results

Good morning Kate. I had fibroscans prior to my transplant, and again at my 1 & 2 year check-ups. It’s a non-invasive procedure - somewhat similar to an ultrasound and only took - probably less than 10 minutes. It’s designed to determine the stiffness of the liver - often caused by fatty liver disease, which can be a precursor to cirrhosis. At my 1 year check-up, I was stunned when they told me the results showed that I had fatty liver disease. My diet had been quite healthy, so it came as a surprise. I was advised to exercise regularly, watch my diet and keep my weight down. At my 2 year check-up, the fibroscan was repeated, and surprisingly the results showed that the fatty liver disease was gone. My team was thrilled - as was I. I attribute this primarily to a daily exercise routine that I began, and have followed consistently since my 1 year checkup. Most everyday, I ride my peloton for 20 or 30 minutes each morning, which increases my heart rate and blood flow. I break a sweat, and describe it as “boiling my blood”. I truly believe that this routine has helped my liver function, as well as helped me recover some of my strength and stamina - so much of which was lost during the course of my 2 year wait time for transplant. Just FYI, I was originally treated at MGH but ultimately ended up having my transplant & continuing care at Mayo Jacksonville. My fibroscans were covered by insurance. As a liver TX patient, I would think that a test that your team thinks is necessary would be covered, but it’s probably a good idea to try to confirm that.

@gerryp thank you so much for your informative and kind reply. I didn’t realize how anxious I was feeling until reading this- it helped me to settle myself down. I have asked if I can have this done in the spring when I travel to Boston for my next check up. My primary provider, one of my surgeons, has relocated so I have a new provider, increasing my uncertainty. But Mass Gen had been good to me. Again, I appreciate your perspective.

Yes, the procedure is painless and only takes a few minutes. MGH was also very good to me and ultimately were the ones who advised me to come to Mayo. Wishing you good luck.

Yes, I had one done as part of a clinical trial I enrolled in after being told I had mild fatty liver activity by my GI doctor and being too stubborn to accept that there was really nothing I could change to improve it. I had no obvious risk factors. Thank goodness I did because it was super easy and detected that I was much further along than my doctor thought. Fast forward to a liver biopsy, going to Mayo Phoenix and my eventual listing for TPX. Good luck!

Hi and welcome to Connect, @toucanmom. I am glad that you have joined Connect and have shared your experience. That is what Connect is all about! We are a safe place to share our experiences to support and help others on a similar health journey.
I commend you for advocating for yourself. This is an example of when stubornnesss really pays off. If you are comfortable I am curious as to how your GI reacted to your persistence and how eventually were referred for a liver transplan evaluation(?)