On this page
- What is FibroScan?
- Who needs it?
- Conditions it helps assess
- When to see a doctor
- How the test is done
- Understanding results
- What happens next
- Before, during, after
- FibroScan compared with other liver tests
- How often should FibroScan be repeated?
- Tips for an accurate reading
- Why Samrijo
- Cost
- बुराड़ी में लिवर FibroScan जाँच
- FAQs
What is FibroScan?
FibroScan® is the brand name of a device that performs transient elastography. A probe placed on the skin sends a gentle, low-frequency pulse into the liver and measures how fast it travels. The stiffer the liver, the faster the wave moves. Liver stiffness rises as scar tissue (fibrosis) builds up.
The same scan also gives a CAP score (Controlled Attenuation Parameter), which estimates the amount of fat in the liver.
Before such tests existed, the only way to measure scarring accurately was a liver biopsy, a needle test with some risk and discomfort. FibroScan is now widely used as a first step, and many people never need a biopsy.
Who may need a FibroScan?
- People with fatty liver on ultrasound, especially with diabetes, obesity or raised liver enzymes
- People with hepatitis B or C, to check scarring and guide treatment
- Regular alcohol drinkers
- People with abnormal liver function tests without a clear cause
- People with known liver disease, to follow progress over time
Your doctor may first calculate a simple blood-test score (such as FIB-4) to decide whether you need a FibroScan.
People with type 2 diabetes deserve special mention. They are more likely to have fatty liver that progresses to scarring, often without any symptoms and sometimes with normal liver tests. Many liver specialists now suggest that people with diabetes and fatty liver have their scarring risk checked, and FibroScan is one of the simplest ways to do that.
Conditions it helps assess
- Fatty liver (MASLD/NAFLD and alcohol-related)
- Chronic hepatitis B and C
- Cirrhosis: to estimate its likelihood and help decide on screening for complications
- Some other chronic liver diseases, as advised by a specialist
When to see a doctor
A FibroScan is a planned test, but some liver symptoms need urgent attention. Seek care promptly if you have:
- Yellow eyes or skin (jaundice) or very dark urine
- A swollen belly or swollen legs
- Vomiting blood or black, tarry stools
- Confusion, excessive sleepiness
How the test is done at Samrijo
- You lie on your back with your right arm raised behind your head.
- A little gel is applied over the lower right ribs.
- The operator places the probe between the ribs and takes about ten readings. You feel a light tap each time.
- The machine calculates the median stiffness (kPa) and CAP (dB/m).
- The doctor explains the result alongside your blood tests and ultrasound.
Readings can be harder to obtain in people with a lot of belly fat; special probes help, and occasionally another test is suggested.
Understanding your results
There is no single "normal" cut-off for everyone. Thresholds differ between liver diseases. As a rough guide for fatty liver:
| Stiffness (kPa) | What it usually suggests |
|---|---|
| Lower values | Significant scarring is unlikely |
| Middle range | Some scarring possible; may need more tests or closer follow-up |
| Higher values | Advanced scarring or cirrhosis more likely; specialist follow-up needed |
Temporary factors, such as eating shortly before the test, active hepatitis, heart failure or a blocked bile duct, can raise stiffness readings. That's why results are always interpreted by a doctor, never on their own.
What happens next
- Low stiffness: focus on lifestyle change; repeat testing after a period your doctor advises.
- Intermediate stiffness: closer follow-up, more tests, and stronger focus on weight, sugar and alcohol.
- High stiffness: referral for specialist care, endoscopy to check for varices, and regular ultrasound screening for liver cancer.
Before, during and after the test
Before
Fast for about three hours. Wear loose clothes. Bring previous reports, especially ultrasound and liver function tests.
During
About 10–15 minutes lying down. No pain, no needles.
After
You can eat and return to normal activities straight away. The doctor explains your result and next steps.
FibroScan compared with other liver tests
| Test | What it shows | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Liver function tests (blood) | Liver inflammation and function | Can be normal even with significant scarring |
| Ultrasound | Fat, size, shape, gallbladder, lumps | Cannot measure scarring reliably |
| FibroScan | Stiffness (scarring) and fat, in numbers | Affected by recent meals, inflammation, heart failure |
| Liver biopsy | Detailed tissue diagnosis | Needle procedure with small risks; rarely needed first |
These tests work best together. For example, an ultrasound may show fatty liver, and a FibroScan then tells you how much it matters.
How often should FibroScan be repeated?
There is no single rule. People with low stiffness and fatty liver are often re-checked after a longer interval, while those with intermediate or high readings, hepatitis, or ongoing alcohol use may be re-tested more often. Repeating the scan helps show whether weight loss and treatment are working. It can be very motivating to see the numbers improve. Your doctor will suggest a schedule based on your results and risk factors.
Tips for an accurate reading
- Fast properly. A meal in the previous few hours can raise liver stiffness temporarily and make the result look worse than it is.
- Avoid alcohol for a few days before, if possible. Recent heavy drinking can raise readings.
- Mention recent illness. Acute hepatitis, a recent liver infection, heart failure or a blocked bile duct can all increase stiffness.
- Tell the operator if you are pregnant, or have a pacemaker or other implanted electronic device. The test may need to be adjusted or postponed.
- Lie still and breathe normally during the readings. The operator may ask you to pause your breath for a moment.
If a reliable reading cannot be obtained, for example because of fluid in the belly (ascites) or a thick layer of fat, the doctor may suggest a different test.
Why choose Samrijo Hospital
- Close to home in Burari, for people in North Delhi who would otherwise travel far for a FibroScan.
- Linked tests: liver blood tests and ultrasound in the same building.
- Results explained in plain Hindi or English, with a practical plan.
Cost of FibroScan
Please call 93196 62944 for the current FibroScan price and any package with blood tests.
बुराड़ी में लिवर FibroScan जाँच
FibroScan एक आसान और बिना दर्द वाली जाँच है। इससे पता चलता है कि लिवर कितना सख़्त है (फ़ाइब्रोसिस या स्कारिंग) और उसमें कितनी चर्बी है। इसमें कोई सुई, इंजेक्शन या रेडिएशन नहीं होता, और जाँच में लगभग 10–15 मिनट लगते हैं। पसलियों के ऊपर हल्की थपकी जैसा महसूस होता है।
फैटी लिवर, डायबिटीज़, मोटापा, हेपेटाइटिस B या C, शराब का सेवन या लिवर एंज़ाइम बढ़े होने पर डॉक्टर FibroScan की सलाह दे सकते हैं। जाँच से करीब 3 घंटे पहले कुछ न खाएँ। रिपोर्ट को हमेशा डॉक्टर आपके ब्लड टेस्ट और अल्ट्रासाउंड के साथ मिलाकर समझाते हैं। Samrijo Hospital, बुराड़ी में जाँच और सलाह एक ही जगह मिल सकती है।
समय लेने के लिए कॉल करें: 93196 62944।
Frequently asked questions
Is FibroScan painful?
No. It feels like a gentle tap on the skin over the right side of your ribs. There are no needles, no injections and no radiation.
How long does a FibroScan take?
The scan itself usually takes about 10–15 minutes. Add some time for registration and reporting.
Do I need to fast before FibroScan?
Yes, usually for about three hours before the test, because eating can temporarily increase liver stiffness readings. Your usual medicines can generally be taken with a little water, unless told otherwise.
Can FibroScan replace a liver biopsy?
For many people with fatty liver or hepatitis, FibroScan gives enough information to guide care without a biopsy. A biopsy may still be needed if results are unclear or another liver disease is suspected.
What do the kPa and CAP numbers mean?
The kPa number is liver stiffness: higher values suggest more scarring. CAP (in dB/m) estimates the amount of fat. Your doctor interprets them together with your blood tests and history. The same number can mean different things in different liver diseases.
How much does a FibroScan test cost?
Please call 93196 62944 for the current price.
FibroScan जाँच क्या है?
FibroScan एक आसान, बिना दर्द वाली जाँच है जो बताती है कि लिवर कितना सख़्त (फ़ाइब्रोसिस) है और उसमें कितनी चर्बी है। इसमें सुई या रेडिएशन नहीं होता।
FibroScan से पहले क्या करना होता है?
आम तौर पर जाँच से लगभग 3 घंटे पहले कुछ न खाएँ। ढीले कपड़े पहनकर आएँ और अपनी पुरानी रिपोर्ट साथ लाएँ।
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This page is for general health information only. It is not a diagnosis or a substitute for a consultation. Every patient is different, so please consult a qualified doctor about your own condition and treatment. Medical disclaimer.