Leaflet Details
| Title | Having a FibroScan |
| Department | Endoscopy and Gastroenterology |
| Author(s) | Dr Debabrata Majumdar |
| Review Date | August 2026 |
| Next Review | August 2028 |
| Download | A4 Handout PDF |
| Accessibility Options | Click on the Recite Me button to show our accessibility resources |
Patient Information
What is a fibroscan?
A fibroscan is a scan of your liver which measures how elastic (or how stiff) your liver is. It is a painless procedure which involves a probe being passed over the top right area of your abdomen. It is similar to an ultrasound scan during pregnancy.
A healthy liver should be soft and elastic. The more stiff your liver is the more damage has been done to it.
What are the benefits of having a fibroscan?
The benefit of having a fibroscan is that it measures how elastic your liver is. This can help your doctor to diagnose how damaged your liver is and decide what treatment you might need. It is helpful for diagnosing the degree of liver damage in people with:
- Viral hepatitis B and C
- Alcoholic liver disease
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- Hepatitis C and HIV co-infection
- Haemochromatosis
- Other liver diseases
A Fibroscan is a quick, painless test that gives immediate results.
What are the risks of having a fibroscan?
There are no risks to having a fibroscan, it is not invasive and you should not experience any pain. It does not have any potential complications or risks and is non-invasive, which means that it does not break the skin or enter your body.
What are the risks of not having a fibroscan?
If you do not have the fibroscan it will be more difficult for your doctor to accurately diagnose the condition of your liver which means they may not be able to decide the best treatment for you. This could mean that eventually your liver will become seriously damaged.
Are there any alternatives to this test?
An alternative to having a fibroscan is to have a liver biopsy, however this is an invasive procedure which involves a needle being inserted into your liver to remove a very small piece of it. A liver biopsy carries risks such as bleeding. You would also need to stay in hospital for several hours after the procedure.
Who should not have this test?
This procedure is very safe. You can have a fibroscan if you are pregnant or have an implantable device, such as a pacemaker or defibrillator. Please speak to your doctor or nurse if you have any concerns about your suitability for this procedure.
Preparing for a fibroscan
Please do not eat or drink anything for three hours before your fibroscan. If you need to, you can take small sips of water or clear fluid but avoid drinking large amounts of fluid. You should continue taking any prescribed medication.
You will not need to remove any clothing for the scan, but we will need to expose the right side of your abdomen (tummy). Therefore, we recommend that women do not wear a dress on the day of their test. You will not need to remove any jewellery near the site of the scan, such as a belly button piercing.
What happens before the Fibroscan?
You will need to book in with the receptionist and then take a seat in the waiting area. A nurse will call you into one of the consulting rooms, where you will be able to ask any questions you have about the fibroscan. Once you have discussed the scan, providing you are happy to go ahead, you will have the test.
Having the fibroscan
You will be asked to lie on an examination couch and place your right arm above your head.
The nurse will feel your abdomen to find the right place to perform the scan. He/she will place a probe on your abdomen and trigger the probe to start. The sound waves will be sent out from the probe in pulses. They will pass through your skin to your liver. This will feel like a gentle flick against the side of your skin – it should not hurt.
The scanner measures the time it takes for the sound wave to bounce back. We will repeat this at least 15 times or more if needed, to make sure we get an accurate result. The mean (average) reading is then calculated by the scanner, which will show your doctor your liver stiffness.
How long does it take to do the fibroscan?
The scan should take between 10 to 45 minutes to perform.
After having a fibroscan
As soon as the fibroscan is finished you will be able to either go home or return to work.
When will I get the result?
The result will be sent to the doctor who referred you for the fibroscan and he/she will discuss it with you at your next outpatient appointment.
Contact details
If you have any questions or concerns about having a fibroscan, you can contact:
Endoscopy Booking Office:
01932 72 2037
Further information
For more information about liver tests and liver problems:
British Liver Trust
https://liveruk.org
0800 652 7330
