Private Liver Elastography (FibroScan)

Liver elastography, better known as FibroScan, is a quick, non-invasive ultrasound-based test that measures two things at once: how stiff your liver is (a marker of fibrosis, or scarring) and how much fat it contains (steatosis). It only takes a few minutes, uses no needles or radiation, and gives you a number you and your specialist can track over time.

Stiffness is reported in kilopascals (kPa) using transient elastography, while fatty change is measured by the Controlled Attenuation Parameter (CAP). Together they build a clear picture of liver health without the discomfort or recovery of a liver biopsy.

A FibroScan is recommended whenever there is a reason to assess the liver without resorting to biopsy. You might be referred or choose to book if you have:

• Suspected or known fatty liver disease (NAFLD / NASH).
• Raised liver enzymes or abnormal liver function tests (LFTs).
• A history of higher alcohol intake and a need to assess alcohol-related liver disease.
• Chronic hepatitis B or C requiring fibrosis assessment.
• An ultrasound that reported a “bright” or fatty liver and you want it staged.
• Type 2 diabetes, obesity or metabolic syndrome, which raise the risk of liver scarring.
• Known liver disease that needs regular monitoring over time.

If any of these apply, a FibroScan is the quickest, gentlest way to find out how your liver is doing and what, if anything, needs to change.

FibroScan uses a technique called transient elastography. A small probe rests on the skin over your liver, between the ribs on the right side. It sends a gentle vibration (a painless “tap”) into the liver and measures how fast that vibration travels through the tissue.

Scarred, stiffer liver tissue carries the wave faster, so the speed is converted into a stiffness reading in kilopascals (kPa). At the same time, the probe measures how the ultrasound signal fades, which gives the Controlled Attenuation Parameter (CAP) a number that reflects how much fat is in the liver.

Because the test relies only on sound waves and vibration, it is completely safe and you feel little more than a light flick against your skin.

A FibroScan is one of the simplest tests we offer. The whole appointment usually takes around 15 minutes and is carried out by a Specialist Senior Sonographer. Here is how it unfolds:

• You lie on your back and raise your right arm above your head to open the spaces between your ribs.
• A small amount of clear gel is applied to the skin over the right side of your ribcage.
• The probe is placed on the skin and takes a series of painless measurements, you may feel a gentle tapping or vibration.
• The device records around ten valid readings, then averages them for an accurate result.

There are no needles, no injections and no recovery time. Your sonographer will talk you through the readings as they appear on the screen, so you finish the appointment already understanding your result.

Preparation for a FibroScan is straightforward but important for an accurate result. The main requirement is to fast for around 2 to 3 hours before your appointment, no food and only small sips of water if needed. Eating shortly before the test increases blood flow to the liver and can falsely raise the stiffness reading.

Please wear loose, comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the right side of your ribcage, and continue taking any regular medication as normal unless your doctor has advised otherwise.

If you are unsure whether to fast, for example if you have diabetes, contact our team before your appointment and we will tailor the advice to you.

Yes, a FibroScan is extremely safe and completely pain-free. It uses only low-frequency sound waves and a gentle mechanical vibration, with no radiation, no needles and no contrast injection. There are no known side effects, and you can return to your normal day-to-day activities, including driving, work and exercise, immediately afterwards.

Because nothing enters the body, there is no risk of bleeding or infection, which is one of the key advantages of FibroScan over a traditional liver biopsy. The test can be repeated as often as needed to monitor your liver over time.

You shouldn’t have to wait around for important answers about your health. That’s why, at Harley Street Ultrasound, we are dedicated to fast, same-day results.

Your Specialist Senior Sonographer will share your key readings, your kPa stiffness score and your CAP fatty-change score, in real time during the appointment, so you leave with a clear understanding of what was found. Your Full Medical Report with Tailored Advice and any recommended next steps will be ready the same day, along with your digital results.

You can view and share your report securely from any internet-connected device, including your smartphone, and forward it directly to your GP, hepatologist or gastroenterologist.

Your report gives two main numbers. The liver stiffness measurement (kPa) reflects fibrosis, and the CAP score (dB/m) reflects how much fat is in the liver.

Stiffness is mapped onto a fibrosis stage from F0 to F4:

• F0–F1: no or mild scarring; a normal or near-normal liver.
• F2: moderate fibrosis (significant scarring beginning).
• F3: advanced fibrosis (severe scarring).
• F4: cirrhosis (extensive scarring).

The CAP score grades fatty change from none through to severe steatosis. Exact thresholds vary by cause of liver disease, which is why your specialist interprets both numbers together with your history to explain precisely what they mean for you.

FibroScan is a non-invasive alternative to liver biopsy. A biopsy means taking a tissue sample with a needle, it carries a small risk of bleeding and pain and usually needs recovery time. FibroScan assesses a far larger volume of liver in minutes, with no needle, no anaesthetic and no recovery, which is why it is now the first-line test for staging fibrosis and fatty change.

Compared with MRI-based elastography (MRE), FibroScan is quicker, much more widely available and considerably less expensive, making it ideal for both initial assessment and repeat monitoring. MRI may still be used in selected cases, for example where body shape limits the FibroScan signal, but for most patients FibroScan gives the answers needed without a scanner appointment.

Yes, in its early stages, fatty liver disease is often reversible. Because the most common type (NAFLD) is driven by diet, weight and metabolic health, sustained changes can reduce or even clear the fat in the liver and, in many cases, halt or reverse early scarring.

The most effective steps are gradual weight loss, a balanced diet lower in refined sugar and processed food, regular physical activity, reducing or stopping alcohol, and managing related conditions such as type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol. Advanced scarring (F4 / cirrhosis) is harder to reverse, which is exactly why early detection matters.

A FibroScan gives you a clear baseline and lets you and your specialist track whether your changes are working, turning vague advice into measurable progress.

A private liver elastography (FibroScan) at Harley Street Ultrasound is £300, all fees inclusive. There are no extra charges for the consultation, the scan itself, the time you spend with your Specialist Senior Sonographer, your full medical report or your digital results.

What’s included in the price:

• One-to-one appointment with a Specialist Senior Sonographer
• FibroScan liver stiffness (kPa) and fatty-change (CAP) measurement
• Detailed written medical report with tailored advice
• Same-day digital results delivered to your secure portal
• No referral required and no waiting list, most patients are seen within 24 to 48 hours

We accept self-pay and most major UK private health insurers. If you have insurance, please contact your provider before booking to confirm your policy covers a private FibroScan at Harley Street Ultrasound, our team is happy to provide any clinical or pricing details they need.

Many of our patients worry that coming to us privately will somehow affect their NHS care. That simply is not the case.

Our goal is to give you answers as quickly as possible and get you on the right treatment path fast, no strings attached. When you come to us, you are seen by a qualified Specialist who can assess your liver the same day. If your situation needs urgent attention, our Specialist will write to your NHS GP advising them that you need an urgent appointment, and your report can be shared securely with any NHS team.

We don’t want you to wait weeks for answers, every minute counts when it comes to your health and your peace of mind.