Liver Elastography (FibroScan): A Painless Test for Liver Fat and Scarring

Liver elastography, often called a FibroScan, is a quick, painless test that checks your liver for stiffness (scarring, or fibrosis) and fat. For many patients it replaces a liver biopsy. We perform it in our Temple City office.

Who needs liver elastography?

• Fatty liver disease (MASLD/MASH)
• Hepatitis B and hepatitis C
• Abnormal liver tests
• Heavy alcohol use
• Autoimmune and cholestatic liver diseases
• Following known scarring or cirrhosis over time

How to prepare

• 3 hours before: stop eating and drinking. Only a small sip of water to take your morning medicines.
• If you have diabetes, don't take diabetes pills until you eat after the test, and take half your usual morning insulin.
• Wear comfortable clothes, with a top you can lift to reach your right side.

Read the full liver elastography instructions (also in Español, Tiếng Việt, and 中文). All instruction sheets are on our Procedure Instructions page.

During the test

You lie on your back with your right arm raised. A small probe rests on the skin over your liver and sends a gentle pulse. You may feel a light tap or vibration. The test takes about 10 to 30 minutes, and you can ask for a chaperone at any time.

Results

• Liver stiffness (measured in kPa) estimates the amount of scarring
• Fat score (CAP) estimates how much fat is in the liver

Your gastroenterologist reviews the results with your blood tests and explains next steps, which may include treatment, follow-up testing, or liver cancer screening.

Make an appointment

Our gastroenterologists in Temple City care for patients from Arcadia, San Gabriel, Pasadena, Monrovia, Monterey Park, and across the San Gabriel Valley. We accept most PPO plans (see accepted insurances), and our doctors speak English, Vietnamese, and Mandarin. Schedule an appointment or call 626-898-4560.

This article is for general education and is not a substitute for medical advice. Talk with your doctor about your own health.