The liver is an organ that performs many functions including removing waste products, producing bile, storing energy and synthesizing proteins. Consequently, strong liver is essential to overall health.
Liver diseases occur from several reasons which some liver diseases often show no symptoms in the early stage such as
• Fatty liver

• Hepatitis B and C infection

• Alcoholic hepatitis

• Drug-induced hepatitis

Precise and detailed liver health assessment is therefore should not be overlooked since it can indicate whether our liver still functions well and the liver condition is within normal range or not.
How to examine the liver health
Liver health examination can be performed in many ways
• Blood test is the most popular initial liver health assessment. It helps individuals understand the condition of their liver, whether now there is an inflammation. However, it may not be detailed enough to detect early-stage liver disease, as there may be no indicators present in the blood results. Additionally, it cannot determine the extent of chronic liver disease, including the amount of liver fibrosis, or diagnose cirrhosis
• Liver biopsy is the detailed assessment of the liver that can determine the cause and the stage of liver diseases precisely. Nevertheless, due to the dangerous process and high risk of complications, it is not commonly used as an initial diagnostic method.
What is liver assessment called Fibroscan?
Currently, new technology known as FibroScan is available, which is a device used to examine the liver by measuring the reflection of low-frequency sound waves. The results are calculated into numerical values to assess liver stiffness and the amount of fat in the liver. This allows individuals to know the extent of fat accumulation in their liver, the amount of liver fibrosis, and whether they have cirrhosis, without the need for a liver biopsy. This reduces the risk of complications from the procedure.
Preparation before Fibroscan
Fibroscan can be performed safely without causing pain to the patient. The preparation is simple, requiring only fasting for 3-4 hours before the examination. The procedure takes only 10-15 minutes. The patient lies on their back, and the physician then uses a probe to touch the right rib area to measure the amount of fat and liver stiffness. The results are highly accurate, enabling the doctor to plan appropriate self-care or treatment for the patient.
Who should be tested with Fibroscan?
The following groups of people should consider undergoing a FibroScan
• Individuals at risk for liver disease, such as those who are overweight or have belly fat

• Individuals with chronic liver disease

• People who drink alcohol constantly

• Individuals taking medications that affect the liver

• People with chronic hepatitis virus infections

• Individuals with abnormal liver function detected through blood tests or ultrasound

• Individuals with other indications as determined by a physician
Limitation of Fibroscan
FibroScan has some limitations, such as:
• In very obese patients, the measurement can be difficult unless a special probe is used.

• Patients with ascites.

• Pregnant women.

• Individuals with certain medical devices, such as those with a pacemaker
Fibroscan test can help plan for liver care
Once the FibroScan results are released, doctors can plan for patient care more accurately such as recommending weight loss, exercise, and dietary control for patients found to have fatty liver. Furthermore, FibroScan can be used to monitor the patient's progress after they have made lifestyle changes for a period of time to see if the liver fat and liver stiffness values have decreased, and by how much.
FibroScan is a beneficial examination, especially for those at risk of chronic liver disease. It provides quick, accurate, and safe results with no pain. As a result, if you are at risk or stay away from the diseases, it is recommended to consult with a specialist for this examination. This will ensure appropriate and accurate care and treatment.