FibroScan™ liver health testing at Circle Priory Hospital in Birmingham

Circle Priory Hospital in Birmingham is the Midland's largest private hospital and offers clinics run by consultant hepatologists who can expertly assess and evaluate your liver health.

What is a FibroScan™ test?

Several of our consultants use FibroScan™ to assess liver problems, and we even have our own clinic for the test run by specialist nurses. FibroScan™ is a non-invasive test that assesses liver stiffness and fat content using transient elastography, which sends sound waves through your liver to measure its elasticity. It helps diagnose and monitor liver fibrosis (scarring) and fatty liver disease in conditions like NAFLD, hepatitis B or C, and cirrhosis. The test is fast and requires minimal preparation, making it a convenient alternative to a liver biopsy.

A GP or a Consultant at the Priory Hospital can directly refer you for a FibroScan™.

Patients with insurance may be able to have the FibroScan™ with their liver specialist at the time of their consultation, but we also offer the test to individuals without insurance.

You will need a referral to book a FibroScan™ and you can contact the Priory Hospital directly on 0121 440 2323 (option 1) to arrange an appointment.

Dr Andy Holt is a consultant transplant hepatologist based at the Liver Unit in Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham. His unit was one of the first in the UK to start using FibroScan™ technology.

"We've been using FibroScan™ at the Liver Transplant Unit for over 15 years and found it to be an indispensable tool in establishing the health of your liver. The scan can determine whether liver tissue is normal, if there is significant liver fat, scarring (fibrosis), or even cirrhosis. When used by specialists, the FibroScan™ can reduce the likelihood of needing a liver biopsy and provides an accurate assessment of the risk of fibrosis or cirrhosis in all forms of liver disease, including fatty liver disease (MASLD), diabetes, autoimmune hepatitis, PBC, PSC, hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection, alcohol damage and haemochromatosis." - Dr Holt

Over 90% of liver disease is preventable with the right treatment, but treatment is always most effective when liver problems are identified at an early stage. A FibroScan™ test allows your specialist to keep track of liver damage and start treatment and can guide you in making the changes to your lifestyle and diet that will prevent the damage from getting worse.

"The NHS and the National Institute of Clinical Excellence recommend that diabetics and individuals with a BMI >30 at increased risk of liver damage should have screening blood tests or a FibroScan™ to identify liver fibrosis and prioritise treatment." - Dr Holt

The government's guidance goes on to recommend that anyone who has drunk alcohol heavily for more than several months (e.g. men drinking > 50 units alcohol or ≥4 ½ bottles of wine a week or women drinking >35 units alcohol or ≥3 ½ bottles of wine or prosecco per week) should have a FibroScan™ to check their liver health. Patients infected with hepatitis B or C should also be scanned to look for evidence of liver fibrosis or cirrhosis.

Patients with evidence of fibrosis due to fatty liver disease or individuals concerned that they may have caused alcohol damage should repeat the FibroScan™ every 2 years to reassess their risk of cirrhosis. Your liver specialist can use blood tests to assess whether you need to have the FibroScan™.

"Dr Holt helped me to have a clear understanding of what going on with my health. He explained in a way that I could understand. An experienced doctor that I can recommend. Thank you Dr. Holt and team" - anonymous patient testimonial

It is difficult to get a specialist liver opinion in the UK as there are relatively few liver consultants, but Circle Priory Hospital is one of the few Private Hospitals in the UK able to offer consultations with a liver specialist.

Treatment at The Priory Hospital

Circle Priory Hospital is based in central Birmingham and offers excellent transport links by rail and road. It is a 30-minute taxi journey or a 20-minute train from Birmingham Airport which has international connections.

Liver problems picked up on an ultrasound scan or abnormal blood tests are always a cause for concern, but a consultation with one of our liver specialists will quickly put your mind at rest.

Please don't ignore liver problems as the earlier your condition is identified the better your response to treatment will be.

Book an appointment with one of our specialists today to arrange a FibroScan™: