A FibroScan measures how stiff the liver is, which shows how much scarring (fibrosis) there is, without a needle. The same scan also estimates how much fat is in the liver (the CAP score). It is quick, painless and done in the clinic.
Who it helps
- Fatty liver: to find the minority of people who have significant scarring
- Hepatitis B and hepatitis C: to guide treatment and follow-up
- Abnormal liver tests, or alcohol-related liver disease
- Monitoring change over time, for example after weight loss or treatment
What happens
You lie on your back with your right arm raised. A probe is placed on the skin over the liver, and you feel a gentle tap with each measurement. It usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. You will usually be asked not to eat for about three hours beforehand, because a recent meal can raise the reading.
Understanding the result
- Liver stiffness is reported in kilopascals (kPa). Higher numbers mean more scarring, but the cut-offs differ between conditions, so the number is interpreted with your blood tests and history.
- CAP is reported in dB/m and reflects liver fat.
- Readings can be falsely high with active inflammation, a recent meal, or heart failure, and are harder to obtain in people with a lot of abdominal fat. A larger probe is used where needed.
A FibroScan does not replace an ultrasound scan, which shows the shape of the liver and can detect lumps. The two tests are complementary.
General information only. Reviewed by Dr Chia Chung King, 2026-11-07. Book a consultation.