A Closer Look at Your Liver Health
FibroScan® is a quick, non-invasive examination that provides information about liver stiffness and liver fat, helping your healthcare provider better assess your liver health.
Minutes
A FibroScan® examination can typically be completed in only a few minutes.
Covered With Referral
FibroScan® is covered by BC MSP when Unity Healthcare receives a referral from your physician.
Referral Needed to Book
You can still book without a physician referral. A private fee will apply.
Understand What May Be Happening Inside Your Liver
Liver disease can develop gradually and may not always cause obvious symptoms in its early stages.
FibroScan® uses specialized technology to provide quantitative measurements related to liver stiffness and liver fat.
These measurements can help your healthcare provider assess your liver as part of your overall medical evaluation and determine whether additional monitoring, testing or treatment may be appropriate.
What Does FibroScan® Measure?
FibroScan® provides two important measurements that help healthcare professionals assess liver health.
Liver Stiffness
Liver Stiffness Measurement using VCTE® provides information that can help your healthcare provider assess liver fibrosis, or scarring.
Liver Fat
CAP provides a quantitative measurement related to the amount of fat within the liver and can help assess hepatic steatosis, commonly referred to as fatty liver.
Why Check Your Liver?
Metabolic conditions can be associated with an increased likelihood of fat accumulating in the liver.
Assessing liver health can provide useful information for people who may be at increased risk and help guide appropriate follow-up with their healthcare provider.
Who May Benefit From a FibroScan®?
A FibroScan® assessment may be considered for people with known or suspected liver disease or certain metabolic risk factors.
Your healthcare provider can determine whether a FibroScan® assessment is appropriate for you.
- Type 2 diabetes
- Overweight or obesity
- Known or suspected fatty liver disease / MASLD
- Elevated liver enzymes
- High cholesterol or triglycerides
- High blood pressure or metabolic syndrome
- Known or suspected chronic liver disease
- Patients with PCOS
What to Expect
A FibroScan® is straightforward, non-invasive and typically takes only a few minutes.
Get Comfortable
You will lie on your back on an examination bed with your right arm positioned above your head.
Position the Probe
A trained healthcare professional applies a small amount of gel and positions the FibroScan® probe against the skin over your liver.
Take the Measurements
The probe delivers gentle vibrations while measurements are taken. You may feel a slight vibration, but the examination should not be painful.
Complete the Scan
Multiple measurements are collected to provide information about liver stiffness and liver fat.
Receive Your Results
FibroScan® measurements are available immediately following the examination.
Review With Your Provider
Your results should be interpreted together with your medical history, laboratory results and other relevant clinical information.
See How FibroScan® Works
Learn more about FibroScan® technology and how a non-invasive liver assessment provides information about liver stiffness and liver fat.
This short video provides an overview of the technology and what makes FibroScan® different from traditional liver assessment methods.
Learn More Before Your FibroScan®
Watch this short video to learn more about FibroScan® and what patients can expect from a non-invasive liver assessment.
If you have questions before your appointment, the Unity Healthcare team can provide additional guidance.
Preparing for Your FibroScan®
A few simple steps can help ensure your examination is performed under appropriate conditions.
- Do not eat for at least 3 hours before your examination.
- Water may be consumed during the fasting period.
- Wear comfortable clothing that allows access to the right side of your rib cage.
- Follow any additional instructions provided by the Unity Healthcare team.
Is FibroScan® Covered by MSP?
You can access FibroScan® at Unity Healthcare either with a physician referral or as a privately paid appointment.
With a Physician Referral
If Unity Healthcare receives a referral from your doctor for a FibroScan® assessment, the service is covered by BC MSP for eligible patients.
Without a Referral
You can still book a FibroScan® assessment without a physician referral. A private fee will apply.
FibroScan® Compact 530
Unity Healthcare uses the FibroScan® Compact 530 by Echosens for non-invasive liver assessment.
The system uses Vibration-Controlled Transient Elastography (VCTE®) to measure liver stiffness and CAP to provide information about liver fat.
- Non-invasive examination
- Quantitative liver measurements
- Immediate measurement results
- Designed for point-of-care liver assessment
- Supports ongoing monitoring when clinically appropriate
Your Results Are Part of a Complete Liver Assessment
FibroScan® measurements should not be interpreted on their own. Your healthcare provider will consider the results together with your medical history, physical examination, laboratory testing and other relevant information.
Depending on your results and individual health history, additional investigation or follow-up may be recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is FibroScan® covered by MSP?
Yes. FibroScan® assessments at Unity Healthcare are covered by BC MSP for eligible patients when we receive a referral from their physician.
Do I need a doctor’s referral?
A physician referral is required for MSP coverage, but it is not required to book an appointment. You may book a FibroScan® without a physician referral; however, a private fee will apply.
What is a FibroScan®?
FibroScan® is a non-invasive examination used to measure liver stiffness and provide information about liver fat. These measurements can assist healthcare professionals in assessing liver health.
How long does a FibroScan® take?
A FibroScan® examination typically takes approximately 5 to 10 minutes, although appointment times may vary.
Is FibroScan® painful?
FibroScan® is non-invasive and should not be painful. You may feel a slight vibration from the probe while measurements are being taken.
Do I need to fast before my FibroScan®?
Yes. You should avoid eating for at least 3 hours before your examination. Water may be consumed during this period.
Do I need to remove my clothing?
You do not normally need to fully undress. Wear comfortable clothing that allows the healthcare professional to access the right side of your rib cage.
What does liver stiffness mean?
Liver stiffness measurements provide information that may help your healthcare provider assess liver fibrosis or scarring. The result must be interpreted in the context of your overall health.
What does CAP measure?
CAP provides a quantitative measurement related to liver fat and can assist healthcare professionals in assessing hepatic steatosis.
When will my results be available?
FibroScan® measurements are available immediately after the examination. Your healthcare provider can explain what your results mean in the context of your overall health.
Does FibroScan® diagnose liver disease?
FibroScan® provides measurements that assist with liver assessment. Results should be considered together with your medical history, laboratory tests and other clinical information rather than being interpreted independently.
How often should FibroScan® be repeated?
The appropriate interval depends on your medical history, results and treatment plan. Your healthcare provider can recommend whether and when repeat assessment is appropriate.
Take a Closer Look at Your Liver Health
FibroScan® is covered by BC MSP when Unity Healthcare receives a referral from your physician. No referral? You can still book an assessment privately for a fee.