A term for a health condition caused by an accumulate of fat in the body is nonalcoholic fat cell disease. It is often found in people who are overweight.

NAFLD is the most common liver disease worldwide, affecting 25% of the global population. The number of people with NAFLD is expected to increase because rates of overweight and obesity are increasing, including in children.

The condition can lead to liver scarring, also called liver fibrosis. If the fibrosis advances further, it can lead to liver cancer, cirrhosis, or liver failure.

Diagnostic tests may be used to determine how much scarring you have if your doctor suspects you have NAFLD. The blood tests used to calculate the fibrosis score may be included.

The NAFLD fibrosis score is calculated and used, and there are other things to know about it.

The risk and degree of fibrosis are predicted by the NAFLD score.

The score is based on a panel of tests that look for markers in your blood. Your score includes some factors.

  • Your blood sugar.
  • albumin
  • The count of platelets.
  • age
  • The height-to-weight ratio is the body mass index.
  • The status of diabetes.

The test measures the ratios of two liver enzymes.

Your doctor may recommend getting a fibrosis score as a way to rule out advanced liver fibrosis, without having to undergo a more invasive procedure like a liver biopsy.

Your doctor may recommend additional tests if the score does not rule out fibrosis.

People with a score above 0.676 are more likely to have advanced liver fibrosis.

If you have a score below.455, you are unlikely to have advanced liver fibrosis.

The scores in between are considered not reliable by a clinical laboratory. You may need to take more tests if you have an indeterminate fibrosis score.

NAFLD Fibrosis Score Likelihood of liver scarring
above 0.676 Most likely
between -1.455 and 0.676 Undetermined
below -1.455 Unlikely

An NAFLD fibrosis score is based on a panel of blood tests, while a FibroScan uses ultrasound technology to measure hardness and fatty changes in your liver.

Doctors use a Fibro Scan to learn more about your condition and determine treatment.

A technician places an instrument on the skin of your body during a Fibro Scan test. It usually takes about 10 minutes.

“You will get a report with a score for your liver’s rigidity and a score for fat in the cells of your liver after the test.”

If your results show that your liver is normal or if it is worse, you will be told.

If you have been diagnosed with or suspected of having NAFLD, your doctor may use other diagnostic tests.

Physical exam

Your doctor can examine you for signs of cirrhosis by touching the abdomen or an enlarged spleen. They may look for signs of resistance to the drug.

Other tests

Your doctor may also order that.

  • Additional tests are done.
  • imaging tests such as a CT (computed tomography) scan, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), or special types of ultrasound to look for lumps or bumps on your liver.
  • A liver biopsy is a procedure in which small pieces of tissue are removed from your body and examined under a microscope.

Why do doctors use the NAFLD fibrosis scoring and FibroScan tests?

Many doctors prefer the Fibro Scan tests because they are quick and can give a good idea of how far away you have progressed from a disease.

Doctors can use the results of these tests to determine if more invasive testing, such as a liver biopsy, is needed.

How is the NAFLD fibrosis score calculated?

Some of the factors that determine your score include Your blood sugar., albumin, The count of platelets., age, BMI, and The status of diabetes..

The score shows the ratios of two liver enzymes.

Can NAFLD fibrosis scores improve?

Depending on the stage of your condition, you can either repair or reverse scarring related to NAFLD with various interventions like diet changes, lifestyle modification, and weight loss.

One small 2018 study showed improvement in 39 patients after 6 months of lifestyle modification.

Another study showed recovery in patients with obesity who underwent gastric bypass surgery.

What caused the condition is what heals your liver. Your scores will improve as your condition improves.

Can the liver heal from fibrosis?

A 2019 study found that a 10% to 45% regression of fibrosis is possible with lifestyle modifications.

The amount of scarring in your body should be indicated by your test results. If you have normal levels, there is no scarring. You can reverse or even reverse the damage if you have moderate or severe scarring.

Cirrhosis can generally not be reversed, but you can slow down the progression if you catch it soon enough. A 2017 review of studies indicates that advances are being made in this area.

A common disease is called NAFLD. Excess fat in your body is referred to as a “fat build up”. It can cause serious damage to the body\’s organs.

If your doctor suspects you have NAFLD, he or she may want you to take a panel of blood tests to determine your fibrosis score. There is a chance that there is liver scarring.

A FibroScan is an ultrasound test that your doctor may order. This test can help determine the amount of fat in your body.

The tests are non-contact and will give you a good idea of where you are. The scarring of the liver can be reversed if you catch NAFLD early. If you have severe damage to your body, you may be able to slow the progression of your condition.