Transient elastography (FibroScan)

Having a TE scan (FibroScan)

Before the scan

You will probably be asked not to eat anything for at least 3 hours before your scan. You can drink clear liquids during this time but avoid fizzy drinks.

You will need to lift your top up to have the scan. So it is best to wear loose clothing with a separate top and bottom.

Having the scan

You will be asked to lie down, lift up your top and put your right arm above your head. Some gel will be put on your skin. This will be on your right side, towards the bottom of your ribs.

The scan probe looks a bit like a microphone or a thick plastic wand. It will be put on your skin where the gel is. You might feel a little vibration as the measurement is taken but it will not hurt.

You might have several readings taken and sometimes it takes a few goes to get a clear result. But in total it should only take around 5 to 15 minutes.

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Understanding your results

The scan machine gives the result straight away. The result will be a number between 1.5 and 75 kilopascals (KPa).

You might be given this number at your scan. Or you may have to wait for a follow up appointment.

You may see “normal” or “reference” ranges for TE or FibroScan scores online, but these are not right for everyone.  There is no set number that will tell you if you have a liver condition or not. Generally, higher numbers are linked to more scarring. But your doctor will need to look at your result alongside all your other test results and information about you and your symptoms.

Finding health information online.

There are lots of types of liver disease. So you will need other tests as well to get a diagnosis  and understand the stage of your condition.

You can find out more about the stages of liver disease here.

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Support and information

If you have been told you have a liver condition, or are at risk of one, it can help to get more information. This can make it easier to understand your condition. And to have conversations with your medical team about your care and your choices.

The British Liver Trust also offers a range of support. We are there for anyone with a liver condition and for your family and friends.

We also have lots of information about living with a liver condition:

• Liver blood tests (LFT)
• Tests for liver conditions
• Take our free online screener
• Liver conditions A to Z
• Useful words glossary
• Living with a liver condition
• Eating, drinking and keeping active
• Mental health

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Love your Liver Roadshow

The British Liver Trust is working to raise awareness of liver disease and the huge benefits of early detection.

As part of this, our Love Your Liver Roadshow travels the country offering people information about risk factors and a free liver scan.

Roadshow scan tests cannot diagnose or rule out a liver condition and cannot be used instead of a scan from your healthcare team. Unfortunately we cannot offer you a scan at the roadshow if you have ever been told that you have a liver condition.

But the roadshow team can help you to understand more about your liver health and if you should speak to your doctor about tests.

Find out more here.

Take the free online love your liver risk screener here

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Special thanks

We would like to thank the patients and doctors who helped up to create this information. Including Professor Stephen Ryder, consultant hepatologist at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS trust.

Published: August 2025

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