Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)—often called fatty liver disease—occurs when excess fat builds up in the liver in association with metabolic risk factors. Because it usually causes few or no symptoms, important changes can occur before a person knows there is a problem.
Fat is only part of the story
For some people, fatty liver remains stable. For others, ongoing inflammation can lead to fibrosis, or scar tissue. Identifying fibrosis early matters because more advanced scarring can progress to cirrhosis and increase the risk of serious liver complications. Routine blood work and standard imaging may not tell the whole story, which is why a focused fibrosis assessment may be helpful.
What is a FibroScan?
FibroScan is a quick, painless test performed without needles, sedation, or an incision. It uses vibration-controlled transient elastography to estimate liver stiffness, which can be associated with fibrosis, and it also measures liver fat. Results are interpreted together with your history, examination, laboratory tests, and other imaging—not as a stand-alone diagnosis.
Why repeat testing may be recommended
Liver health can change as weight, blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure, medications, and other conditions change. For patients with known fatty liver or ongoing metabolic risk, I may recommend a FibroScan yearly as part of a personalized monitoring plan. Others may need testing more or less often. Your recommended interval should be based on your individual risk and prior results.