Advanced Fatty Liver Disease Test Panel
Advanced Fatty Liver Disease Test Panel
Detect and monitor non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which could lead to liver fibrosis or cirrhosis. This marker is recommended by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology. Read moreTest details
Sample type:
Blood
Preparation:
You do not need to do anything special to prepare for the sample collection.
Fasting is not required for this test.
What
This test panel measures the levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and platelets in your blood. These levels, together with your age, can indicate if you are at a higher risk for advanced liver fibrosis. If this initial test panel result (FIB4 Index) is ≥1.30, then an additional follow-up test, the Enhanced Liver Fibrosis, will be performed on your original sample at no original charge to help you and your doctor identify next steps.
Who
Our Fatty Liver Advanced Disease Panel is for anyone who wants to determine whether they are at risk for NAFLD, NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis), or other liver conditions related to liver fibrosis. Clinical data suggests that this test may or may not result accurately for adults younger than 35 years old or older than 65 years old and should consider alternative testing. Must be 18+ years of age to purchase.
How
Blood
Where
Schedule an appointment, then visit one of the Quest Diagnostics Patient Service Centers.
About the Test
Help determine if you have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and are at high risk to develop advanced liver fibrosis, or cirrhosis by testing alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and platelet levels in your blood. NAFLD is the most common liver disease worldwide, and less than 5% of people suffering from it are aware that they are sick.1 These levels, together with your age, will be used to calculate a fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index score. If the FIB-4 index score is equal to or higher than 1.30, further testing (enhanced liver fibrosis [ELF] score), will be performed using the sample already provided to determine your risk of progression to cirrhosis or liver-related events. If diagnosed early enough, treatment options to reverse or slow the disease are available. If left untreated, NAFLD can lead to NASH, fibrosis, and cirrhosis.
How it works
questhealth.com offers 100+ consumer-initiated Quest Diagnostics lab tests to empower you to have more control over your health journey. Choose from a variety of test types that best suit your needs.
FAQs
Fibrosis is when more scar tissue builds up in the liver than normal. When fibrosis gets bad enough it is considered cirrhosis, where all the scar tissue causes the liver to stop working like it should, and the liver begins to fail.
New studies have shown that fibrosis can be treated and reversed if diagnosed early. Damage caused by cirrhosis is permanent and cannot be undone. But further damage can be avoided by diagnosing and treating the underlying condition.
The FIB-4 Index score is calculated by using your age and levels of several markers in your blood to find a number. If your number is in range, you aren’t considered high risk for fatty liver disease. If the number is above a certain range, the ELF score (Enhanced Liver Fibrosis) test will be conducted. The ELF score is calculated by using levels of HA, PIIINP, and TIMP-1 in your blood. The ELF score will determine how bad the fibrosis could be and will give you and your physician information to identify next steps.
You may be able to use your FSA or HSA funds to purchase lab tests at questhealth.com. Please review your FSA/HSA plan or check with a tax professional to confirm specific requirements for individual eligibility.
Our references
- AACE Endocrine Practice. American Association of Clinical Endocrinology Clinical Practice Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Primary Care and Endocrinology Clinical Settings. Accessed July 3, 2023. https://www.endocrinepractice.org/article/S1530-891X(22)00090-8/fulltext
- Am J Gastroenterol advance online publication, 11 October 2016; doi: 10.1038/ajg.2016.453 https://boris.unibe.ch/93541/1/Age%20as%20a%20Confounding%20Factor%20for%20the%20Accurate.pdf