Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELF) Panel - Test, Procedure & Cost

The ELF Test is a non-invasive blood test that is used to measure three direct tombstones of fibrosis, that is

• Hyaluronic acid (HA)
• Procollagen III amino-terminal peptide (PIIINP)
• Tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1)

ELF performs best when two thresholds are used:

1. An upper entry to confirm advanced fibrosis 
2. A lower point to exclude fibrosis

This test is used along with other laboratory and clinical findings. It aids in assessing the risk of progression to cirrhosis in patients with chronic liver disease. It is a simple blood test to evaluate the risk of NAFLD(non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) and liver problems.

Liver

The liver is an organ of the human body the size of a football. It is present just under your rib cage on the right side of your abdomen. The liver is essential for digesting food and ridding your body of toxic substances.

The liver plays a vital role in controlling the internal processes of life. The work of a liver is to convert nutrients of food into substrates essential for your body's function and generate energy.

Signs of Liver Disease

Liver disease symptoms are not always noticeable. The significant signs and symptoms of liver disease include-

• * Skin and eyes that appear yellowish
• * Abdominal pain and swelling
• * Swelling in the legs and ankles
• * Itchy skin
• * Dark urine color
• * Pale stool color
• * Chronic fatigue
• * Nausea or vomiting
• * Loss of appetite
• * Tendency to bruise easily

Major Risk factors of Liver Disease

The significant factors that may increase the risk of liver disease include

• * Heavy alcohol use
• * Obesity
• * Type 2 diabetes
• * Tattoos or body piercings
• * Injecting drugs using shared needles
• * Blood transfusion
• * Exposure to other people's blood and body fluids
• * Unprotected sex
• * Exposure to certain chemicals or toxin

            Family history of liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

It embodies common liver disease in Western countries with a high prevalence rate. NAFLD includes a whole range of liver diseases ranging from steatosis to inflammation and ballooning, and progressive fibrosis. NAFLD has become a leading cause of liver mortality due to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Why is this test important?

The incidence of the chronic liver disease tends to be increasing in health-related states. Morbidity and mortality associated with chronic liver disease typically occur in patients with advanced fibrosis. Therefore, early identification of those is essential to ensure appropriate ongoing management.

What is this test?

The enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) test is a blood test that measures three molecules involved in liver Matrix metabolism to give a score reflecting the severity of liver fibrosis.

Liver disease severity should be examined before therapy.