The FibroTest-ActiTest panel is a specialized blood test that evaluates the amount of fibrosis (scarring) and inflammatory activity in the liver. Fibrosis occurs when the liver tries to repair itself after injury, creating scar tissue. Over time, too much scar tissue disrupts normal liver function, leading to conditions such as cirrhosis (severe scarring), liver failure, or liver cancer.
The panel uses a mathematical formula that combines several blood markers, including alpha-2-macroglobulin (a protein involved in inflammation control), haptoglobin (a protein that binds free hemoglobin), apolipoprotein A1 (a cholesterol-related protein), gamma-glutamyl transferase (an enzyme linked to bile duct health), and total bilirubin (a waste product from the breakdown of red blood cells). These markers reflect different aspects of liver function, tissue damage, and healing response. The FibroTest focuses on fibrosis, while the ActiTest assesses the degree of active inflammation.
Inflammation and fibrosis in the liver are usually caused by chronic liver diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, alcohol-related liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Identifying the degree of damage is crucial because early stages of fibrosis can often be reversed if the underlying cause is treated, but advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis are more difficult to manage and may require liver transplantation.
When FibroTest-ActiTest levels are abnormal, it suggests the liver is undergoing injury or has already developed significant scarring. However, not all abnormal results mean severe disease. Certain conditions like acute inflammation, hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells), or Gilbert’s syndrome (a benign genetic condition affecting bilirubin levels) can interfere with the test results, sometimes making the liver seem more damaged than it actually is.
Compared to a traditional liver biopsy, which involves inserting a needle into the liver to remove a small tissue sample, the FibroTest-ActiTest is non-invasive and carries no risk of bleeding or infection. It also provides a more global view of the liver’s condition, while a biopsy samples only a very small area that may not reflect the whole organ. However, the FibroTest-ActiTest is not perfect—it can be less accurate if the patient has conditions like hemolysis, acute hepatitis, or other diseases affecting the measured blood markers.
This panel has become an important tool for monitoring liver disease progression over time and guiding treatment decisions, particularly for patients who cannot or should not undergo a biopsy.
