Toronto, Ontario. Vancouver B.C. December 11, 2024: LifeLabs, Canada’s leading provider of laboratory services, is excited to announce the launch of the Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELFTM) Score test in British Columbia, following its introduction in Ontario in late 2023. This non-invasive blood test is designed to help people, and their doctors better understand the risk of advanced liver disease before it becomes severe.
Liver disease, primarily non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) can progress silently and lead to serious health issues like cirrhosis. The ELF Score test measures key markers in the blood that help indicate the level of liver scarring, helping doctors identify individuals at risk and take steps to manage or slow down disease progression early.
Why This Matters:
- Simple, Non-Invasive and Convenient: A straightforward blood test that avoids the need for complex or uncomfortable procedures.
- Increased Accessibility: Geographical disparities exist for accessing gastroenterologists and transient elastography across Canada. Addressing these gaps with non-invasive tools like the ELF Score can enhance liver disease management and reduce the burden on individuals and communities.
- Reduce Wait Times: Patients can receive timely treatment from GPs without the long wait for specialist appointments for liver scans.
- Informed Referrals: Helps empower general practitioners to make confident, necessary referrals, avoiding many unnecessary ones.
“Offering the ELF Score test aligns with our mission to give Canadians more tools to understand and take charge of their health,” said Charles Brown, President and CEO at LifeLabs. “This test provides insights that help people, and their physicians make informed decisions, potentially preventing serious liver issues before they start.”
This test provides insights to help you take control of your liver health and make informed decisions with your healthcare provider.
You’re more likely to develop NAFLD (MASLD) if you:
- Are overweight or obese
- Have type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes
- Have abnormal levels of fats in your blood, which may include high levels of triglycerides, high levels of “bad” (LDL) cholesterol, or low levels of “good” (HDL) cholesterol
- Have metabolic syndrome. This is a mix of conditions linked to being overweight or obese and makes you more likely to get type 2 diabetes and heart disease. In order to be diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, any three of the following conditions must be present:
- Large waist size
- High blood pressure
- High blood sugar (glucose)
- High levels of triglycerides in your blood
- Low levels of “good” (HDL) cholesterol in your blood
False results do occur. Like most screening tests, false positives are more likely than false negatives and additional testing should be considered.
Please discuss your results with your healthcare provider. The information provided by this test should not be used to start, stop, or change any course of treatment unless advised by your healthcare provider. This test is not a substitute for visits to a healthcare provider.
For more details about the ELF Score test and how it can support liver health management, please visit Liver Fibrosis Testing – LifeLabs
Quotes:
“Given the subtle way that chronic liver disease may evolve, and the serious consequences of this condition, the importance of early detection in the progression prior to advanced stages cannot be overstated. Indeed, the benefits of noninvasive testing like the ELF Score include a test that is both convenient and simple to administer, while providing enhancements in the ability to assess patients with, as well as before, the development of advanced damage/scarring of the liver. This may provide an opportunity for both the healthcare provider and patient to collaborate in preventing progression to end-stage liver disease; thus, potentially avoiding the consequences of this condition and developing complications that can reduce both quality and quantity of life.” – Dr. Ted Xenodemetropoulos, MD, MSc, FRCPC, Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Division of Education and Innovation, McMaster University
“The ELF test is a non-invasive tool which will provide important information regarding the amount of damage in the liver, which is an area of significant unmet medical need. When 25-30% of the population may have a liver disease, we need a reliable, non-invasive test which can be used in multiple settings to provide the patient and physicians with the stage of liver damage. In particular, as ELF is an easy blood-based test it will allow access for persons outside large cities to a higher level of evaluation.” – Dr. Alnoor Ramji MD FRCP(C) Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Division of Gastroenterology, University Of British Columbia.
“I see every day the difference early and accurate liver disease risk assessment can make. Tools like the ELF Score provide a vital opportunity for both patients and healthcare providers. Ultimately, it’s about giving people the tools they need to manage their health proactively, potentially preventing progression to more serious liver conditions.” – Mike Betel, President and Founder of the Fatty Liver Alliance
