AATD-Liver Scan Study 

Helping Alphas Learn About Their Liver Health 

Understanding your liver health is an important part of living with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1). One valuable tool that may help provide insight into your liver health is a FibroScan®. 

A FibroScan® is a simple, non-invasive test that helps measure liver stiffness and detect possible liver scarring or fatty liver disease. The procedure is quick, painless, and similar to receiving an ultrasound. Results from a FibroScan® can help you and your healthcare team better understand your liver health and determine whether additional monitoring may be beneficial.  

To learn more about what this procedure entails, please watch the video below: 

As part of the Alpha-1 Foundation’s initiative to increase liver health awareness, the AATD-Liver Scan Study offers free FibroScan® screenings to Alpha-1 Research Registry participants who are attending A1F Education Days or the annual A1F National Conference.  

The AATD-Liver Scan Study: What Do I Need to Know? 

  • 18 years of age and older  
  • Have a diagnosis of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1) (all genotypes accepted) 
  • Enrolled in the Alpha-1 Research Registry 
  • Attending a A1F Education Day or A1F National Conference in person
  • Liver transplant recipients 
  • Pregnant patients 
  • Patients with ascites  
  • Patients unable to lie flat on their backs for 10 minutes 
  • Patients who have received a FibroScan® as part of the AATD-Liver Study within the last year 
  • You will be asked to sign consent forms, complete an AATD-Liver Scan Study questionnaire, and have your height and weight measured before the scan. 
  • The FibroScan® will take approximately 10 minutes to complete.  
  • Shirts that can easily be lifted to access the abdomen are preferred and recommended. 
  • For the most accurate results, it is ideal to fast from food and beverages for at least 2 hours before your appointment (water is ok). 
  1. Ensure you are enrolled in the Alpha-1 Research Registry. Not sure if you are currently enrolled? Check using the Alpha-1 Research Registry Record ID Lookup Tool
  2. Register to attend an in-person A1F Education Day or A1F National Conference. Once registered, you will automatically receive an email invitation to schedule your free FibroScan® screening.
    • For upcoming A1F Education Days, click here.
    • For the upcoming A1F National Conference, click here.
    • To learn more about the Alpha-1 Research Registry, click here.

Taking steps today to better understand your liver health can help support your overall well-being in the future. We encourage you to speak with your healthcare provider about whether a FibroScan® may be right for you. 

For any questions or concerns, please contact the Alpha-1 Research Registry Coordinators at 1-877-228-7321 ext. 245 or 252, or alpha1registry@alpha1.org.