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Welcome to the Hep Forums, a round-the-clock discussion area for people who have Fatty Liver Disease, Hepatitis B, C or a co-infection, their friends and family and others with questions about hepatitis and liver health. Check in frequently to read what others have to say, post your comments, and hopefully learn more about how you can reach your own health goals.

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Recent Posts

Pages: 1 2 [3] 4 5 ... 10
21
On Hepatitis C Treatment / Re: Hepatitis C: Questions
« Last post by Lynn K on May 07, 2022, 03:05:44 am »
There are on rare occasions false positives. So for the moment take a breath.

It takes I believe 3 to 5 days for the HCV RNA by PCR test results to come back.

“ False-positive results appear to be common. According to a 2017 report , 22 percent of 479 subjects received a false-positive anti-HCV test. According to a 2020 report, the rate of false-positive test results among 1,814 reactive serum samples was 10 percent”

https://www.healthline.com/health/hepatitis-c-false-positive#how-common-is-it


Good luck sending you wishes for negative test results
22
On Hepatitis C Treatment / Hepatitis C: Questions
« Last post by Jet1000 on April 30, 2022, 06:50:55 pm »

Hello,

Thank you for reading my message.

My PCP did my annual physical last week, and my Hepatitis C AB test result came as positive. I am waiting for the results for the HCV RNA PCR. I cannot recall if this test was ever done before.

I have never done drugs or used needles in my life. I cannot think of a single activity that I have done in my life where there was a blood-to-blood transfer between me and someone else. I live alone and do not indulge in any sexual activity. I am male, 45, 5 ft 8, 135 lbs, work out twice per week with dumbbells and eat a plant-based diet.

The only way I can think of having contracted Hep C is when I get my blood drawn for my doctor visits (every 6 months or so) at a hospital lab due to improper use of the needles by the nurse, which seems unlikely as I always see them open a new syringe before drawing my blood.

Medications:
Spironolactone: 50 mg for my retinal condition
Cabergoline 0.5 mg for elevated prolactin
Letrozole for elevated estrogen
Vitamin D supplement.


Questions:
1) Given the above background, I am trying to figure out how my Hep C Antibody came as positive.  Any responses would be helpful.

2) How long does it take to get results for the HCV RNA PCR test?

Thank you
23
Advanced Liver Disease / Re: Liver Pain after eating
« Last post by Pete on April 27, 2022, 01:27:15 am »
Hi Lynn,  I recall we chatted a few years back.  Good we're both still here! It would appear that my abdominal pain was a result of diverticulitis that has developed.  Not all that uncommon for my age.  I should be able to keep this in check with moderate changes to my diet. Of course when you have ALD one suspects liver with any symptom.  Now about that liver.

I had Y90 treatment in the fall of 2017.  Things seemed to be going nicely until my AFP levels started to rise in April 2021.  I was having MRI's every 3 months with no new tumor being detected. AFP really shot up in February this year and my hepatologist ordered a PET CT scan. There it was, hiding within the scarred section of my liver that was damaged by a previous resection and the Y90. The blood flow in that region is very poor and the MRI contrast did no show the tumor as a result.  A 3.6 cm tumor was discovered with the PET CT and a treatment plan was implemented. Considering the positive response with the first Y90, that was chosen to address the new tumor

I just received my second dose of the Y90 element yesterday.  Won't know how well I respond for about 2-3 months.  I'm fortunate to still be Child Pugh A, so I feel pretty good, all things considered. I turn 70 in June and I'm still working.  Here's hoping.  Thanks Lynn for your reply, much appreciated!

Pete



24
Advanced Liver Disease / Re: Liver Pain after eating
« Last post by Lynn K on March 20, 2022, 12:34:52 am »
Hi Pete sorry to hear about your pain issues. I really don’t have any advice beyond working with your hepatologist.

Just wanted to let you know you are seen and sending you healing wishes. I’m also happy to hear you are still hanging in there after your tumor scare

Lynn
25
Advanced Liver Disease / Liver Pain after eating
« Last post by Pete on February 25, 2022, 04:54:43 pm »
Hello everyone -Been awhile since I've posted here. I have advanced cirrhosis with portal vein hypertension.  I think the last time I was here, I was dealing with a 19cm tumor that I thought was going to do me in. We opted to treat the lesion with Y90 radio-embolism.  So far no new lesions have bee found.

I  recently been have experiencing significant upper abdominal pain after eating.   Looking for pain management recommendations from anyone who may have run into this. This has now occurred 3 times in the past month.  I visited the ER on one occasion and they came up with no significant cause.  CT scan liver, ultra sound gall bladder, blood work were performed.  The ER visit was followed by another MRI.  Again nothing revealing. I did mention the ER incident to my Dr.

This may be of interest.  I've been having an MRI abdomen performed about every 90 days for the past 18 months watching for tumor activity.  No new changes or lesions have been noted.  However my AFP levels started to elevate about a year ago. My last blood work indicated AFP shot up to 671. My hematologist is without cause at this time as MRI scans look OK considering my histology.  More consulting is coming up next week.  She mentioned biopsy..

While they try to figure the AFP piece out, I want to kill the pain when it flairs up. Opioids will relieve the pain and get me back to normal after a day, but that is not a long term option.  Any holistic ideas for pain, CBD perhaps?

Pete

26
Hepatitis B / Re: Tested for HBV and wife pregnant. Please help
« Last post by concerned2022 on January 25, 2022, 09:49:34 am »
Thank You Lynn for your response.
27
Hepatitis B / Re: Tested for HBV and wife pregnant. Please help
« Last post by Lynn K on January 17, 2022, 10:02:29 pm »
“ A result of "<10 IU/mL (<1.00 log IU/mL)" indicates that HBV DNA is detected, but the HBV DNA level present cannot be quantified accurately below this lower limit of quantification of this assay. When clinically indicated, follow-up testing with this assay is recommended in 1 to 2 months.”

https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/test-catalog/overview/65555#Clinical-and-Interpretive
28
Hepatitis B / Re: Tested for HBV and wife pregnant. Please help
« Last post by Lynn K on January 17, 2022, 12:48:29 pm »
Here is a link to FAQ for the general public about hepatitis B from the US CDC

https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hbv/bfaq.htm#bFAQc01
29
Hepatitis B / Re: Tested for HBV and wife pregnant. Please help
« Last post by Lynn K on January 17, 2022, 12:32:45 pm »
We here are a community of patients and cannot offer medical advice or guidance. We are here to provide moral support and to share our own experiences.

The virus would not be in your DNA. The test you listed is a test for the DNA of the hepatitis B virus. It does appear to me as a non medical person that test does show as weakly positive for hepatitis B virus DNA.

For medical advice and recommendations follow the advice of your personal physician. Of course if you are not confident in the advice of your current doctor you may seek a second opinion. I’m assuming the doctor would prescribe the standard vaccination protocols for your baby.

Congrats on you soon to be born addition to your family.

Here is a link to the immunization schedule for children through adolescent per the US CDC

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-adolescent.html



30
Hepatitis B / Tested for HBV and wife pregnant. Please help
« Last post by concerned2022 on January 15, 2022, 11:08:58 pm »
Hello,

Please kindly read my situation. I’m concerned as my wife is pregnant and I’m worried about the baby.

I’m 35 years old who grew up in South Asia. I never had any blood work or annul checkups done until recently. I did not even know my blood group. No sexual partners other than my wife. I don’t know how or when I might have got Hep B.

We came to know that my wife was pregnant in Oct 2021. No sex after she got pregnant. I went for blood donation drive at American Red Cross in Nov 2021 and got a letter with below test results:

Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Test: Non-Reactive
Hepatitis B Core Antibodies Test: Reactive
HBc Final Interpretation: Reactive
HBV Discriminatory NAT: Reactive

I went to Primary Physician and test reports from that visit:

Hepatitis B Surface Antigen: Non-Reactive
Hepatitis B Core IGM: Non-Reactive
Hepatitis C Virus Antibody: Non-Reactive
Hepatitis A Antibody IGM: Non-Reactive

Doctor said that lab made a mistake in above tests and did wrong test(like Hep C & Hep A instead of Hep B tests). But he said it doesn’t matter as virus was found in my DNA(though very low) as per below results from another report. He has referred me to a GI. I have to see GI next.

HBV QNT by NAAT(IU/ml): <10 detected
HBV QNT by NAAT(log IU/ml): <1.00

My wife’s blood work from her Obgyn’s first prenatal visit tested Non-Reactive for HBsAg.

I’m confused to whether I have Hep B and if I can infect my wife?

Going forward, what tests/vaccinations should we follow for my wife through her pregnancy and for baby when born ?
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