Just found out I'm hep c positive

[Bparker]

Hello all, I'm reaching out as I've been clean for 6 years from IV drug use I have been. To treatment and tested previously for hep c. I have a beautiful 2 year old healthy daughter and am now pregnant with my 2nd. My liver enzymes were high and I was tested for hep c and came out positive. I'm obviously in shock as to how it's gone undetected for this long. As I wait for the 2nd test results I'm wondering if because my liver enzymes are high I have the live virus or can I just have the antibodies and contracted in the past but still have high liver enzymes.

In the past I have had an occasional beer but never more than 2 since my daughter was born and now that I'm pregnant. I know I'm looking for all the answers at once but really need to wait until more tests are ran

[Lynn K]

Hello and welcome

So I am assuming you have only had the antibody test and not the test for the hep c virus itself the HCV RNA by PCR test.

About 25% of people are able to beat the virus in their own and don’t require treatment. Those people and anyone who was infected but were treated and cured will always test positive for hep c antibodies so the only way to know if you are infected is to have the HCV RNA test.

I am not surprised it was not noticed previously hep c antibodies are not generally tested. It is recommended for baby boomers to get hep c antibody tested as they are a group with a higher infection rate. If your doctor was aware of your prior IV drug use history that would have been a good test to have had. But if they did not know your prior history there would not be a reason to have hep c antibody tests done.

But anyway we are here now. Because you have elevated liver enzymes that is a red flag you are infected. Having elevated liver enzymes means something is bothering your liver. So if you have no other reason to have elevated liver enzymes it unfortunately may mean you are infected.

If you are infected you will need to wait until after your child is born before starting treatment.

Waiting that additional time is not a concern as hep c is a very lowly acting virus so a few more months won’t make a difference in your health.

Thee is a small risk of mother to child transmission so you should have your older child testedand after this new child is born I believe there is a waiting period maybe a year before you can test your new little one. But just know that the risk of transmission is only about 5%

Please let us know how it’s going and if you have any additional questions.

Best of luck

[lporterrn]

Pregnancy can cause liver enzymes to elevate, with or without hep C. If you just have antibodies, then the elevation is not related to hep C. If you do have the virus, then the elevated enzymes are likely, but not necessarily related, depending on how high the enzymes are.

Stay close and in contact because your situation is complicated and there are people here who will help you walk through this.

[Curious Alice]

Hi,

I’m sorry I can’t help with the ins and outs of the antibodies vs virus as to be honest, I don’t understand how it works. When I was first diagnosed I tested positive and then they changed their minds saying it was just the antibodies, and then again later confirming I did have the virus. It’s all a bit of a blur now and I have brain fog due to hepC so my memory isn’t great. It’s only now that I’ve started treatment that I’ve started blogging my journey so I don’t forget things!

Anyway, I just wanted to offer support as I was also diagnosed after giving birth and have since had another child since then and both of them have tested negative. One thing I wanted to make you aware of though in your pregnancy is obstetric choleostasis. I had it with my last pregnancy and Hep C positive patients are more likely to get it. It can be dangerous for Mum and baby. I don’t want to worry you, but just be on the lookout for itchy skin in your third trimester. X