So I got my test results back

Ok heres the story. I called my doctor up after waiting the weekend to see what my results were. They said they had my results and I would have to come in to see them. So I waited in the walk in clinic for about 2 and half hours and when I finally went to see the doctor for the results they didn't even tell me if i was positive or negative for hep c. When I got my blood tested they took 3 viles of blood 1 for hep c, 1 for hep b and 1 for liver function. Anyways so the only thing the doctor told me is that my liver is functioning normally and have no signs of hep c. He said I would have to come see what my other results were in a couple weeks. That must of been one of the most nerve rackin couple of hours in my whole life. I'm just wondering if you guys know if all people with hep c have decreased liver function? Because I don't.

[fretboard]

Well I'm glad you have the good news that you don't have HepC.  Hope you learned something from sharing beers, I haven't shared bottles of anything since around 35 years ago,  I learned my lesson early as I got HepA from sharing a Pepsi with one of my friends.  If I share anything it's with my wife, besides the thought of sharing beer is a bit ghetto.  LOL  Good luck to you kid and chalk this up to one of those lessons we all learn.  later

[Trish77]

If the doc is basing his diagnosis on your liver function test only, that's not enough. I had perfectly normal liver function when I was diagnosed with Hep C.  That's not enough information for you, unfortunately unless he means that the blood test says you have no signs of Hep C.  Did the blood test for Hep C tell you if you are positive or negative for Hep C antibodies?   I would call them back and ask that question.  If you are negative, hurray.  If you are positive, then you need another test called a PCR to determine if your Hep C is active or not.

Good luck.

[Marbro]

Well when I went in to get my results the doctor only told me that my liver was functioning normally and he said he didn't have the results for the hep c yet. So I'm still waiting on that. Least I know my liver is in good shape, it sure doesn't feel like it is though. Maybe a muscle strain or my appendix is bothering me who knows. I just can't wait to get my results. Thanks for the support guys.

[Trish77]

There is a muscle in your abdominal wall.  I get charley horses in mine.  Perhaps that's what you have.  Here's hoping.

[comeagain]

You probebly dont have it but you can´t be sure until you get that hepc test result.
Be glad  you only have to wait two weeks for the answer.

22years ago when HIV wasn´t that well known. I was certain I´ve got it.
I had all the symtoms (symptoms) swollen lymphnodes, high fever, penicillin didn´t help.
The test came up negativ but they told me to be sure I had to take one more test after 6 months.

I how never had been sick before (exept fore the regular child diseases and drugsick) started to look for symptoms all the time.
And I´m not kidding in them 6 months I developed every critical illnes you can find in a doctor book such as bone neoplasm just to meation one nasty one. Don´t read them books , but as I said in 14 days you can´t get that many .

Take care and God Bless
ca

[copyman]

hey that is good news but like the others said you have to see what the results of the specific hepatitis tests show. like i said before i think you had a very low risk of exposure and i would wager a large sum of money that you do NOT have it :-) I do not understand why they did not have the results back yet, if they did just a hep panal. If they did a PCR test then that can take up to 2 weeks for results. stay off the internet or you will make yourself sick. please report back when the results come in.

[Marbro]

Do you guys know what ACT and AST is? Because I remember when i first went to see my doctor i told him I wanted to get tested for hepc+b and he filled out the requisition for a hepc and b panel and AST+ Bili + ACT... It obviously has somethin to do with liver function because those were the results I just got yesterday.. but what does it actually mean? I also don't understand why they would call me into the walk in clinic and have me wait there for hours just to tell me half of the results.

[Trish77]

I didn't think I would ever find myself saying this to someone but I agree with copyman .. stay off the internet or you're going to make yourself sick!    You need to chillllll...totally chilllllll....til your results come in.  Not a single bit of your worrying is going to change those results.  As of right now you do NOT have Hepatitis C.  Until you get those results, you do NOT have Hepatitis C.   Let us know the results, please.  

[Trinity4]

If I can find this on the net so can you.  You really need to chill because they told you your levels are fine.  Why keep putting yourself through this unless you enjoy being stressed out all the time.  As far as having to wait, God forbid you find out you do have hepc because then you will know the true meaning to HAVING TO WAIT.  You haven't seen anything yet.  Please read the following and research you questions.  You seem like a smart kid and people on this forum can't answer questions about symptoms that don't exist.

||||| What are Liver Function Tests?
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LFTs (liver function tests) are a group of blood tests that can help to show how well a person's liver is working. LFTs include measurements of albumin, various liver enzymes (ALT, AST, GGT and ALP), bilirubin, prothrombin time, cholesterol and total protein. All of these tests can be performed at the same time.

||||| Measuring Liver Proteins:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total protein testing (also called TP or serum total protein) measures the amount of proteins in the bloodstream. Many different things can cause abnormally high or low protein levels. A doctor may order total protein testing to help diagnose kidney or liver disease, blood cancer, malnutrition or abnormal body swelling. Normal protein levels in the bloodstream range from 6.5 to 8.2 grams per deciliter Two of the main proteins found in the bloodstream are albumin and globulin.

Globulins are made by various liver cells and the immune system. They help to fight off infections. Low globulin levels can have many causes other than liver damage.

Albumin is a protein made in the liver. If the liver is badly damaged, it can no longer produce albumin. Albumin maintains the amount of blood in the veins and arteries. When albumin levels become very low, fluid can leak out from the blood vessels into nearby tissues, causing swelling in the feet and ankles. Very low levels of albumin may be a sign of liver damage. The normal albumin range is from 3.9 grams/ deciliter to 5.0 grams/deciliter.

Prothrombin (also called factor II) is a protein that helps to clot blood. Prothrombin is made in the liver. A prothrombin time test measures how much time it takes for a person's blood to clot. The normal time needed for blood to clot is between 10 and 15 seconds. A person with an abnormally long prothrombin time may be at risk for excessive bleeding. A longer prothrombin time can be caused by serious liver disease or:


A lack of vitamin K,
Blood-thinning medicines,
Other medications that can interfere with the test.
Certain bleeding disorders.


||||| Measuring Liver Enzymes:
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ALT and AST are enzymes made in the liver. They are also known as transaminases. The liver uses these enzymes to metabolize amino acids and to make proteins. When liver cells are damaged or dying, ALT and AST leak into the bloodstream. Many different things can cause liver enzymes to rise above normal levels, including:

Viral hepatitis
Excessive alcohol intake/Alcoholic liver disease
Liver inflammation from medications and certain herbs,
Auto-immune hepatitis - a condition where a person's immune system mistakes the liver for an invader and attacks it,
Fatty liver- fat build -up in liver cells, called steatohepatitis when the fatty liver is inflamed
Inherited liver diseases
Liver tumors
Heart failure
ALT (also called alanine aminotransferase or SGPT) is found in the liver only. High levels of ALT in the bloodstream mean that there may be liver inflammation and/or damage. This test cannot predict liver damage or disease progression. It is simply a direct measurement of the amount of ALT in the person's bloodstream at the time of the test. The normal range of ALT levels is between 5 IU/L to 60 IU/L (International Units per Liter). ALT levels in people with HCV often rise and fall over time, so additional testing such as HCV RNA, HCV genotyping and a liver biopsy may be needed to help determine the cause and extent of liver damage.

AST (also called aspartate aminotransferase or SGOT) is found in other organs besides the liver. High AST levels in the bloodstream can be a sign of liver trouble. AST testing measures the level of AST in a person's bloodstream at a given time. The normal range for AST levels in the bloodstream are 5 IU/L to 43 IU/L. Like ALT levels, AST levels in people with HCV often vary over time and can't be used to forecast disease progression or specifically measure liver damage.

||||| Bilirubin:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bilirubin is a yellow fluid produced in the liver when worn-out red blood cells are broken down. Bilirubin can leak out from the liver into the bloodstream if the liver is damaged. When bilirubin builds up, it can cause jaundice - a yellowing of the eyes and skin, dark urine and light colored feces. The causes of abnormal bilirubin levels include:

Viral hepatitis,
Blocked bile ducts,
Other liver diseases,
Liver scarring (cirrhosis)
Total bilirubin testing measures the amount of bilirubin in the bloodstream. Normal total bilirubin levels range from .20mg/dl to 1.50 (milligrams per deciliter). Direct bilirubin testing measures bilirubin made in the liver. The normal level of direct bilirubin range from .00 to .03 mg/dl