Aa
Britgirl's latest result fiasco!
Hey there,
Well I just got back in from the docs after having gone in to pick up any further results that were back from lab and was given results by the receptionist!!! I know, wouldn't happen in USA but NHS is another thing altogether!
Anyway, as you might recall, my HBV DNA was about 6 weeks ago - 14000IU/ML
Today the receptionist read out details to me as she sat with her pale and somewhat insensitive Prime of Miss Jean Brody look on her old spinster face...Can you tell I am angry with this woman? I don't know about in USA but most medical receptionists in UK are far from pleasant people, in my experience.
She told me that my HBV DNA was 9 million. I of course said are you sure? She then started to get anxious and started to say I'm not telling you anymore you'll need to come and see the doctor, I don't really understand this.
I informed this woman that she had started and had now better finish. I urged her to read out to me what the screen said. So she then read out 'HBV DNA PCR = 9.0IU/ML.
I am now totally confused. She refused to tell me anymore and said I'd have to wait til Monday to see the doc as she didnt know what she was talking about. So my question is:
1. Do they record a HBV DNA as low as 9.0IU/ML or do they not just say undetectable?
2. Is 9.0 undetectable?
3. What does that mean? Does it mean I have possibly cleared the virus? Bearing in mind this test was taken prior to me being put on any medicine.
4. Would it be possible to increase from 14,000 IU/ML to 9,000 000IU/ML in 6 weeks? Is it likely in someone who has totally normal liver enzymes, and is HBe antigen -ve and HBe antobody +ve ?
I am thinking this woman has gotten mixed up and read the IU/ML bit of the result and thought the ML represents million.
Anyone with any ideas here? Do we vote that she is a dafty and has got info wrong or do we vote that Britgirl is the dafty who has not been willing to accept that her VL has leapt up to 9,000 000IU/ML?
As always I delight in your answers. But plz be told that this is the one and only opportunity I am giving any of you to call me a dafty!!!!!!
Brit
Brit
Well I just got back in from the docs after having gone in to pick up any further results that were back from lab and was given results by the receptionist!!! I know, wouldn't happen in USA but NHS is another thing altogether!
Anyway, as you might recall, my HBV DNA was about 6 weeks ago - 14000IU/ML
Today the receptionist read out details to me as she sat with her pale and somewhat insensitive Prime of Miss Jean Brody look on her old spinster face...Can you tell I am angry with this woman? I don't know about in USA but most medical receptionists in UK are far from pleasant people, in my experience.
She told me that my HBV DNA was 9 million. I of course said are you sure? She then started to get anxious and started to say I'm not telling you anymore you'll need to come and see the doctor, I don't really understand this.
I informed this woman that she had started and had now better finish. I urged her to read out to me what the screen said. So she then read out 'HBV DNA PCR = 9.0IU/ML.
I am now totally confused. She refused to tell me anymore and said I'd have to wait til Monday to see the doc as she didnt know what she was talking about. So my question is:
1. Do they record a HBV DNA as low as 9.0IU/ML or do they not just say undetectable?
2. Is 9.0 undetectable?
3. What does that mean? Does it mean I have possibly cleared the virus? Bearing in mind this test was taken prior to me being put on any medicine.
4. Would it be possible to increase from 14,000 IU/ML to 9,000 000IU/ML in 6 weeks? Is it likely in someone who has totally normal liver enzymes, and is HBe antigen -ve and HBe antobody +ve ?
I am thinking this woman has gotten mixed up and read the IU/ML bit of the result and thought the ML represents million.
Anyone with any ideas here? Do we vote that she is a dafty and has got info wrong or do we vote that Britgirl is the dafty who has not been willing to accept that her VL has leapt up to 9,000 000IU/ML?
As always I delight in your answers. But plz be told that this is the one and only opportunity I am giving any of you to call me a dafty!!!!!!
Brit
Brit
Hey I feel so bad now moaning bout my silly probs and you have just lost yer job. What is plan B? I am intrigued...
Brit
Brit
If that is chronic, I could live with. Again I don't know much but it looks like you are coming through acute and have dodged the bullet. Well done.
Me on the other hand was made redundant today, but I expected it, if I can't get a resident permit I can't do my job, Ah well, (I am not whining about this though, I have plan B in progress).
Col
Me on the other hand was made redundant today, but I expected it, if I can't get a resident permit I can't do my job, Ah well, (I am not whining about this though, I have plan B in progress).
Col
Ok so I got some more lab results back today. My last results taken just around Feb time showed me to be still in acute phase with:
HBsAg +ve = 0.6 Range 0- 0.06
HBeantigen -ve
HBe antibody +ve
IgM +ve
IgG +ve
HBV DNA = 14000
Today I have been told I have:
HBsAg +ve = 2.1!!!!!!!!!! This has gone up. But I noticed it was using a different range from the last time ie. Range 0 - 0.098
HBV DNA < 9.0 - 4000 000 000
HBe antigen -ve
HBe antibody +ve
These results are au natural! In other words they are results that are minus any medications, the last set of results being done just prior to starting on Tenofovir.
I am confused. It seems that my HBV DNA is going down but the HBsAg is actually rising? Do these things fluctuate? Should I be concerned about this?
I called my doc and spoke with his secretary who very kindly called me back to say that the liver doc said my bloods were fine????? That I shouldn't be worried. Ok so I am anxious beyond belief and very impatient. Can anyone let me know if this is indication of chronic or not?
Brit
HBsAg +ve = 0.6 Range 0- 0.06
HBeantigen -ve
HBe antibody +ve
IgM +ve
IgG +ve
HBV DNA = 14000
Today I have been told I have:
HBsAg +ve = 2.1!!!!!!!!!! This has gone up. But I noticed it was using a different range from the last time ie. Range 0 - 0.098
HBV DNA < 9.0 - 4000 000 000
HBe antigen -ve
HBe antibody +ve
These results are au natural! In other words they are results that are minus any medications, the last set of results being done just prior to starting on Tenofovir.
I am confused. It seems that my HBV DNA is going down but the HBsAg is actually rising? Do these things fluctuate? Should I be concerned about this?
I called my doc and spoke with his secretary who very kindly called me back to say that the liver doc said my bloods were fine????? That I shouldn't be worried. Ok so I am anxious beyond belief and very impatient. Can anyone let me know if this is indication of chronic or not?
Brit
"SNORT!"
INNOCENT....
Exhibit A: Both "employees" of my male MD, both look like models. One male and one female.
Exhibit B: Former female MD for my kids, employed another 2 attractive females.
It should be duely noted that they all are wonderful in term attitude and work.
Nevertheless, by simple observation, it is reasonable to assume that they all checked yes to question #2.
Futhermore, I can't comment on the 3rd question since my wife is looking at me.
Respectfully submitted and answered.
I rest my case.
INNOCENT....
Exhibit A: Both "employees" of my male MD, both look like models. One male and one female.
Exhibit B: Former female MD for my kids, employed another 2 attractive females.
It should be duely noted that they all are wonderful in term attitude and work.
Nevertheless, by simple observation, it is reasonable to assume that they all checked yes to question #2.
Futhermore, I can't comment on the 3rd question since my wife is looking at me.
Respectfully submitted and answered.
I rest my case.
"And for the record, most of the receptionist at private MD offices are totally hot. I think it's the second question after "name" on the employment application. 'Are you totally hot' ____Yes ____No."
SNORT!
Its the THIRD question. Right after, 'Are you single?'
SNORT!
Its the THIRD question. Right after, 'Are you single?'
Still laffing at your remarks about receptionist lol.
Well I went to doc today and my results are:
HBV DNA <9
Range: 9 - 4000 000 000.
Peteshine, I was diagnosed as acute almost 9 months ago now. And I still have signs of it still being acute. Doc thinks it may have something to do with being diabetic and that my immune system is taking longer to clear out. Without medication I have been able to:
1. Reduce HBsAg from 2000 to 0.1
2. Reduce all LFTs to normal levels
3. Seroconvert from HBe antigen +ve to Anti-HBe positive.
4. Reduce HBV DNA from millions to under 9.
I am curious about what now I need to be asking in order to find out if I am gonna get this out, but in short I did get my HBV DNA down from 14000 to under 9 in just 3 weeks. Is this good sign?
Yeah I thought also that the HBe antigen thing and HBe antibody serocoversion thing indicated chronic too but I am so confued I have lost the will to understand it all. The thing is that I still have my IgM antibody along with the IgG too. That according to my specialist is the bit that he doesn't fully understand and so has decided to put me on Tenofovir which I have done for 2 weeks now in the hope that it will flush out the last bits of virus that the immune system is having difficult with. And then MAYBE my antibodies will appear...
So then, does under 9 not mean 0? Or would it specifically say 0?
I also had quite severe symptoms 9 months back with jaundice, vomiting, itching, severe weight loss (god I was so gorgeously thin...figure of a nineteen year old), upper right quadrant pain. You name the symptom I had it. This apparantly was indicative at the time of someone who was gonna clear.
Thing is I know that I may have to eventually have to accept that I have this for good, but I am enjoying my 'stay of execution' just now and am simply not going to give up YET.
Thanks for good info tho. Always good to have you all as sounding boards.
Brit
Well I went to doc today and my results are:
HBV DNA <9
Range: 9 - 4000 000 000.
Peteshine, I was diagnosed as acute almost 9 months ago now. And I still have signs of it still being acute. Doc thinks it may have something to do with being diabetic and that my immune system is taking longer to clear out. Without medication I have been able to:
1. Reduce HBsAg from 2000 to 0.1
2. Reduce all LFTs to normal levels
3. Seroconvert from HBe antigen +ve to Anti-HBe positive.
4. Reduce HBV DNA from millions to under 9.
I am curious about what now I need to be asking in order to find out if I am gonna get this out, but in short I did get my HBV DNA down from 14000 to under 9 in just 3 weeks. Is this good sign?
Yeah I thought also that the HBe antigen thing and HBe antibody serocoversion thing indicated chronic too but I am so confued I have lost the will to understand it all. The thing is that I still have my IgM antibody along with the IgG too. That according to my specialist is the bit that he doesn't fully understand and so has decided to put me on Tenofovir which I have done for 2 weeks now in the hope that it will flush out the last bits of virus that the immune system is having difficult with. And then MAYBE my antibodies will appear...
So then, does under 9 not mean 0? Or would it specifically say 0?
I also had quite severe symptoms 9 months back with jaundice, vomiting, itching, severe weight loss (god I was so gorgeously thin...figure of a nineteen year old), upper right quadrant pain. You name the symptom I had it. This apparantly was indicative at the time of someone who was gonna clear.
Thing is I know that I may have to eventually have to accept that I have this for good, but I am enjoying my 'stay of execution' just now and am simply not going to give up YET.
Thanks for good info tho. Always good to have you all as sounding boards.
Brit
HBV DNA shows viral activity (replication). For acute cases, it starts off low, then peaks to very high, then low, then UND and eventual clearance (for most adults). For chronic, it could be low or UND (inactive chronic), or it could be in the hundreds of millions (active).
And for the record, most of the receptionist at private MD offices are totally hot. I think it's the second question after "name" on the employment application. "Are you totally hot" ____Yes ____No.
As opposed to the DMV application: Are you bitter and angry: ____Yes ____Yes
And for the record, most of the receptionist at private MD offices are totally hot. I think it's the second question after "name" on the employment application. "Are you totally hot" ____Yes ____No.
As opposed to the DMV application: Are you bitter and angry: ____Yes ____Yes
Glad to hear a fellow Brit going thru this 9in the nicest way possible).... yes i agree the NHS (receptionist) can be slightly cold but look at our weather man... Nothing to be happy about except that thanks to the good ole' NHS we get our medication for free.
Firstly, if your results are 9.0IU/ML it is still detectable. A couple weeks ago I myself asked Steven and Cajim this very same question and was advised that different measurements suggested different results. Meaning in some areas UND equates to anything lower than say 10IU/ML. however, having chatted to my hepitologist in Bournemouth i was told UND means zero so i'd imagine it is still detectable.
The jump from 14,000 IU/ML to 9,000 000IU/ML is pretty much impossible (i might be wrong) but unless you had these two different testst done months/years apart i can't see how that would happen. Altho in my case, i was in the millions after going thru the biopsy procedure, going onto interferon and a year later was told my VL was only 132IU/Ml... That in itself is quite a magnificent jump down so i guess anything is possible. What dya all think?
Finally a patient with HBe antigen -ve and HBe antobody+ (like myself) normally indicates a healthy carrier meaning the virus is still there but not doing a whole lot of damage.
Are you on medication now? I would agree that a biopsy is a good way forward....
Firstly, if your results are 9.0IU/ML it is still detectable. A couple weeks ago I myself asked Steven and Cajim this very same question and was advised that different measurements suggested different results. Meaning in some areas UND equates to anything lower than say 10IU/ML. however, having chatted to my hepitologist in Bournemouth i was told UND means zero so i'd imagine it is still detectable.
The jump from 14,000 IU/ML to 9,000 000IU/ML is pretty much impossible (i might be wrong) but unless you had these two different testst done months/years apart i can't see how that would happen. Altho in my case, i was in the millions after going thru the biopsy procedure, going onto interferon and a year later was told my VL was only 132IU/Ml... That in itself is quite a magnificent jump down so i guess anything is possible. What dya all think?
Finally a patient with HBe antigen -ve and HBe antobody+ (like myself) normally indicates a healthy carrier meaning the virus is still there but not doing a whole lot of damage.
Are you on medication now? I would agree that a biopsy is a good way forward....
Ok quick question. If you have HBV DNA present in blood does that mean you are chronic? Or would an acute person have evidence of HBV DNA too? I am looking at comments by a doc on another site where he tells individuals with low levels of HBV DNA that they are most likely chronic because they have low level of this? Plz someone explain. I thought HBV DNA was in everyone and that acutes just got down to zero with it? Am I wrong?
Thanks
Brit
Thanks
Brit
Yeah I am gonna go with your thought on thisone at lteast til I see my doc on Monday. I mean a count of 9million would be written totally different too would it not? I don't think they write it out with 6 zeros. Oh Gawd I don't know...... I am fed up trying to guess what she meant.
In UK medical receptionists have always been quite harsh with patients asking a series of questions befrore they give you an appointment. Altho' most nowadays have gotten friendlier, there are unfortuantely some of the 'old school' nasties left. HOWEVER, in the case of yourself my dear Zelly, you are not only gorgeous to look at, I am sure, but also a gorgeous person on the inside. Perhaps you might like to come over to UK and run a training programme for our old dears who won't let you past the doctor's door. LOL
Brit
In UK medical receptionists have always been quite harsh with patients asking a series of questions befrore they give you an appointment. Altho' most nowadays have gotten friendlier, there are unfortuantely some of the 'old school' nasties left. HOWEVER, in the case of yourself my dear Zelly, you are not only gorgeous to look at, I am sure, but also a gorgeous person on the inside. Perhaps you might like to come over to UK and run a training programme for our old dears who won't let you past the doctor's door. LOL
Brit
I'm going to go with her being completely wrong from beginning to end and just holding tight until you see the doc. Viral load fluctuations can be pretty wild but there's just no way to be sure.
As I used to be a medical receptionist I like to think that medical receptionists in the US tend to be not only very warm and caring but also gorgeous and brilliant. JMHO. ;-)
As I used to be a medical receptionist I like to think that medical receptionists in the US tend to be not only very warm and caring but also gorgeous and brilliant. JMHO. ;-)
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah, I have similar concerns re British doctors receptionists.
You could walk in with a spear going in one ear and out the other and they would still treat you like an idiot and make you explain why you are wasting their valuable time and want to bother the nice doctor. I could go on but I won't.
Enjoy the weekend, relax, and come monday get those results, (and don't forget to have a go to the Doc about the lack of professionalism of the fascist receptionist he employs (bet she has a tash)
Col
You could walk in with a spear going in one ear and out the other and they would still treat you like an idiot and make you explain why you are wasting their valuable time and want to bother the nice doctor. I could go on but I won't.
Enjoy the weekend, relax, and come monday get those results, (and don't forget to have a go to the Doc about the lack of professionalism of the fascist receptionist he employs (bet she has a tash)
Col
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Hepatitis B Community
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
