HBV RESULTS, CONFUSED AND DISTRESS

[MILOSMYNAME]

I started feeling sick after consuming too much alcohol one night. I felt like if I had the flu.  I decided to go see a Dr.  She tested me for HBV and my results came back positive.  I was referred to a Gastroenterologist, He order me so many blood tests, ultrasounds and a biopsy within 6 mos. from the date I was diagnose. I started studying the Virus and found out many things were not consistent of what the Dr. should have been doing.  So I decided to retrieve my results from the Dr. to get a second opinion. I have to wait two months for the appointment due to insurance issues. Here are my results: HEPATITIS B SURFACE ANTIGEN WITH CONFIRMATION (HEP. B SURFACE ANTIGEN) NON-REACTIVE,          HEPATITIS B CORE IGM (ANTIBODY) REACTIVE            HEPATITIS B SURFACE ANTIBODY(QUANTITY) 305 mIU/mL     after that is says on my results : PATIENT HAS IMMUNITY TO HEPATITIS B VIRUS,     HEPATITIS  B E ANTIGEN NON-REACTIVE.    That makes me believe that I fought the Virus and got rid of it, I just have the antibodies for life!!! but my doctor tells me that I'm a Lifelong Carrier, Is that true?  That is the reason to get a second opinion, Could anybody tell help with with this results? Am I misinterpreting the results? Should I wait?

[zellyf]

Go to a new doctor.  There's no urgency.  That is, it doesn't have to be tomorrow.  It looks for all the world like you had an acute case and cleared it but follow up with a new physician in the next month or so.

[MILOSMYNAME]

Thank you guys for such an early responce!!! Its awesome that there's a community that really cares about educating and helping others about their issues..

to the earlier post, I have been seeing a gastro!!! but I just realize that he's been out of school since late 80"s and he went to school in damascus!!!

I been so upset!!! this is not fair, that a doctor (someone you should trust) can not provide you with an answer. I don't know if I should wait a couple of months to see if anything changes in my blood. and then get a second opinion, or if I should take this results to a different gastro or even a Hepatologist right away?

According to what I last talked to my gastro, he said I was a carrier! WHAT SHOULD I DO?

[cajim]

Two thirds of the docs don't know how to read results!  Frightening!

Self-education is so important!

[zellyf]

Yeah.  This confuses me.  If you are surface antigen non-reactive then you DO NOT have Hep B.  Why did your doc decide you were a carrier??  You need to find out.

[NashPred]

Ok, I found the article. It is really related to misdiagnosing HCV, but since HBV is even harder to understand, I would imagine that HBV is misdiagnosed by general doctors at an even higher rate. Here is a link to the article:

http://tinyurl.com/6fu8yv

[NashPred]

I had read an article somewhere that stated that 1/3 of General Doctors (PCP's) are not sure how to interpret hepatitis test results....so it's not that uncommon to initally receive a misdiagnoses.

I wish I could find that article again. I had seen it on the HCV board a few months ago but can't find it now.

Your Gastro doctor should be able to clear this up for ya and I agree with you and cajim that it looks like you have fought the virus off on you own and are now immune.

[cajim]

but my doctor tells me that I'm a Lifelong Carrier, Is that true?

--Not true.  You are right: "That makes me believe that I fought the Virus and got rid of it."

Are you sure your doctor could make such a mistake?