Hbsag dropped from 5060 to 4900. Is this a good sign?

[Mrr49]

Chronic carrier probably 45/50yrs. Age 67yrs old. Hbvdna never higher than 500. Hbsag quantitive was on first test 5060, second test just done 4900.
E.ant neg
Anti hbe +
Hbvdna now 64, was 270 previous test. Since testing started 23 yrs ago never been higher than 500
Fibroscan 4.8, was 5.3 previous test.
Alt 36 was 37 previous test
Afp 1.3
Vit d level now 147.9 nmol/l was 127.4 nmol/l March 2016. Should I still take 10,000 iu/ml daily to help reduce hbvdna & will it have any affect on hbsag level?
What can I do to reduce hbsag level.
I have been on this forum before & been told I have nothing to be concerned about, even my doc says just annual checks for precautions only.
Do you agree & advise on hbsag level.

[Liverpatient]

Hi Mrr49, i don't want to disappoint you, but the change of hbsag from 5060 iu to 4900 seems to me quite insignificant, other than natural flactuation. As you wrote your hbv infection seems to be kept in control by your immune system for a long time; i hope it continues so, until we get an eventual cure for this disease. I think also it is wise of you to keep taking vitamin d3 supplement because it plays important role in strengthening our immune system. If you feel healthy and well, without any symptoms, nothing to worry about, just keep monitoring.

[Cabin3]

I'm assuming that you are not on any antivirals/treatment, right?

[Liverpatient]

Hi Cabin3, i knew about hbv infection more than a year ago, and i'm on monitoring, not yet decided to start with treatment. The doctors say i don't have to start with medicine yet, but me personally i feel lots of annoying symptoms like loss of appetite, general weakness and fatigue, aching muscles and joints, sleep disturbances, anxiety and depression, etc.

[Cabin3]

Do you think those symptoms can be due to other health related issues, like diet, arthritis,, low iron levels, etc.  I have mother who is chronic HBV as well and her HBV is under control without antivirals but she has Rheumatoid Arthritis and your symptoms seems to match hers.

[Liverpatient]

Hi Cabin3, thanks for the reply. Some of the issues i named have worsened after i was diagnosed with hbv, esp. those related with the muscles and joints. So i think they are related with my chronic hbv. Also my hemoglobin level is a bit higher than the lower range, but within the range. there are a lot types of arthritis, so may be i have to take a closer examination about it.

[luckyman316]

Liverpatient I had these same symptoms for almost a year when I first learned of mine. I then decided to start treatment and definitely upped my Vitamin D levels to 10,000 or sometimes 20,000 iu daily. Since then, it went away. It's possible that your chronic infection is active inside of you and the virus is now mutating. This happened to me, hence why I choice anti-virals. I do not regret this decision as it has made me feel a LOT better. Still wishing for a cure though!

[Liverpatient]

Hi luckyman316, thanks for replying; my problem is that though i feel a myriad of symptoms, the doctors keep saying i've to continue montoring. The various hbv tests doesn't fall under the circumstances where treatment is indicated in my case. But, yes, the fact that i've 2700iu viral load is indicative the hbv is indeed replicating in my body, and doing the damge. Also i'm 43 years old, meaning the virus has been attacking me for decades as i've most probably got this from birth or during early childhood.
If these symptoms keep on bothering me, i don't have any choice but to insist on starting treatment; i've that distant hope that these symptoms would be better or go away altogether the time i start to treat the disease.
question about vitd3: most of the vitd3 supplements come in capsules of 25 micrograms vitd3, which is 1000 iu.One has to take 10 such capsules for it to be 10000iu. Do you take this dose at once or do you divide it through the day? Thanks again.

[Bm2016]

the last time I was as dr's office, and heard the dr was saying something about if hbv since birth, in 60 years, the immune system might able to clear the virus on its own, but by then, the virus might have done a great damage to the liver, that was how I was treated as soon as my hbv dna viral as soon as the virus count sky rocks at about age 30.

I am not sure all these are just rumor, don't hold me or my dr accountable for it.

[Cabin3]

I've read an article about that states that as well but you are right, by that time some damage has been occurring and everyone is different and lifestyle is different.  It sounds like genotype c has a high rate of clearing after 60 years of HBV on its own.  It's risky but not impossible.  I have a mother that is 58 and her VL, ALT, AST low and normal but hasn't cleared yet and she has never been on any antivirals.  Didn't check of HBV AG or AB levels yet.  She is non drinker, non smoker, now has RA but that is due to unhealthy eating habits.

[sorte]

Some guidelines say normal alt for man is lower than 40 other that less than 30. I know nothing about the connection between RA and hbv so someone else needs to answer it.

[sorte]

that small change is meaningless. You've got great fibroscan result for your age :) most people without liver disease would have worse result, average is 5.7 as I remember. The only concern is ALT close norm.

[Cabin3]

Sorte: I'm trying to still understand results.  Can you explain why you are concern that his ALT is close to normal?  Isn't that a good thing?

[Jatashankar]

not significant