test results

[Halobabe]

I got a letter from the Red Cross that I couldn't donate blood anymore.  I went to my gen prac and he did further testing and due to the results is sending me to a liver specialist.  

Here are the results:

Hep B surface Ab 35.8H mIU/mL
Hep Surface Ag is Neg
Hep Be Ag is Neg
Hep Be Ab is Negative
Hep B Core Ab, Tot Neg

What is going on?  My liver specialist has called my insurance company asking about my benefits for a liver transplant and I haven't even seen him yet!  Are these really bad test results?  It's freaking me out.  A few years ago my husband was diagnosed with an enlarged liver due to some blood tests, but no followup.  He doesn't drink nor is overweight.  He says I probably got it from donating blood and plasmaphoresis donation...is this possible?

[Halobabe]

Thanx for the input.  I go to the liver specialist this Friday, Sept. 3rd., ironically, what would've been my Dad's 87th birthday (died last Dec.) I'll keep you posted.  Alas, life goes on...remember though, "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away"

[ts2010]

You can try this link for some info:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/b/

You really do need to see an experienced doctor to intrepet your test results but from what I see having an Ag negative means that you are not presently infected.

However I am not a doctor.

[Galen]

Nope, there is no other HBV forum here.  This site was set up for all Hep patients but chronic HCV patients vastly outnumber those with HBV.  There are a few here who are knowledgable about HBV and I am sure will head you in the right direction.

[kennedge]

there is another section of this forum for hep b..just dig around in the site map and or post your question to the hep b forum...i don't know anything about hep b but please research....i'm sure you can find something on the web related to your tests...and call your dr office and ask why they are inquiring about transplant benefits..might be just a misunderstanding somewhere

best to you

[mythoughts]

I, too have just gotten dx with both Hep B & C, although I do not have my levels checked yet. I'm pretty darn sure that your results means that you are chronically infected with Hep B. I'm very bummed that there is little to no info here about Hep B, although this site is useful for me having both.

Hep B can lead to liver Cancer, or, you could live a normal life. It is very similir to 'C' in that you'll need to get your viral loads checked, have a liver biopsy & consider Interferon tx. Your doctor certainly jumped the gun by calling to see about transplant benefits w/out talking to you & having done a liver biopsy yet. First, it breeds stress & fear, which are both huge no-nos for your liver. Second, there is an excellent chance that you will never need a transplant. The doctor is probably just looking into it for you so they can possibly advise you to find a company that offers more coverage BEFORE you have liver disease. Just b/c you have Hepatitis doesn't mean that you have liver disease.........and you can switch carriers while you can still 'honestly' answer "no" to that question.

I need to meet folks who also have Hep B. I'd love to chat, but don't wanna post my private email with my full name online. If you have an email address & want to chat, let me know.

[DonL]

This is a patient-to-patient forum, but others will stop by who can help you better interpret your results. I do not think you got Hep B from donating blood. Unless you were in some third world setup which reused needles or something equally unsavory, you should have had sterile equipment and people who knew how to maintain a sterile field.