monitoring

[leica]

I have Hepa B in 1995, that year the screening shows im HBe Ag -Reactive;  Hbs Ag -Non reactive.

This year 2008, I had a series of laboratory, the result shows HBe Ag -Non Reactive;  Hbs Ag - Reactive;  Anti HBe - Reactive;  Anti HBs - Non reactive ( all test are done through ECLIA method), dont know what it is. Alpha feto Protein  2.000 IU/ml;  Anti HCV - GRAYZONE.  Im waiting for the result of HBV DNA.  My liver, pancreas, gallbladder and bilary duct Ultrasound are normal.
I tried many herbal plant this past years.
Am I improving or worsening?    

  

[leica]

  thanks for the facts. This forum helps me really to understand this monster invading my system.

[leica]

thanks, yes.  I will try to keep you informed.

[stevenNYer]

I agree with Zelly.

I would also ask to test ALT and DNA every 3 months to really see what's happening.

Keep us informed.

[zellyf]

The DNA is a little high for someone who is e-antigen negative.  This could indicate that the virus has escaped your body's immune control and your doctor might want to start you on treatment to suppress the viral replication.  Did you speak to him/her?

[leica]

hi everyone!  I Just got my Hbv DNA today. It says

Result:  511608 copies/ml
              87905 UI/ml
Interpretation:  Method used has a theoretical limit of detection of 12 UI/ml of plasma i.e. about 70 HVB-DNA copies of (1.8 log).  The linearity scale extends up to 110000000 UI/ml i.e. about 640 million copies (8.8 log).  Quantification is homogenous for all HBV genotypes tested.

SGPT/ALT   10.20  U/L    F:  5-31
SGOT/AST   34.55 U/L    F:  5-31
AFP             2.000IU/ml

     PLease explain me the HBV DNA.   Thanks.

[zellyf]

There is no such thing as a non-infectious carrier.  A carrier has active virus.  The so-called "inactive carrier" is miseleading.  All carriers have active virus although many have the virus at very low levels.

If you have been surface antigen positive for more than 6 months then you are indeed a chronic carrier.

Like cajim said, we are not doctors.  You still need to consult your MD.

[cajim]

Only your doctor can give you a definite answer.  Please understand.

[leica]

so it means, im infectious and carrier at the same time?  Please I want a definite answer.

[cajim]

Please confirm what your husband said with another doctor.

Hbs Ag - Reactive =  Testing positive for this antigen means you can easily pass the virus to others.
Anti HBs - Non reactive = you do not have antibodies to HBV
Alpha feto Protein  2.000 IU/ml.  High blood levels of this protein may sometimes be a sign of liver cancer.

[leica]

am I infectious?  a carrier?

[leica]

thanks for the facts.  My husband was vaccinated after I told him my condition, but before doing that he consult to a gastroenterologist. He says all the laboratory result are okay.

[zellyf]

"I have Hepa B in 1995, that year the screening shows im HBe Ag -Reactive;  Hbs Ag -Non reactive."

e-antigen is a protein that attaches itself to the virus.  When you are reactive that means you are positive for it (you have it).  When you lose it, you are non-reactive, and you are less infectious.  It is good to lose the e-antigen.

What I don't understand is that it says you are Hbs Ag - Non-reactive...that would mean you didn't have Hep B.  That can't be right.

"This year 2008, I had a series of laboratory, the result shows HBe Ag -Non Reactive;  Hbs Ag - Reactive;  Anti HBe - Reactive;  Anti HBs - Non reactive"

You have now lost the e-antigen.  Good.  The antibodies aren't that important when the surface antigen is positive.

"Alpha feto Protein  2.000 IU/ml"

This is a tumor marker that is sometimes helpful.  Yours is rock normal.  No problem.

"Anti HCV - GRAYZONE"

Don't understand that one.

"My liver, pancreas, gallbladder and bilary duct Ultrasound are normal. "

That's good but ultrasound can miss a lot and is not considered as reliable as a biopsy.  

You need DNA and liver function panel including ALT & AST.  

In Asia, its very common to be infected at birth or during early childhood.  Has your husband been vaccinated?

[leica]

what is antigen?  How can I know it from those test?

[leica]

       thanks Meiki!  I am delighted to knew there is a forum like this.  Its very hard to discuss it with those people who dont really have it.  Here, in the Philippines, Having Hepa is already a discrimination against the affected person,  in jobs and community, everywhere.
       Im not sexually active, I had only 2 relationships, first in 1993 with my 1st boyfriend and now, to my husband, who understands and accepts me despite my situation.  I had my first sexual experience to my first boyfriend and now, to my husband.  After knowing it in 1995, we confide to a general doctor, she suggest to give me HEp Big, so I get vaccined 3 doses in 3 consecutive months.  After each month, the screening didnt change, Im still hepa person.  after that I didnt take any medication, because the doctors says, there is no really medicines for hepa, all are just experimental.  
     We are only middle class family, I had no jobs.  We cannot afford to buy those expensive experimental drug available in the market.  I just rely on herbal plants when I heard one.
      I only got married last year because i found the man who really understand me, aside of fear, to have relationship having hepa Im scared.  He was an australian man.  Now he is sponsoring me, in going to Australia,  The embassy required me for medical,
I tell the truth so they require me to take a complete laboratory profile of hepa, so I done it.  From that, I gather the information I stated here in the forum.

      What is HBeAg?  HBsAg?  The Hepa antibodies?  Do I have this?,  based on my recently test.  I dont know really all of this,  Im really scared of my life now, I want to live long for my starting family, but dont know how?

[zellyf]

Is it possible you got it at birth?  

I'm not sure it makes sense that you were e-antigen reactive but surface antigen non-reactive in 1993.  Is that what you meant to type?

[leica]

hi zellyf!  thanks for  the attention, I dont really know, how I got it.  I just remember that I am asthmatic before prior this illness.  During this asthmatic period I taken steroids many times prescribed by hospital maybe for 3 years.  I knew it in 1993 during medical test, when Im applying for a job.

[zellyf]

I'm hoping you aren't going 13 years b/n labs. I'm confused about being surface antigen non-reactive in 1995.  Did you have an acute infection that became chronic?  When did you get infected?

[meki]

Wait --- You know what --- I only read that one part about
Hbs Ag - Reactive;  Anti HBe - Reactive

I didn't see this part:

Anti HBs - Non reactive

Uhmmm that's a bit confusing for me...

Steven?

[meki]

I would say that you couldn't tell whether you were improving or worsening with just those test scores.

I also would say that you are now reactive - which means that you have active HEP B.

I'm not a HepB person - but wanted you to know that Steven or Zelly or Cajim (or one of the other great HEP B personnel) will be over here shortly to help you out more in depth than I can.

I don't know about the HCV Grayzone part. That has me scratching my head.

Steven? Zelly?