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Dr. didn't run HCV antibody test but ran liver enzyme test?
Hello all, i was worried that I had hepatitis c because i'm kinda anal, so i went and talked to my doctor about it. He specifically told me he wouldn't run an HCV antibody test but rather a liver enzyme test. Is there a reason for this? He's considered one of the best doctors in the state and i don't know much about hepatitis c so i didn't contest his advice.
I got my results back and my livery enzymes (ast/alt) and all other tests were perfect, just curious why he'd go this route. Thanks!
I got my results back and my livery enzymes (ast/alt) and all other tests were perfect, just curious why he'd go this route. Thanks!
Alright, thanks. I really do doubt I have it, but it is a peace of mind thing. So that is the best way to figure out where to get tested in my city?
Gosh, really wish my doctor would have just done this damned test...would've saved me a lot of time.
Gosh, really wish my doctor would have just done this damned test...would've saved me a lot of time.
Call the Public Health Dept. in your area and see if they can test you or refer you to a place that tests free or cheaply.
You snorted cocaine only once (it appears) and, although you could get Hep C by doing it only once, one time users would have less of an overall chance of getting Hep C (simply by being exposed less often to possibly infected blood).
Also, Hep C progresses slowly, over decades, so delaying testing until you are better off financially is an option. I would assume that for your own peace of mind you would not want to delay it indefinitely.
But, see if the Public Health Dept. in your area can do the test or refer you to an inexpensive or free clinic that will do the test. Be sure to tell them you did snort cocaine and share a straw so they know you are at risk.
You snorted cocaine only once (it appears) and, although you could get Hep C by doing it only once, one time users would have less of an overall chance of getting Hep C (simply by being exposed less often to possibly infected blood).
Also, Hep C progresses slowly, over decades, so delaying testing until you are better off financially is an option. I would assume that for your own peace of mind you would not want to delay it indefinitely.
But, see if the Public Health Dept. in your area can do the test or refer you to an inexpensive or free clinic that will do the test. Be sure to tell them you did snort cocaine and share a straw so they know you are at risk.
Ugh, great. Now i'm not even sure what to do. My whole family thinks i'm crazy (i probably am) lol. Wtf did I even go to the doctor for then? What a waste. It ***** because i was hoping to make this a one off thing and i really dont have a lot of money, so going from doctor to doctor isnt really an option. I may just donate blood or go to a doctor in a few months.Other than that i dont really know what to do.
I really wish I could edit posts. Anyway, how good are liver enzyme tests at providing evidence for hepatitis c?
Also, thanks for the reply, and I appreciate more help. I'm a little annoyed he didn't just run that test to assuage my fears since thats the only reason I went in.
I told him I read on the Internet that hep c can be transmitted by using someone else's straw for cocaine. I did this once but never again and don't plan on it since it didn't do anything. He said it couldn't be transmitted that way unless there was blood but I've read on the Internet it can, so I was concerned.
It was a while ago (8+ moths ago) and I guess my liver test was fine so I think I'm alright lol, I just got nervous. Though I've heard people with hep c can have normal liver enzyme levels but it's not likely.
It was a while ago (8+ moths ago) and I guess my liver test was fine so I think I'm alright lol, I just got nervous. Though I've heard people with hep c can have normal liver enzyme levels but it's not likely.
Possibly the doctor only ran the LFT as "being anal " is not one of the documented risk factors for contracting HCV.
You don't mention why you were worried about having HCV. If you have not been nexposed to HCV blood and it by some means got into your blood stream there is no chance of transmission.
Having said that there are people who have HCV ,that have no idea how it was contracted (possibly unsafe medical practices and high risk sex(especially if blood is involved ) too name a couple of rare but possible means and the CDC is now considering more wide spead testing for HCV.
So it would never hurt to have the antibodies tests as precaution for everyone IMO. It is quick ,painless and inexpensive....
Best to you...
Will
You don't mention why you were worried about having HCV. If you have not been nexposed to HCV blood and it by some means got into your blood stream there is no chance of transmission.
Having said that there are people who have HCV ,that have no idea how it was contracted (possibly unsafe medical practices and high risk sex(especially if blood is involved ) too name a couple of rare but possible means and the CDC is now considering more wide spead testing for HCV.
So it would never hurt to have the antibodies tests as precaution for everyone IMO. It is quick ,painless and inexpensive....
Best to you...
Will
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Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
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They can be perfectly normal and yet a person may have had Hep C for 20, 30, 40 years and may also have fibrosis of the liver.
My liver enzymes were normal until recently and then they were only slightly elevated. I have had Hep C for 30 to 37 years.
If you are concerned, and I would be if I were you, then go to another doctor and have him/her order the test.
Hep C can be transmitted via snorting cocaine through a straw. Cocaine irritates the nasal passages causing bleeding, even if it is not noticeable bleeding. When straws are passed around, if someone's minute particle of blood (wet of dry) got on the tip of the straw and you inserted that tip into your nose and then snorted, then you could also get Hep C because the minute particles of blood on the tip of the straw would be snorted into your nose and because your nose may be bleeding too, even if not noticeable to the naked eye.
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/providers/program/hepc/hepc_pdf/hepc_assess_e.pdf
"Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Cocaine Users: A Silent Epidemic; study suggests snorting cocaine is transmission risk "
Source: Medical College of Wisconsin
"The study screened cocaine users who volunteered for a study of how the brain reacts to cocaine. Of the 144 people screened, 47 were found to have Hepatitis C, while only seven tested positive for Hepatitis B and only two for HIV. "
http://www.natap.org/2004/HCV/080304_01.htm
From: The C. Everett Koop Institute • Dartmouth Medical School • Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center • Dartmouth College
"Cocaine users have also been shown to transmit the virus by sharing snorting straws. "
http://www.epidemic.org/theFacts/hepatitisC/transmission/