Great News From Hepatologist

Not a question, just a fly-by to share the good news and prove it's possible. Went to Dr for blood test results, and as of now, I am one of the mythical 20% who have achieved spontaneous clearing. Quantitative testing show NO viral load WITHOUT ANY TREATMENT......YAY!!! I

~Averagegeek

[jules2551]

What?  are you kidding me?  And what did your biopsy say?

[1oftheclub222]

So you came here in 2009 when you first found out you had this and just found out today you have cleared the virus all by your self?  why did it take so long to get these results?  if someone is going to clear the virus, doesn't it happen in the first 6 months?

[printze]

Good for you , that is rare

[kmatucson]

Wow.. I'm so happy for you.  That is incredible news.

[orphanedhawk]

How cool, congrats to you!

[jules2551]

Maybe I need Hep C for dummies...but this doesn't make sense.  How didi this happen?  Can you elaborate on test results?  Never heard of this

[willbb]

Management of Acute Hepatitis C Virus Infection

The identification of acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is complicated by the lack of symptoms during the acute phase in approximately 85% of cases.[Maheshwari 2008] Nonetheless, the importance of identifying acute hepatitis C early is underscored by the high likelihood of developing chronic infection (approximately 50% to 85%) if untreated and the high success rate of antiviral therapy in patients with acute infection. Factors that have been shown to be associated with spontaneous viral clearance in patients with acute infection include female sex,[Wang 2007] younger age,[Wietzke-Braun 2007] symptomatic disease,[Gerlach 2003] and HCV RNA clearance during the initial 4-5 weeks following the onset of symptoms.[Hofer 2003] Recently, a polymorphism near the IL28B gene has also been shown to be associated with spontaneous resolution of acute HCV infection. In an analysis of the IL28B rs12979860 single nucleotide polymorphism in 190 women with acute genotype 1b HCV infection acquired from a single source, spontaneous viral clearance occurred in 64% of patients with the CC genotype vs 24% of patients with the CT genotype and 6% of patients with the TT genotype (P < .001 for CC vs CT or TT).[Tillmann 2010] Among HIV-infected men, spontaneous clearance was predicted by a high CD4+ cell count, elevated alanine aminotransferase and bilirubin, and a rapid reduction in HCV RNA level.[Thomson 2011]

[willbb]

http://www.clinicaloptions.com/inpractice/hepatology/hepatology/ch8_mgmt_of_hep_c_infection/pages/page%201.aspx

[1oftheclub222]

I'm sorry, I am still confused, this article talks about the acute phase which is the first 6 months?  But it seems like averagegeek found out in 2009, wouldn't that make it chronic by now?

maybe i missed something, can we spontanously clear chronic hep?  Or maybe she cleared along time ago?  or maybe never tested VL till now?  I'm so confused!

[nygirl7]

In the olden days we would Ask if you were an Eskimo. Other than that one tribe I have never heard of clearing after six months ;)

Maybe you meant you were diagnosed, didn't follow up right away and now you just found out?

Great news regardless just a bunch of curiazz nosey bodies here.

Sorry this iPad has whacked spell check!

[1oftheclub222]

yes, great news regardless, I'm just still learning about this disease...so much to learn :).

[willbb]

Oh...I didn't read her profile..when I saw the post I just assumed she had an acute HCV infection and was one of the lucky 15 -25 %  to spontaneously clear.

The Op will have to explain  about how that all worked out...

Will

[willbb]

Maybe she is one of these very rare cases:

http://www.arabgastro.com/article/PIIS168719791100013X/fulltext

Abstract
Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is variably prevalent around the world and is usually a blood-borne infection. Most patients will have subclinical infection at the onset, but patients who develop acute hepatitis can spontaneously clear the virus upon immune activation. Up to 80% of CHC patients will progress to chronic infection. CHC is unlikely to clear spontaneously. This article describes two female patients with transfusion-acquired CHC diagnosed by both positive hepatitis C virus (HCV)-Ab and hepatitis C virus–polymerase chain reaction (HCV–PCR) tests. Both patients cleared the infection spontaneously after more than 5 and 25years of CHC infection, respectively.

[jules2551]

I am totally lost here..this doesn't make sense

[1oftheclub222]

That is very cool..wish they could figure out how that all works!

[willbb]

these are very very rare cases and if you read the article ,it explains the chronological events for both patients..

Will

[virt111]

Congratulations!  You have to donate some of your DNA to science.  Maybe they can use it to help unlock the HCV code.

[belle19]

congrats!  belle

[averagegeek]

2009: routine liver function test because of hepatoxic meds for various disorders. Result: Pos Hep C antibody. Referral

2009: GI Dr. double checks antibodies, looks for VR and RNA type. Result, pos. antibody, VR 561 (not a typo) Lab result for RNA= "Not enough material to test for RNA typing."

2009: Liver Bx: Stage 2 damage with mild fibrosis.

2010; Acquire new Dr because of relocation. Another pos. antibody result. New Dr is called back to National Guard. Referred to his colleague.

2011: Hepatolohgist. New antibody test, new VR test, New RNA test. Reschedule in 6 mos. for results and start treatment.

2012: Same hepatologist. Results: Pos. Antibody, Neg VR, Neg RNA, Neg qualitative, neg quantitative. VERDICT: Spontaneous clearance.

Date contracted best guess: Last tattoo of 13, about 4 yrs ago. no history of iv drugs, no history of sharing straws, Pos history of donating blood plasma.

[averagegeek]

apparently there's still hope beyond 6 mos.

[averagegeek]

Bx showed liver damage that could have come from 15 yrs. of using NSAIDs, or any of the other 15 meds I take a day.

[jules2551]

oh this is great news!  good job sweets

[averagegeek]

I'd love to help further research. Any idea how and where to donate? I live in Michigan.

[candyce1953]

Wow u r an inspiration is right and should contact maybe national institute of health in DC for your DNA

Just curious what your vitamin D levels are and if you have been taking supplements
Thank you C