Aa
Went to the Gastro Dr today
The appt seemed to be more than what I expected.
He doesn't want to do a liver biopsy until next spring, in the mean time I have to go for an ultrasound and more blood work this thursday, I'm guessing a RIBA/Elise test?? THn a Liver profile test again in January.He felt the liver region and said my liver seems to be it's normal size, is this a way of telling any type of inflammation?
He told me even though my body produced antibodies to HEP C does not mean I can get rid of the virus on my own. Hep C is a much stronger virus than A and B which can be cleared by antibodies, where C will stay with you until treated. I thought in some cases that if you produced antibodies for HEP C that it can be a past infection where the immune system through it off??
All my blood work is normal from my latest test, even my ALT's and AST's. My blood test this thursday will determine what Genotype I am and my viral load.
After these results is a good idea to get a second opinion? I wanted to try to set up an appt in Boston with another Gastro Dr since I'm only 30 minutes away.
Thanks
He doesn't want to do a liver biopsy until next spring, in the mean time I have to go for an ultrasound and more blood work this thursday, I'm guessing a RIBA/Elise test?? THn a Liver profile test again in January.He felt the liver region and said my liver seems to be it's normal size, is this a way of telling any type of inflammation?
He told me even though my body produced antibodies to HEP C does not mean I can get rid of the virus on my own. Hep C is a much stronger virus than A and B which can be cleared by antibodies, where C will stay with you until treated. I thought in some cases that if you produced antibodies for HEP C that it can be a past infection where the immune system through it off??
All my blood work is normal from my latest test, even my ALT's and AST's. My blood test this thursday will determine what Genotype I am and my viral load.
After these results is a good idea to get a second opinion? I wanted to try to set up an appt in Boston with another Gastro Dr since I'm only 30 minutes away.
Thanks
I've read several papers that say about 40% of those exposed to hcv fight off the virus naturally. If you have antibodies, you could have an active infection or have fought it off sometime in the past. You'll need a PCR or similar test to find if you have any active virus.
Things happened kinda backwards in my case. I already had a positive diagnosis with genotype and VL the first time I saw a hepetologist. I was dead lucky to have a terrific primary who suspected then confirmed the diagnosis.
The hepetologist required several ultrasound examinations:
- Upper abdominal [to assess liver size and to provide a guide for BX]
- Gall bladder series
- Prostate series
Then the BX, and more blood work before he had enough data to recommend treatment options. He was pretty realistic about the TX, but probably didn't do justice to the potential SX.
Don't be surprised if there are more tests in your future, before discussing treatment options.
The hepetologist required several ultrasound examinations:
- Upper abdominal [to assess liver size and to provide a guide for BX]
- Gall bladder series
- Prostate series
Then the BX, and more blood work before he had enough data to recommend treatment options. He was pretty realistic about the TX, but probably didn't do justice to the potential SX.
Don't be surprised if there are more tests in your future, before discussing treatment options.
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