Husband diagnosed

Hi all, My husband was diagnosed about 2 months ago with Hep C. We have an appt. in Aug and we finally received his lab test via fax.  The doctor told us he was tested positive then walked out of the room.  We have a lot of questions and I don't undestand most of the test results.

BUN 20
CREATINENE 1.0
GFR EST   >60
SODIUM 138
POTASSIUM 4.7
CHLORIDE 100
CO2 29
CALCIUM 9.0
TOTAL PROTEIN 7.5
ALUBUMIN 3.7
BILIRUBIN, TOT 0.8
AST 109
ALT 130
ALTP 96

CREATININE, RANDOM 94.1
MICROALBUMIN, RANDOM <2.0
MICROALB/CREA RATION NCAL

MENOGLOBIN A1C % 6.0

We are also not understanding the Hep A and B. Looks like it's positive. Says, Hep B Surface AB H 402.0  Thats high right?  Ref. range is 0.0 to 8.9 Does that mean he has Hep B also?  But then at the bottom of the page it says Hep B Surface AG Negative.

Hep C AB
HCVAB RFLX RIBA   H 80.0

I've been trying to study up on this but don't really know what I'm looking at. It's pretty mind boggling.  I was shocked at the time but have come to grips with it. My husband suspected it since he was an IV drug user in the 80s although he's had at least 4 surgeries before the 90's, so he only suspects how he got it.  Also, would I need to get tested too?  We haven't had a sexual relationship in 7 years due to impotency problems.  I know this is tmi but I need some answers and this seems like a good place to start.  Thanks to all.

[Bill1954]

Don’t feel bad; hepatitis test results can be complicated as h3ll to interpret, particularly Hep B (HBV).

Just so you are aware; there are no doctors present here- mostly patients that are dealing primarily with Hep C (HCV).

In regards to your husband’s HBV results, it appears that he is probably immune due to either vaccination or prior infection; some data is missing, and I’m not proficient at HBV interpretation anyway. You might want to look at the following page:

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/b/faqb.htm

Scroll to the bottom of the page and review the table titled “Interpretation of the Hepatitis B Panel”.

In regards to his HCV diagnosis, it appears he has tested positive for the presence of antibodies. This tells us that he was indeed infected at one time; keep in mind, however, that about 20% of people that are exposed to HCV will clear the active virus with their own immune system. They will always test positive for HCV antibodies, but not the active virus. This scenario does not present a problem.

However, his liver enzymes are elevated (AST 109, ALT 130). This, combined with a high positive for antibodies, is indicative of active infection. The possibility remains that he has other problems not related to HCV (fatty liver, NASH, etc) as a parallel process, but his enzymes are elevated in range with viral hepatitis.

We need a confirmatory test performed, generically known as a PCR test. This will indicate conclusively whether he is actively infected with HCV. The test you are looking for will be called “Serum HCV RNA”. Until you have these results, your husband should not be diagnosed as HCV positive.

A really good site you might want to take a look at is Janis and Friends; this is a site dedicated to all things HCV, with more info than most folks can stand ;-o. Here’s the addy:

http://janis7hepc.com/

Scroll down and click on “just diagnosed” in the blue box, or any other topic that interests you. Hopefully, this site will remove some of the confusion for you.

Welcome to our discussion group, by the way; there are a lot of well informed folks here that have become quite intimate with this disease and it’s intricacies that are more than willing to help with education and support. Feel free to continue to ask questions, and someone will try to answer them. In the mean time, read the info at Janis and Friends, and stay in touch.

Take care,

Bill

[Bill1954]

I almost forgot; HCV is not readily transmmitted sexually; the Center fro Disease Control does not recommend for or against barrier contraceptives for monagomous couples, and doesn't recognize this as a STD. However, get tested for peace of mind. I was married for 20 years, have 2 children and despite our best efforts, no one in this relationship outside of myself became infected.

Again, take good care,

Bill

[Alady1620]

you need to get tested for hep B & C.

I'm sorry I cant help you interpret the numbers other than to say his liver enzymes look elevated to me.

[hitherdither]

Thanks Bill and Alady,  I went on the site and it does explain a lot.  He has to take more tests when we go back next week and I guess that will tell us more too.  I just hope we can pin the dr. down to ask some questions.  I do understand that this is something that can be handled but not cured.  The more I learn the more we feel better about thanks to people like ya'll.  Thank you for then info.  I'll be in touch.

[meki]

Permanently handled... LOL!

SVR -- sustained virologic response...

Not too many people turn around from that. It is a "cure" --- but it only lasts for 150 years.

*grin*

Hang in there - life is going to get hard... But it's ok..

As far as sexual contact w/ HCV --- I am married - had wild monkey sex every day of the month - have had a baby --- bled all over the place including a car wreck - (I draw the line at sharing toothbrushes) but I did share razors --- etc... And no one but me has HCV.

I wouldn't panic --- but it's possible -- just not probable.

As far as the impotency issues --- tell him he better get uhmm... well busy --- he isn't the only person that can "feel good"... LOL! 7 years and he better be taking care of you... Even if he can't --- you can!

And as far as where he got it --- it doesn't really matter.

Things you'll need to know before he decides to treat:

His GenoType --- that matters for the duration of the treatment...
His Viral Load ---- To see where he stands / how much virus
How much damage.... (the biggest decider)

If he does treat - be prepared to have a completely different person during the treatment and for a little while after. TX is super hard on a person... But it can be done... and you can be cured - they just haven't had enough data to make sure of that yet.

Meki