When I came here in 2002 I knew nothing. This place truly saved my life. There were really brilliant people here who taught me so much and got me headed in the right direction. So I try to treat others like I was treated. That's about all any of us can do.
If you do not see antibodies to HCV at 3 months I would relax about Hep C.
I could research the Hep B question but off hand I don't know the answer. Hep B is just a different animal and thankfully I have never had to deal with it. I know that it behaves differently than HCV but beyond that I don't know much. My basic understanding is that the antigens which are initially detectable disappear and then they test for antibodies to a different antigen. I would assume that your doctor knows this stuff and has tested you correctly but I have also learned that people do make mistakes and I trust almost no one these days. I try to verify everything I am told.
I'm sure you know about liver enzymes. Your numbers are just not that high but I can relate to being concerned about anything out of range. I'd guess that once viral hepatitis is ruled out you'll undergo some type of imaging test(s) - probably an ultrasound. You'll get it figured out and then you'll get it straightened out.
Good luck,
Mike
Mike,
Firstly, I have read some of your other posts, and there is no question that you are quite knowledgeable in this area, and I think we all know that as patients, we communicate with our doctors enough, and do enough of our own homework to be able to give highly reassuring opinions.
I have a quick follow up question is you are ok with it, based on your statement regarding the HBsAG test - I had the test done 8 days after exposure, nine weeks after exposure, and 12 weeks after exposure. Is this conclusive at this point?
I ask this question because it sounds like a later stage in the acute phase, the disease will no longer be detected. I wondered if my testing throughout the first 90 days negates this somewhat?
In temrms of Hep C I have had the same testing frequency, 8 days post exposure, nine weeks after exposure, and now 12 weeks (84 days). From your post, it appears that I could be covered.
In terms of my liver function, thank you for you reply, when you spend a considerable time on the net, you see some pretty scary things with regard to liver function. Naturally, I have further testing going on with my doctor, but I was trying to rule out Hepatitis, especially in the acute phases and how they would impact testing.
I am sorry for restating a few things, and for asking a few more questions.
Thank you for your reply! The prob with this forum is that it is annonomous, so I guess i will just have to pay your kind gesture forward by spreading sound information....
"It is worthy of note that I am about 50 pounds overweight."
If you exclude viral hepatitis then fatty liver is something you should consider.
"What is the testing window for tests to be considered conclusive?"
Hep C antibodies can take up to 2-3 months from the time of infection to appear.
Hep C RNA can detect hepatitis C in 1 week or 2 from the time of infection.
I assume that you were tested for Hep C antibodies.
"Hepatitis B is diagnosed by detecting one of the viral antigens (HBsAg).....
Later in the acute disease, HBsAg may no longer be present, in which case a test for antibodies to a different antigen—hepatitis B core antigen—is used. If HBsAg can be detected in the blood for longer than six months, chronic hepatitis B is diagnosed.
(http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Hepatitis+b+antibodies)..."
If you had a recent exposure risk then it's possible that your tests might not be conclusive for either virus - Hep C or Hep B. If you haven't had a recent risk then I would assume the tests are valid and that you are not infected with viral hepatitis.
Since you are overweight I would try to rule out fatty liver because that is a rather common liver disease and particularly so in overweight patients.
"Are my numbers considered abnormal, mildly elevated, high or dangerously elevated?"
I would not characterize your enzymes as significantly high or dangerous. Your AST might be called moderately high and your ALT slightly elevated. I have seen a lot higher enzymes in people who recovered and got very healthy so do not panic about your numbers. Find out what is causing these elevations and address the disorder.
I am not in the medical profession in any capacity. I am only a patient so my opinion really isn't worth much.
Good luck,
Mike