HBV chronic liver disease

My father Sri Sanjit kumar Saha was diagnosed with HBV chronic liver disease in August 2011. Under doctor's supervision he was on the following medication: Tab. Udiliv -300mg (twice daily), Tab. Folvite - 5mg, Tab. Zincovit 1tab. daily, Tab. silybon 140mg, Tab. Tenvir -300mg, Tab. Rabium -20mg for 3 months except the last one which was continued for 1 month. Last time he visited apollo hospitals in november 2011. During this period his HBV VIRAL LOAD BY REAL TIME PCR had come down below 3.8 from his earlier H 1100000. Details of his LFT as done in november are as follows: BILIRUBIN, TOTAL-SERUM- 1.2mg/dl, BILIRUBIN CONJUGATED (DIRECT)serum-0.5mg/dl, globulin- 4.0, ALT(SGPT)-61 U/L, SGOT- 69 IU/L GGPT - 197 U/L, ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE- 126 U/L. He is now on the following medication Tab. Tenvir, Tab. silybon, Tab. Udiliv, Tab. Zincovit Recently he started complaining of feeling restless, sleep deprivation, irregular defaecation and less interest for food. Our family physician advised to check his glucose, thyroid levels which have come out to be in range but his SGOT, SGPT have increased to 123 U/L and 80 U/L respectively from the previously mentioned levels.

Is there any need for serious concern regarding his health? He is also undergoing some stress his professional life. Can this cause detoriation of his present health conditions? Kindly suggest.

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

Understand your predicament. Diagnosis of hepatitis B infection is based on the raised levels of HBsAg of IgM. For convalescence it takes anywhere between 6-9months, depending on his antibody titers. The raised liver enzymes will take time to come down. His symptoms could be side effects of his medications. Discuss his symptoms with your consulting doctor he may change the dose or the medications.  

In the meantime ask him follow certain precautions: Avoid smoking and alcohol. Avoid drugs like paracetomol and sedatives. Get vaccinated for hepatitis A. Take a good protein diet.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.