HBV DNA detected again after stopping Baraclude

[ggtm]

I took Baraclude for 3 yrs 3mths and seroconverted to HBe neg/anti-HBe pos. and dna was undetected for about 2yrs. I recently stopped in March. But my recent lab results showed the dna is detected again.

March '12 - Stop baraclude
June '12 - hbv dna 1260 IU/ml
July '12 - hbv dna 966 IU/ml, ALT - 10

My dr said my levels are stable but may also cause liver damage over time. He mentioned the virus in my body belongs to the pre-core or core-promoter mutation group. And he also recommended me to take lab tests every month to monitor.

I wish to know what does "pre-core" or "core-promoter" group mean? What are the repercussions?

Does low hbv dna mean a lower risk of liver cancer?

What should i next do to improve my condition? continue to be on medication? or am I ok to stop and just monitor first. I am thinking of a natural treatment like taking phyllanthus niruri and thymus gland supplement. Anyone knows if it will help?

Appreciate your knowledge here...tks.

[grmr]

@ ggtm. Just for my consideration, when eag conversion happened since you start taking Baraclude?

[ggtm]

Thank you for your valuable advice. I will continue monitoring, though 1 mth monitoring now seems quite stressful, as each time I will be very anxious of the lab results.

It seems that after stopping baraclude, I kinda feel something is missing and I actually do not mind being on medication for the rest of my life if that really can assure my liver health. But because I am planning for a 2nd child, I decided to stop for the moment.

I am thinking to take phyllanthus niruri and thymus gland supplements (bought off the pharmacy shelves type). I read that these 2 natural herbs will help improve liver health and immune system. In fact, some (though very rare) CHB carriers actually lost their HBsag after that them. Wonder if you support this?

[ggtm]

Thanks stef for your expert advice. It's great to still see you so active on the forum sharing your valuable advice to us newbies. Really appreciate it!

Are you saying tenofovir is more potent than baraclude in eliminating HBsag? How is the resistance to tenofovir? I will ask my dr abt this once I receive my lab results which I just took this week.

[ggtm]

by the way, would like to ask you on ur opinion about the risk level of liver damage/cancer for my case, based on my lab results.

And I read that high ALT is good as it means immune system attacking the virus. But on the other hand, I also read that we should always check that ALT is within normal range as it correlates to liver health. Which is true?

Thank you for sharing.

[ggtm]

I had HBeag- conversion after about 1 yr 3mths. It's about shortly after my DNA levels went undetected. And I continued Baraclude for another 2yrs after that before stopping recently.

[calmama]

"there are reports on tenofovir and adefovir taken for long periods like 3-5 years and then stopping it, i dont remember exact numbers now but something like 40% cleared hbv definitively"

40% HbsAg clearance on tenofovir or adefovir?  Seems way too high.  The link you provided a few days ago (https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B8E77QizhkLQdGdMamkwaXVFSDQ/edit?pli=1) showed only 10 out of 302 people cleared HbsAg after 30 months of treatment. That's only 3.3%.