When can I stop Baraclude treatment?

[qor]

I am female, 28 y.o. I have known being the carrier for about 10 years (probably since birth).
I first started treatment since Jan 08, due to very high load of DNA (almost 600m copies) and high AST, ALT (200, 600 respectively). Echographie abdominale shows Liver were functioning well (all following tests showed same result).
As prescribed by doctor, I have been using Baraclude since. After 6 months treatment (Jul 08), ALT, AST were back in normal range. Virus count dropped to less than 30K copies . Anti-Hbe tested Pos. I was told that the treatment objectives were achieved but advised to continue with the medicine to bring back DNA to lower level.
6 months later (1 year after treatment), my DNA test was done again and showed the undetectable level of the virus (<500copies/ml). I expected then the treatment might be able to stop. However I was advised to continue to taking the medicine being afraid that the resistance to the medicine might develop if I stop using. I have since continued the treatment and all follow-up check-up shows very good result.
Most recently, test in Dec 2009 shows AST 16.2, AKT 11.2. HbeAg Neg. Non-detectable virus count (<500copies/ml).
It looks like it is advisable for me to use Baraclude for life, which is although not too much a problem on the finance aspect, but is extremely inconvinient for other aspects of life. This is because I would like to use contraceptive pills for birth control but it is advisable that anyone taking treatment for Hep B shouldn't use pills.
My questions are therefore, in my case, when can I stop Baraclude? My second question followed, if I have to continue w the medicine, what are the options I can use for birth control (beside usage of condom everytime, which is not a prefered choice)?
Thank you very much for helping with my case.

[Engr_JDelacruz]

Hi. Just reviewed the Architect Hbsag that you told me and found out that it is the same with the Hbsag w/ titer (CMIA) which I'm currently using for monitoring. Kindly advise if my understanding is correct. Thanks!

Reference: http://www.ilexmedical.com/files/PDF/HBsAg_ARC.pdf

[Engr_JDelacruz]

There are only two tests for hbsag here in the Philippines. The titer (CMIA) which has no units but has a cut off value of 1 and the hbsag quantification II which has a unit in iu/ml but doesn't have a cut-off value. So what do you think is more advisable to take? If ever i become hbsag non-reactive in the obsolete elisa test, will I have a zero value on the quantitative test? thanks for the info.

[stef2011]

for hbsag you need architect and not obsolete elisa tests, only results in iu/ml are quantitative

the obsolete test you are using doesn t count hbsag but just the regents used in the test so even if you get close to 1 your hbsag may have got higher instead lower, there is no correlation between the number in your test and hbsag quantity

[Engr_JDelacruz]

Based on my two doctors there's no problem taking baraclude and having a baby if your a male so you can go and multiply.
I've been out of this forum for 5 months just for info my hbsag and hbeag are now on grayzone area meaning very close to 1. I'm just on my 17 month of baraclude plus supplement. Hoping that I will develop both anti-hbe and anti-hbs in the next few months.

[Diogene]

I am taking baraclude for 3 years. My wife and I are thinking to have a baby. One doctor says it's not safe to do this while still on medication. Another one states the oposite. I looked for studies but all I could find was refferring to situations in which women are undrer treatment. Nothing on men under treatment. So I am quite confuse now. Is it or is it not a problem to have a baby while the man is under treatment?

[samarium]

Before starting with entecavir, I ve been with inf for one year and no response at all. For that reason I ve started with ETV 2 years ago. Fingers crossed and I will wait for the clearance of HBV... I hope i get it asap... thanks.