Aa
Just found out I have Hepatitus C - what is next?
I recently gave blood and was sent back a letter saying they found some Hep C traces in the blood but did not have enough to be positive. So I had my Dr test for and it is positive. He took more blood to do more tests. I do not feel bad or have any symptoms at all. From what I am reading online the things that usually cause this are things I did 20-25 years ago. Is this possible I have this long aNnd never knew. My head is spinning. I told my husband of 23 years what he said but he has no clue about Hep C and neither did I until I started searching the Internet. Now I am totally scared and confused. I am a Christian so I know God has this in His hands. But.. what can I expect next?
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
Well my cholesterol was always high- over 200 for the last 15 years. staedily went higher until 2 years ago 264 so i relented and took the simvustatin, not even daily as I do not like taking anything anymore. been clean and sober for 16 years, so I know I have that addictive personaloity and do not like taking anything.
I will post back when I get whatever the more blood tests are that were done on weds. I really like my dr, so hopefully he did the right tests.And I appreciate the info- still feel confused but at least feel I have a place to ask questions of those that know and live with this.
I will post back when I get whatever the more blood tests are that were done on weds. I really like my dr, so hopefully he did the right tests.And I appreciate the info- still feel confused but at least feel I have a place to ask questions of those that know and live with this.
Yes that is a good point. I always wondered how I had such great low cholesterol since I'm a junk food junkie of the first class...as soon as I got rid of the virus my chol. went straight up up up.
So perhaps there is a chance that you only have the antibodies - that would be great news and show you that while you were infected at one time your body beat off the virus on it's own. That can happen in 20% of the people exposed.
We of course hope that is the case but if not - we're here to help. We all were new around here at one time so we know what it's like to be at square one (2,3,4,5,6,7,...........)
;)
So perhaps there is a chance that you only have the antibodies - that would be great news and show you that while you were infected at one time your body beat off the virus on it's own. That can happen in 20% of the people exposed.
We of course hope that is the case but if not - we're here to help. We all were new around here at one time so we know what it's like to be at square one (2,3,4,5,6,7,...........)
;)
" From what I am reading online the things that usually cause this are things I did 20-25 years ago". Not unusual around here. Depending on what those things were, it probably makes the mani-pedis and the sedation dentistry less likely.
Bill and NYG gave you good information. Those things were probably the 'more' tests the doc ordered. If a PCR was one of them the results can take a week. So, it's appropriate to chill since you can't do anything but wait anyway.
You mentioned cholesterol monitoring. On effect that HCV can have is to drive cholesterol artificially lower. For many years I was testing at lower than 100, usually in the 60's. Docs always asked me "how are you doing that, FLGuy". It wasn't until an uninformed doc got unusually curious and the dinger finally went off.
Bill and NYG gave you good information. Those things were probably the 'more' tests the doc ordered. If a PCR was one of them the results can take a week. So, it's appropriate to chill since you can't do anything but wait anyway.
You mentioned cholesterol monitoring. On effect that HCV can have is to drive cholesterol artificially lower. For many years I was testing at lower than 100, usually in the 60's. Docs always asked me "how are you doing that, FLGuy". It wasn't until an uninformed doc got unusually curious and the dinger finally went off.
It’s important to ascertain whether you only have antibodies or active virus. Many patients are unnecessarily alarmed by blood bank results; if the antibody tests only are positive, then there is nothing to be concerned about.
Antibodies are like a ‘fingerprint’ that our own immune system develops in response to a pathogen; in this case, HCV. You will also have antibodies to other diseases as well; perhaps a flu or maybe measles as a kid. The presence of antibodies isn’t harmful by itself; if only reflects past infection.
You can request copies of previous lab reports from the doctor when you see hi/her; if you post the pertinent information, someone in here will help you interpret them/
Best to you,
Bill
Antibodies are like a ‘fingerprint’ that our own immune system develops in response to a pathogen; in this case, HCV. You will also have antibodies to other diseases as well; perhaps a flu or maybe measles as a kid. The presence of antibodies isn’t harmful by itself; if only reflects past infection.
You can request copies of previous lab reports from the doctor when you see hi/her; if you post the pertinent information, someone in here will help you interpret them/
Best to you,
Bill
Thanks so much for the information. I guess I just have to wait until The Dr gets results and go from there.
and accept that I may never know where from. I told my husband that he needs to be tested for it the next time he goes to the Dr. We have same dr and he has diabeties so he will have appt shortly.
I am thankful that I gave blood and found out that I have. It sounds like knowing sooner is better than later.
and I will be extra careful of my toothbrush- nail clippers- blood. As I do not want to pass this to anyone.
As you said Knowledge- so indeed I will read up on. Right now I feel obcessed by it and what it will do to me.
and accept that I may never know where from. I told my husband that he needs to be tested for it the next time he goes to the Dr. We have same dr and he has diabeties so he will have appt shortly.
I am thankful that I gave blood and found out that I have. It sounds like knowing sooner is better than later.
and I will be extra careful of my toothbrush- nail clippers- blood. As I do not want to pass this to anyone.
As you said Knowledge- so indeed I will read up on. Right now I feel obcessed by it and what it will do to me.
I have blood taken every 3 months for high cholesterol for years now. "
The tests that would be relevent to your liver would not necessarily have been done with regular old cholesterol blood work. Even if your liver enzyme levels were taken - if they were normal (as can be common) it would not have set off any alarms to the doctor at all. Most of us have no idea we have this disease until, for example, our liver enzymes go skyrocketing...
HCV is mostly symptomless until it's gotten to the latter stages of liver damage progression. there are plenty of people who will never have a clue where they got the disease from or maybe they can surmise what decade that got it in but not much else. It really doesn't matter as long as you do find out that you have it so you know the next steps to take.
Usually we will use a liver biopsy to tell us how far our damage has gotten. This can help us to determine if we need to treat immediately or if we have time to 'watch and wait'. But just know - you have to do the watching part too. Just because you feel fine does not mean it is necessarily true.
I had no idea I had the disease and upon diagnosis was already established to be a stage 3 of 4 (with 4 being cirrhosis).
Start to learn now - the more knowledge you have with this disease, the better.
The tests that would be relevent to your liver would not necessarily have been done with regular old cholesterol blood work. Even if your liver enzyme levels were taken - if they were normal (as can be common) it would not have set off any alarms to the doctor at all. Most of us have no idea we have this disease until, for example, our liver enzymes go skyrocketing...
HCV is mostly symptomless until it's gotten to the latter stages of liver damage progression. there are plenty of people who will never have a clue where they got the disease from or maybe they can surmise what decade that got it in but not much else. It really doesn't matter as long as you do find out that you have it so you know the next steps to take.
Usually we will use a liver biopsy to tell us how far our damage has gotten. This can help us to determine if we need to treat immediately or if we have time to 'watch and wait'. But just know - you have to do the watching part too. Just because you feel fine does not mean it is necessarily true.
I had no idea I had the disease and upon diagnosis was already established to be a stage 3 of 4 (with 4 being cirrhosis).
Start to learn now - the more knowledge you have with this disease, the better.
Thanks for the response. I am not sure what test the Dr ordered, but am sure he will call and have me come in when the results come back. He said that he would monitor yearly? He said that all of my bloodwork prior showed nothing abnormal at all. I have blood taken every 3 months for high cholesterol for years now.
Will the results help to determine how long I have had this? As I am seeing manicurists, dentists- as possible sources of infection. I do IV sleep dentistry twice in the last 5 years and had fake nails done for 7 years up until about 3 years ago.
I guess my best bet is to just chill until he calls me back with results as what I am reading is all confusing until I know what I have and what I do not have. Having Hep C is just all too new to get my mind around.
Will the results help to determine how long I have had this? As I am seeing manicurists, dentists- as possible sources of infection. I do IV sleep dentistry twice in the last 5 years and had fake nails done for 7 years up until about 3 years ago.
I guess my best bet is to just chill until he calls me back with results as what I am reading is all confusing until I know what I have and what I do not have. Having Hep C is just all too new to get my mind around.
Hi there, and welcome to the discussion group.
Many, if not most of us in here were infected many years ago; and yes, quite a few from youthful indiscretions. I was likely infected in the mid seventies, and was only diagnosed in 2004.
It’s important to know what tests have been performed in order to help you figure this out; around 20% of patients that are exposed will clear the virus with their own immune response in the first six months of infection; this leaves them antibody positive, HCV RNA negative. If this describes you, no further action is needed on your part.
If you are antibody positive, but never cleared the virus, then active HCV is present and will eventually require treatment to resolve the infection.
Hopefully, your doctor has ordered a ‘HCV RNA by PCR’ test; the results of which are very specific for active virus. It should take 10-14 days to get the results of this test back. Meanwhile, avoid alcohol until you get this straightened out. You should also avoid sharing toothbrushes or any personal care items like nail clippers, etc that might transmit your blood to others.
Best of luck to you—
Bill
Many, if not most of us in here were infected many years ago; and yes, quite a few from youthful indiscretions. I was likely infected in the mid seventies, and was only diagnosed in 2004.
It’s important to know what tests have been performed in order to help you figure this out; around 20% of patients that are exposed will clear the virus with their own immune response in the first six months of infection; this leaves them antibody positive, HCV RNA negative. If this describes you, no further action is needed on your part.
If you are antibody positive, but never cleared the virus, then active HCV is present and will eventually require treatment to resolve the infection.
Hopefully, your doctor has ordered a ‘HCV RNA by PCR’ test; the results of which are very specific for active virus. It should take 10-14 days to get the results of this test back. Meanwhile, avoid alcohol until you get this straightened out. You should also avoid sharing toothbrushes or any personal care items like nail clippers, etc that might transmit your blood to others.
Best of luck to you—
Bill
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Hepatitis C Community
Learn about this treatable virus.
Getting tested for this viral infection.
3 key steps to getting on treatment.
4 steps to getting on therapy.
What you need to know about Hep C drugs.
How the drugs might affect you.
These tips may up your chances of a cure.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
