Aa
Positive for hep b surface ag
I just got diagnosed with hep b surface ag. Im really scared. Im 10 weeks pregnant. My liver tests all came back normal. They tested for close to 9 things including alt and all that. Liver function test. Does that mean i am chronic? Ive been with my fiance 12 years. We are both adamant that neither of us cheated. I got the hep b test because i was pregnant. The obgyn said it might have been dormant until the stress of the pregnancy brought it on. Does that mean its chronic? Im still waiting on more test results. I have been vomiting and have nausea but she said thats normal because im in my first trimester. I am really scared for me and my baby. My fiance is scheduling his test as well. We are at a loss. My obgyn has told me she might have to refer me to a specialist for hep b. She hasnt told me if it is chronic or acute. I have first trimester symptoms that seem to fit with hep b ones. Its really scary. Can anyone tell me what my liver test results could mean even though im positive. Also, what can happen and what cant happen? I am so scared that i am researching everything and its a lot to take in. Does anyone have a similar circumstance and can weigh in? Thank you.
I'm not sure who you're arguing with here. This is a simple forum like all the other millions out there where strangers talk to each other.
This is, and should not by all means taken as a MEDICAL ADVICE. It's actually on MedHelp's page:
"The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or medical professional with any questions you may have regarding any symptoms you may be having or any medical condition you experience. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on MedHelp!"
Having said that, I'm glad your parents got tested and now can treat it, but it can't be healthy for you to share your life's story with people you don't know and then argue with them for having different views on it.
All the best!
This is, and should not by all means taken as a MEDICAL ADVICE. It's actually on MedHelp's page:
"The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or medical professional with any questions you may have regarding any symptoms you may be having or any medical condition you experience. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on MedHelp!"
Having said that, I'm glad your parents got tested and now can treat it, but it can't be healthy for you to share your life's story with people you don't know and then argue with them for having different views on it.
All the best!
Has anyone ever had family issues after getting diagnosed? My Dr told me I most likely got it at birth. I tell my parents and my siblings (who are all over 30) to get tested. My parents do not speak English and its hard for me to communicate with them the severity of it and getting tested. I told my family and they hardly texted me back. Half of them never even responded. My parents just told me they dont think they have it and that I have it probably from living a crazy life... My little brother told me he was diagnosed when he was trying to give blood when he was 19 or so (that was 10 or so years ago and he never told us) . So 2 of us in the same family have it...Which means my parents most likely have it. My parents won't get tested because they say they have had blood tests before. I told them that doesn't mean they tested for Hep B. They just tell me they are okay. My one sister got tested and she doesn't have it. My other 3 siblings won't even respond. It's just so frustrating and I feel so upset. They never even called after I told them my diagnoses. As if they don't even care AND this could affect them as well. They basically just think I live a wild life or something. I DO NOT. Finally after trying to convince them for days to get the tests through texts, my sister told me they are grown and they could choose to get tested or not. I told them "What about our parents? They don't even understand the situation because of the language barrier!" No one seems to be taking me serious. They never asked if my baby would be okay. They just don't care. I really just want to cut them out of my life because of this. Not only would my parents getting tested would confirm if my little brother and I got it at birth, it would also help diagnose any issues that they could have. My dad is 71 ! My mom is recently going to go through surgery to remove benign cysts from her boobs. I told my brother to tell her doctor she might have hep b and he won't do it! He lives with them. It's just so frustrating how little they care. What if they have it and not know it and infect someone else? I understand they are adults and are able to make their own decisions but it honestly makes me angry. I feel like they don't realize how much it could change their lives. Maybe they are afraid. Maybe they think it is just something me and my youngest brother did. I have no clue but they are being really obtuse and flippant about it. I'm wondering if any of you had these issues when informing your family that you had it chronically and they should get tested. If my parents never get tested, I would never know if I was born with it or got it some other way...that bothers me. It bothers me that they don't care if they have it or not....
8 Comments
To be upset about someone not disclosing their medical condition to you, even if they are siblings, is silly and on you. Are you now going to tell your friends, your job, and your kids classmates parents.
It’s worry some that if you have this child, you have the possibility to affect him/her with hep b. Doesn’t sound fair. Hopefully, with the shots, your baby will be ok.
At your parents age, I think if they have hep b then they are healthy. I doubt both of them have it. Hopefully again neither have it. It’s hard to say who infected who or where.
Just take care of yourself and stay healthy
It’s worry some that if you have this child, you have the possibility to affect him/her with hep b. Doesn’t sound fair. Hopefully, with the shots, your baby will be ok.
At your parents age, I think if they have hep b then they are healthy. I doubt both of them have it. Hopefully again neither have it. It’s hard to say who infected who or where.
Just take care of yourself and stay healthy
I think knowing if my parents infected me at birth is something i should know. I also think my siblings should get tested. My siblings dont need to tell me their results but my parents should. Sorry if you think differently.
The entire idea of "being infected at birth" stands from the fact that most adults would clear it and not become chronically infected. But to think that you will find out who infected you, it's erroneous. I'm sorry, but you can very well be the person who infected your brother 10 years ago, just that he found out before you did. You can get it extremely easy, even from dental work or using an infected toothbrush, surgery, etc. Also, besides Sex Partners & Health Care Settings I don't think one is obligated to disclose his HBV status to anyone. It might be more of a moral issue yes, but not legal.
I never said it was a legal issue. I never even said i would go around telling people. You guys are assuming a lot of stuff. My parents arent healthy. Yes they are old but they have had health issues. My dad has issues atm and hardly ever wants to to the hospital. My mom is in the hospital for other stuff. The united states says statstically that there are not many people who are chronic. Lower than 1% it says. I moved out of the house when i was 15. I was barely around my brother. Its a high chance my other siblings have it. They dont want to tell me fine. I never said they should. I just want them to get tested. They sleep around. That is potentially a lot of people they could infect just because they dont want to get tested. You guys act like im being selfish. I feel like i should know morally or not if my parents infected us at birth. If i infected my baby, id like to tell them in the future how i could have gotten it. My parents will call me and beg me to tell them everything that i do medically but they cant take simple blood tests to tell me if i got it at birth? Sorry, but thats BS. And sorry that you guys dont agree. Im sorry i even brought it up because most of you are just fine living with not knowing where you definitively got it. We can disagree.
It’s a shame you feel like that. You have issues with you family members and now with comments on the internet??? I believe many of us been there. When, where, how did I get infected. Many been through when will I die from liver cancer or when will I get on treatment for life. When treatment is required, it mostly life long, and wondered how viable is my body to take 20-50 years of antiviral meds. It’s a lot to swallow. Are you the first to have kids of your siblings? Maybe if you have nephews or nieces, they already been tested. If you want your parents to get tested bc you want to WHERE your infection came from, then it doesn’t sound like you care too much. But if you want your parents to be tested for their health then that’s great. But if they don’t want to, then it’s nothing you can do. Best advice to you is start worrying about what’s a head of you and not behind you. Ask the necessary questions for yourself and your child. Hopefully your child will be non chronic hepatitis b. Best wishes
I do care about my parents and my siblings health... i am upset yes and thats why i am talking about it. Shame that you feel im being selfish. Good luck to you and how you feel. Please dont feel the need to comment again. Good luck with your health.
Concernedexpectingmom - Everyone here agrees you do care about your parents and siblings and their health. Believe or not , we have all been there and knowing how you've acquired the disease will NOT change anything. For now you need to focus on your pregnancy to ensure this state of anxiety does not affect your baby. Please work with an experience Hepatologist and OBG so you can give birth to a healthy baby. As far as making you siblings and parents aware of the disease, you can always fight this battle after your pregnancy but do keep in mind that this decision to test is ultimately theirs. Most likely your parents will not seek treatment in their 70s so there's no need to push them unless they want to know their status. Several folks on the forum had already given you good advice. Please stay of this forum until after your pregnancy to learn more about the disease and how to keep yourself healthy. God bless and good luck with your pregnancy :)
My parents finally did get tested and tested positive for chronic hep b. My dad actually does have signs of liver issues when they scanned him so I am pretty glad I pushed them regardless of what you guys agree with. I AM GLAD I DID. They are now agreeing with me and my siblings are now getting tested. My mom also had problems with her LFTs and she is now looking forward to her liver scans. Not everyone is right here. SO IM GLAD I DIDN'T LISTEN. As for my recent tests. I am also positive for core antibody which is to be expected since I was most likely born with it because both my parents are chronic. So yes, I am glad I pushed them and YES I am happy they are finally getting the help they need. Please if anyone is in my position. Don't always agree with what people say online regardless of what they think is helpful. I may have saved my parents and my siblings health just because they didn't take it serious. Yes, It is their choice but even smart people are scared of a diagnosis. I'm done with talking about it.
My appointment for e antigen test and e antibody got rescheduled for the 11th. I will update with news then.
I also forgot to post these results. I am not sure if they matter but here they are.
MPV 10.70 RANGE 9.7-10.3
NEU% 71.30 RANGE 43.00-77.00
NEU# 9.05 RANGE 2.40-8.20
LYM% 20.60 RANGE 20.50-45.50
LYM# 2.62 RANGE 1.30-5.30
MO% 5.20 RANGE 0.00-12.80
MO# 0.66 RANGE 0.30-0.90
EOS% 1.60 RANGE 0.90-5.00
EOS# 0.20 RANGE 0.00-0.20
BA% 0.40 RANGE 0.00-1.00
BA# 0.050 RANGE 0.000-0.080
IG# 0.12 RANGE 0.00-0.03
IG% 0.90 RAANGE <5.00
NRBC# 0.00 RANGE 0.00-0.01
NRBC% 0.00 RANGE 0.00-0.20
MPV 10.70 RANGE 9.7-10.3
NEU% 71.30 RANGE 43.00-77.00
NEU# 9.05 RANGE 2.40-8.20
LYM% 20.60 RANGE 20.50-45.50
LYM# 2.62 RANGE 1.30-5.30
MO% 5.20 RANGE 0.00-12.80
MO# 0.66 RANGE 0.30-0.90
EOS% 1.60 RANGE 0.90-5.00
EOS# 0.20 RANGE 0.00-0.20
BA% 0.40 RANGE 0.00-1.00
BA# 0.050 RANGE 0.000-0.080
IG# 0.12 RANGE 0.00-0.03
IG% 0.90 RAANGE <5.00
NRBC# 0.00 RANGE 0.00-0.01
NRBC% 0.00 RANGE 0.00-0.20
2 Comments
Don’t be scared,I delivered 2 healthy kids at the age of 32 and 35.With my first one I was still considered in acute phase,I remained chronic ,somehow my immune system didn’t get rid of the virus(my guess is that was weakened because of my prepregnancy ).I am 63 now,still not on treatment and doing well.I would look for another OBGYN and also for an hepatologist to monitor your Hepb.Learn as much as you can,be proactive and advocate for yourself.In US many doctors don’t know much about hepb.
Thank you so much for your kind words. Im so happy your children are safe!! My spouses results just came back and he is negative for everything. Thank goodness!!! I dont know what i would do if i knew i infected him. He is a godsend because he has told me he would never leave me. It is nice to know that he is safe and he is in the process of getting his vaccine.
Thank you. I understand those things and I'm trying to get those tests done. It's just frustrating because none of my doctors knows what I'm talking about when I ask for those tests. Do I need to go to a hepatologist and do they offer these tests in USA? My doctor is just an OBGYN and has no experience in this. I also forgot to post my CBC.
CBC w/ Auto Differential
WBC 12.70 RANGE 4.80-11.80
RBC 4.33 RANGE 3.60-5.40
HGB 12.50 RANGE 12.00-16.00
HCT 36.50 RANGE 35.00-48.00
MCV 84.30 RANGE 78.50-99.00
MCH 28.90 RAANGE 26.00-33.00
MCHC 34.20 RANGE 31.00-37.00
RDW 12.40 RANGE 11.50-13.50
PLT 228.0 RANGE 135.0-420.0
Any advice is greatly appreciated on how I proceed and what you guys think it may be. Chronic or acute or Inactive. I am of asian descent. I do not want to get my parents and family into this until I'm sure its chronic or acute. I never tested for Hep B before. These are all the results I have. I am negative for HEP C and HIV.
CBC w/ Auto Differential
WBC 12.70 RANGE 4.80-11.80
RBC 4.33 RANGE 3.60-5.40
HGB 12.50 RANGE 12.00-16.00
HCT 36.50 RANGE 35.00-48.00
MCV 84.30 RANGE 78.50-99.00
MCH 28.90 RAANGE 26.00-33.00
MCHC 34.20 RANGE 31.00-37.00
RDW 12.40 RANGE 11.50-13.50
PLT 228.0 RANGE 135.0-420.0
Any advice is greatly appreciated on how I proceed and what you guys think it may be. Chronic or acute or Inactive. I am of asian descent. I do not want to get my parents and family into this until I'm sure its chronic or acute. I never tested for Hep B before. These are all the results I have. I am negative for HEP C and HIV.
Like my doctor told me in the beginning, this is a marathon, not a sprint, it might feel like ages in between tests and doctor's appointments but that's because you are not in any immediate danger and this can be kept under control very efficient today.
It comes as a shock at first, but even if you're chronic, with today's medication and the ones that are on trial, there's a very bright outcome in the future years.
There are other sets of tests that you're doctor most definitely will ask you to do that will answer all these questions. As of right now, you seem to be ok with very good results on Liver Enzymes and low hbvdna.
Interpretation of Hepatitis B Serologic Test Results (.gov website)
Susceptible:
HBsAg negative
anti-HBc negative
anti-HBs negative
Immune due to natural infection:
HBsAg negative
anti-HBc positive
anti-HBs positive
Immune due to hepatitis B vaccination:
HBsAg negative
anti-HBc negative
anti-HBs positive
Acutely infected:
HBsAg positive
anti-HBc positive
IgM anti-HBc positive
anti-HBs negative
Chronically infected:
HBsAg positive
anti-HBc positive
IgM anti-HBc negative
anti-HBs negative
Interpretation unclear; four possibilities:
1. Resolved infection (most common)
2. False-positive anti-HBc, thus susceptible
3. “Low level” chronic infection
4. Resolving acute infection
HBsAg negative
anti-HBc positive
anti-HBs negative
P.S.:
I am not a doctor!
Don't take any decisions based on what people online are saying, this should be purely informative. Follow your doctor's advice at all times.
It comes as a shock at first, but even if you're chronic, with today's medication and the ones that are on trial, there's a very bright outcome in the future years.
There are other sets of tests that you're doctor most definitely will ask you to do that will answer all these questions. As of right now, you seem to be ok with very good results on Liver Enzymes and low hbvdna.
Interpretation of Hepatitis B Serologic Test Results (.gov website)
Susceptible:
HBsAg negative
anti-HBc negative
anti-HBs negative
Immune due to natural infection:
HBsAg negative
anti-HBc positive
anti-HBs positive
Immune due to hepatitis B vaccination:
HBsAg negative
anti-HBc negative
anti-HBs positive
Acutely infected:
HBsAg positive
anti-HBc positive
IgM anti-HBc positive
anti-HBs negative
Chronically infected:
HBsAg positive
anti-HBc positive
IgM anti-HBc negative
anti-HBs negative
Interpretation unclear; four possibilities:
1. Resolved infection (most common)
2. False-positive anti-HBc, thus susceptible
3. “Low level” chronic infection
4. Resolving acute infection
HBsAg negative
anti-HBc positive
anti-HBs negative
P.S.:
I am not a doctor!
Don't take any decisions based on what people online are saying, this should be purely informative. Follow your doctor's advice at all times.
Can someone help me? Perhaps stef2011?? I found out my obgyn only tested me for hbvsag and i came out positive. She wouldnt tell me if i was acute or chronic and had no idea what the IGM test was.
My viral dna is 12803 or 4.11 log. My hepb surface antibody is only 0.42.
My LFT panels showed
T pro 7.50 RANGE 6.40-8.30
ALB 3.89 RANGE 3.50-5.20
A/G RATIO 1.08 RANGE 1.20-2.20
GLOBULIN 3.61 RANGE 2.30-3.50
D BILI 0.2 RANGE 0.0-0.5
T BILI 0.3 RANGE 0.2-1.2
AST 16.8 RANGE 5.0-34.0
ALT 25 RANGE 0-55
ALKP 39.2 RANGE 40.0-150.0
She told me my lft was normal and she couldnt give me anymore answers and referred me to a fetal maternal dr as i am pregnant. The maternal fetal dr which is who im scheduled to go to on the 11th only shows that i have a scheduled ultrasound. It doesnt show any bloodwork is scheduled. Should i talk to a hepatologist? No one seems to know what tests im asking for. I want to know if i am chronic or acute or what stage i am in. Its very stressful. I live in USA midwest and i know there arent a lot of cases here. The drs here are not experienced and seem to brush me off. I am also on medicare. Does going to a hepatologist have it covered by medicare? All the offices are closed on the weekend and no one seems to have answers for me. I want to know if this is acute or chronic or what should i do to take the best step for me and baby. Please help me make the best decisions for me and my baby.
My viral dna is 12803 or 4.11 log. My hepb surface antibody is only 0.42.
My LFT panels showed
T pro 7.50 RANGE 6.40-8.30
ALB 3.89 RANGE 3.50-5.20
A/G RATIO 1.08 RANGE 1.20-2.20
GLOBULIN 3.61 RANGE 2.30-3.50
D BILI 0.2 RANGE 0.0-0.5
T BILI 0.3 RANGE 0.2-1.2
AST 16.8 RANGE 5.0-34.0
ALT 25 RANGE 0-55
ALKP 39.2 RANGE 40.0-150.0
She told me my lft was normal and she couldnt give me anymore answers and referred me to a fetal maternal dr as i am pregnant. The maternal fetal dr which is who im scheduled to go to on the 11th only shows that i have a scheduled ultrasound. It doesnt show any bloodwork is scheduled. Should i talk to a hepatologist? No one seems to know what tests im asking for. I want to know if i am chronic or acute or what stage i am in. Its very stressful. I live in USA midwest and i know there arent a lot of cases here. The drs here are not experienced and seem to brush me off. I am also on medicare. Does going to a hepatologist have it covered by medicare? All the offices are closed on the weekend and no one seems to have answers for me. I want to know if this is acute or chronic or what should i do to take the best step for me and baby. Please help me make the best decisions for me and my baby.
Also, does Positive IGM automatically mean its acute or could it be acute exasperation of CHB? I have read that acute of CHB could mimic acute symptoms. How do you know for sure between the two?
Can anyone tell me is hbv dna viral load the same as hep b viral load? I see posts and im confused.
2 Comments
Are you hbsab positive or negative
I am testing tomorrow for antibodies and antigen test. My doctor believes im chronic. I already told my 5 siblings to get tested. I will update as i get information.
So does this mean i am chronic or acute? Or an inactive carrier? Thank you so much for helping me. I am very stressed and depressed.
2 Comments
Please read my first reply to see if you are chronic or acute, or consult a HBV specialist. Whether you are inactive or not must take in many factors and results from your blood test. The Internet will not tell you the answer, but a HBV specialists should.
Hepatitis B is a very old disease, currently it is estimated that over 350 million people have chronic Hepatitis B(many more had acute HBV), but only a very small percentage of people know that they have chronic Hepatitis B. With proper treatment, you should live a normal life span, die with HBV rather than because of it. To prevent infecting others, those close to you should get the vaccine, do not donate blood, and avoid blood to blood contact. At your age, there is a very good chance that you will see a cure, so make sure your liver is healthy when that day comes.
Hepatitis B is a very old disease, currently it is estimated that over 350 million people have chronic Hepatitis B(many more had acute HBV), but only a very small percentage of people know that they have chronic Hepatitis B. With proper treatment, you should live a normal life span, die with HBV rather than because of it. To prevent infecting others, those close to you should get the vaccine, do not donate blood, and avoid blood to blood contact. At your age, there is a very good chance that you will see a cure, so make sure your liver is healthy when that day comes.
Thank you so much. I really appreciate your input and the time you put into this. Bless you.
I am not a doctor. Your situation is not uncommon. After the initial shock, you will find things are not as bad as you fear. In adults, over 90% recovered from an HBV infection, that is, they will test HBsAg negative after 6 months, and only HBsAb will test positive. However, when infants or very young children were infected, over 90% will develop chronic Hepatitis B, that is, their HBsAg test will be positive, together with HBeAg and HBcAb. With Chronic Hepatitis B, the patients should be monitored regularly, there are many phases in the natural life cycle and treatment is only required when needed. There is no cure for chronic Hepatitis B, at the moment, but there are excellent treatments, like taking a single pill daily, if and when treatment is needed. If your HBcAb IgM is positive, you may be in the acute phase. In general, HBsAg still positive after 6 months, indicates chronic Hepatitis B. It is often difficult to discover how one is infected. If you are chronic, getting it from your mother should be considered, as vertical transmission is the most likely cause of chronic Hepatitis B. If you are chronic, you should be monitored closely during your pregnancy, as you may need antiviral treatment if your hbvdna (viral load) is too high. In any case, it is now standard procedure for a baby born to an HBsAg positive mother to receive HBIG and the first dose of HBV vaccine within 24 hours after birth to prevent vertical transmission. Your obgyn should know this! I am not very impressed with your obgyn's knowledge of HBV, it cannot be "dormant" and be activated by stress. Chronic Hepatitis B can be inactive and not infectious. Your blood test results should inform you.
Congratulation on your pregnancy. All the best.
Congratulation on your pregnancy. All the best.
3 Comments
I found out my surface antibody is 0.42. Is that high? Also my hbv dna iu/ml is 12803 and my hbv dna log iu/ml is 4.11. All my lft labs are normal.
Antibody is produced by our immune system, whereas antigen (such as HBsAg) is produced by the virus. The right antibody should neutralize its matching antigen, like lock and key, thereby preventing infection by the virus. In general, when your HBsAg is positive, the amount of HBsAb, should it tests positive, is not relevant, because not all your HBsAb is the right type for the HBsAg in your body. So amount of HbsAb is not relevant when your HBsAg is positive. When your HBsAg is negative, an amount of HBsAb > 10 iu/l indicate you have protective immunity.
Your HBVDNA of 12803 iu/ml is the same as 4.11 log iu/ml, a different way of expressing the same number.
Remember, the Hepatitis B virus in itself is not harmful to your body, but it is your body immune reaction to the virus that causes problem The number of hbvdna varies greatly during different phases of a chronic infection. It is important to consider amount of hbvdna together other markers, such as status of HBeAg , ALT, and liver function in order to determine its significance. Also one should not rely on a singe assay of hbvdna, a series of assays and trend line are more useful.
If you are chronic, it may not be a bad idea to come under the supervision of a HBV specialist, who can provide you with regular checkups and appropriate treatment when it is necessary.
It is good that your liver function test is normal, but be sure to consult your doctors regularly.
Your HBVDNA of 12803 iu/ml is the same as 4.11 log iu/ml, a different way of expressing the same number.
Remember, the Hepatitis B virus in itself is not harmful to your body, but it is your body immune reaction to the virus that causes problem The number of hbvdna varies greatly during different phases of a chronic infection. It is important to consider amount of hbvdna together other markers, such as status of HBeAg , ALT, and liver function in order to determine its significance. Also one should not rely on a singe assay of hbvdna, a series of assays and trend line are more useful.
If you are chronic, it may not be a bad idea to come under the supervision of a HBV specialist, who can provide you with regular checkups and appropriate treatment when it is necessary.
It is good that your liver function test is normal, but be sure to consult your doctors regularly.
Thank you. How do i know if i am chronic or acute? Im not sure i responded to your comment or my own comment so sorry if i responded twice.
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