Full Physical Revealed Hep C

[Pardesi108]

I recently decided to get a full physical because I want to not only live a long life, I want it to be healthy. Everything was good except I had a Vitamin D deficiency and I had elevated ALT/AST readings. Everything else was in range except those two readings:

Results Round 1
Bilirubin, Total: 1.2 (Reference Range 0.2-1.2 mg/dL - so it seems this reading is right on the cusp)
Alkaline, Phosphatase: 58 (RR: 33-115 U/L)
AST (SGOT): 41 H (RR: 10-30 U/L)
ALT (SGPT): 67 H (RR: 6-40 U/L)
eGFR: >60 (RR: >=60 mL/min).

She said I could have elevated enzymes due to many things such as hard exercise, infections and many other things. So she had me retested. The next results I got were:

Protein, Total: 7.5 (RR: 6.2-8.3 g/dL)
Albumin: 4.2 (RR: 3.6-5.1 g/dL)
Globulin: 3.3 (RR: 2.2-3.9 g/dL)
A/G Ratio: 1.3 (RR: 1.0-2.1 ratio)
Bilirubin, Total: 0.6 (RR: 0.2-1.2 mg/dL)
Bilirubin, Direct: 0.1 (RR:  or = 8.0. Samples with high S/CO ratios have been shown to repeat as positive using a different methodology 95% of the time or greater. Therefore, additional testing for verification of the result is not recommended.

Hepatitis C Ab: Reactive.

Here is my background. Yes I was an IV drug user and I have 18 years being clean and sober. I have not used once since then. I had two children after that and was very very open with my past to be sure that I would have a healthy pregnancy. I don't remember specifically having them test me for Hep C, but since I was an IV drug user, I know for a fact that they would have monitored me. Also, I know about 4 years ago I had a full scope testing for all std's and related diseases and since my ex-husband had Hep C I was tested for that (we have been divorced for over 10 years) and I remember the nurse saying I was negative and being happy that I didn't have it after all I had been through. I am now totally stunned that I may possibly have Hep C because I do not do any types of things that would expose me to it. At all. How could I have gotten it in the last 4 years? A few other notes, I have went from almost no exercise to working out pretty hard, at least 40 minutes a day of walking to a full hour of aerobics a couple of times a week pretty recently to being tested, as in the two or so months prior. Also, I had gained a lot of weight. My ideal BMI weight is 135 and I was there a few years ago, now I am 181, so fatty liver was another possibility the doctor gave me for the high enzyme readings (I think her words were something like high liver activity). I also have had an infected tooth for a long time. Maybe 3/4 of a year. It was abcessed also. I was given antibiotics late last year and never took them. I hoped it would go away on its own. After I tested the second time I realized that the infection in my tooth is spread through my entire system and this might be a reason for the abnormal results. My antibiotics expired late last year, but I took them anyway and I was not able to take them all on time every day, so it was fruitless. I got my results back and the addition of the results for Hep C being reactive took the wind out of my sails with the readings being because of infection. I went to the dentist today and the tooth is still badly infected. They pulled two molars, gave me antibiotics and antibiotic mouthwash and it will take about 8 days to get through the prescription. Meanwhile, I went to the lab on Monday and took two more blood tests, I forgot what one is for, the second is to find out what genotype I have. I am really in denial. I can't have this. I have been tested multiple times. How will I know if I am in acute or chronic stage? Is the fluctuations in the AST/ALT results (they went down in the second tests) normal? Could my infected tooth and sudden increase in exercise cause these readings? Is it possible I have a fatty liver instead? Even though these questions are possibilities, does the "reactive" reading for Hep C rule the above possibilities out? I was blogging on Facebook about my distress and friends are calling me embarrassed and ashamed for me telling me I shouldn't put such personal information out like I am a dirty prostitute shooting up in some dark alley. I had really turned my life around and I felt like I could talk about it because however I contracted this, it was not a typical way. I went to India 3.5 years ago and have also had a lot of dental work done over the last couple of years. Any feedback or advice would be great. I am so tired of always having nothing but bad news. I feel like a leper.

[Pardesi108]

Ok, looks like my second test results got lost somewhere in the transmission.
Here is the rest, what's missing:

Bilirubin, Direct: 0.1 (RR:  or = 8.0. Samples with high S/CO ratios have been shown to repeat as positive using a different methodology 95% of the time or greater. Therefore, additional testing for verification of the result is not recommended.

And of course, again: Hepatitis C Ab: Reactive

[KarenBee]

There are so many people on this forum who have more knowledge than me but I wanted to tell that you are not alone.  I hope all goes well for you.

[Pardesi108]

My results keep getting cut out in transmission. Hopes this goes through this time.
Bilirubin, Direct: 0.1 (RR: < = 0.2 mg/dL)
Alkaline Phosphatase: 68 (RR: 33-115 U/L)
AST (SGOT): 34 H (RR: 10-30 U/L)
ALT (SGPT): 50 H (RR: 6-40 U/L)
Bilirubin, Indirect: 0.5 (RR: 0.2-1.2 mg/dL)

[jmjm530]

Ask your doctor for a Hep C viral load test also known as a PCR test. This will confirm whether or not you have Hepatitis C. You may not have it. If the viral load test comes out positive, you should then get a referral to a liver specialist who are called Hepatologists. Hepatologists are usually found at your larger teaching hospitals. They will then do a more complete evaluation.

-- Jim

[Pardesi108]

I have had to make sevaral posts because in the first two attempts, blocks of my writings are being omitted.
The final parts of my second results just said that I was non-reactive for Hep A Ab, Hep B Surface and Hep B Core.

Hepatitis C Ab Signal to Cut-Off: 30.90
With the note: The patient's sample tests reactive with a high S/CO ratio: > or = 8.0. Samples with high S/CO ratios have been shown to repeat as positive using a different methodology 95% of the time or greater. Therefore, additional testing for verification of the result is not recommended.

I wish I could have deleted or edited the above posts so sorry for having to make 5 or so posts to get all my info out.

[Pardesi108]

Hi Karen, Thanks so much for your comforting words. Hi Jim, thanks. I think that was probably one of the two tests I just did a blood draw for this past Monday. Like I said, I am sure one was for the genotype, the other must be what you are saying. I get the results back on the 20th of May. It is torture waiting to find out. I feel like my head is spinning manically in denial. My results above for the ALT and AST to me do not seem that far out of range. But then again, I don't know anything about any of this. And having the result of Hep C reactive, it is banging logic against my pathetic attempts find another reason why my liver function is abnormal.

[jmjm530]

There's no reason for the tests to take that long to come back so I assume then that the 20th of May is your appointment date and the results will be sitting on your doctor's desk for many days before that. Your viral load test should take no longer than two weeks to be ready. If you don't want to wait, call your doctor's office around that time and ask them to send you the results. If positive, and assuming you're seeing a GP, ask for a referral to a liver specialist (hepatologist) to get the ball rolling.

-- Jim

[jmjm530]

Well, time flies when you're having fun and didn't realize that it's almost May 1st. Ugh! I suppose you can just wait for your appointment then if you want.

[Pardesi108]

On someone else's thread they mention:
"The original test read HCV Ab 43.4 High, compared to the normal S/CO ratio of 0-.9."

Does this pertain to the reading I have for: Hepatitis C Ab Signal to Cut-Off: 30.90..etc. above?

What does this mean? I seem lower that they above person, but my S/CO ratio is different. Instead of 0-.9, mine is > or = 8.0. I totally don't know how to read this or what it means.

[Pardesi108]

Thanks so much Jim! :)

[Pardesi108]

Oh man, my appointment with the doctor for my results wasn't until May 20th. The doctor just called and wants me to come in immediately - today at 4 - for the results and to talk. So, that means it is not good. If it was good, she wouldn't care and I would have had to wait until May 20th to hear the results showed that I am ok. She sounded urgent. ****. **** ****. ****!! Why Me!!!

[Bill1954]

Good luck! Make sure to ask for copies of any relevant lab or procedure results; you will probably benefit from beginning a file.

The question you want to have answered right now is whether or not you are ‘HCV RNA positive”. Let us know how things go for you—

Bill

[his3707]

I have been recently diagnosed as well, I thought also for sure that I had been tested for everything including HCV because of questionable things I did in my distant past.   I have learned that you may not have done anything wrong to get it.  I have spent many hours researching and studying and spending alot of time of this forum asking questions and lurking around and listening.  I still don't know all my results.  I am waiting on a firbrosure test (an alternative for a liver biopsy) to start to see where I am as far as my liver condition is concerned.  Will have the biopsy if necessary even if I don't want to.  One thing I have learned more than anything else is not to panic, keep on top of it and find out where you stand, You might not even have an active virus.   If you do, Study the current treatment, treatments in the near future,  Learn everything you can about it.  That way when you talk to your doctors you will have an idea what the heck they are talking about.....I have learned that this affects us all differently.  I have most likely been carrying this around for 30+ years but maybe a couple of years.  I have come to terms that it really doesnt matter. The thing that matters is finding out what condition your liver is in right now thru biopsy or the fibrosure test what ever you are comfortable with and your doctor is comfortable with.  Take it one day at a time, You probably wont have to rush into anything.  take time to get well informed.  I have been working on getting all my testing and results since february 23.  One thing I have learned is what the word  patience means.  I keep trying to go on with my life as ususal.  I have kids also and things stay busy.  I have learned alot from good websites but there is nothing that substitutes talking to people that are living our experience.   Praying for you..        his3707

[7summer7]

say it isnt so, I am so afraid of the unknown I want to know all the facts now!!! if it takes two months for me to findout whats going on in my body I will go crazy!!!!

[Pardesi108]

Well, I knew it couldn't be good, otherwise my my file would have been collecting dust until my appointment on the 20th. It's confirmed. I have Hep C. God only knows how. I sure the heck don't. Well, time to start doing research. I only drink about an average of 6 glasses of red wine a month. I guess I will even stop that.

My diagnosis says: 070.54 - Chronic Hepatitis C without Mention of Hepatic Coma

I have Genotype 3a.

HCV RNA QT: 61800 H (RR: <50 IU/mL)
HCV RNA QT: 4.79 H (RR: <1.7 LogIU/mL)

Tomorrow first thing in the morning I call the hepatology department for my first appointment. I am still waiting for my appointment for an ultrasound.

Hi Bill, thanks for the advice, though I don't know what this result means. But I posted it above. And thanks for the note on collecting my lab results and forming a file. That was great advice.

Thanks for the supportive encouraging words his3707. Ya, I already feel more comfortable on this forum reading other peoples experiences. I have no problem getting a biopsy. So when it comes time, I will have it done. I am trying to gather all my medical records. I know I had a doctor tell me within the last 5 years I did not have any hepatitis whatsoever. So I am again in denial hoping that since I could not have had it long, the damage cannot be that bad. Ya, I am really anxious to know the amount of liver damage.

7summer7, are you ok? Is everything alright?

So would I know if I am acute or chronic stage? If I am acute (again denial and grasping for straws) I could still fight it off, right?

Sad thing is, I have two girls, 13 and 17. They both have to be tested 'cause we have possibly shared toothbrushes and razors.

[Bill1954]

Hi there, Pardesi—

Well, if there’s a bright spot in all this, you did catch a break with your genotype; GT-3 is quite a bit more responsive to meds than the more predominant Genotype 1. And, there’s a good chance you will only require six months of treatment, versus the 11 months that Genotype 1 patients need.

Regarding chronic vs. acute; the acute stage lasts for six months after exposure; if caught at that point, and promptly treated, it might be easier to manage. The vast majority of us are diagnosed with chronic HCV; neither of them necessarily comes with symptoms, unfortunately.

A biopsy can tell you how much damage, if any, you have sustained; and ultimately, whether or not treatment is urgent at this juncture. If little to no damage, a case can be made to postpone treatment until you can make time for it.

It’s very doubtful that either of your children have acquired HCV from you; household/causal transmission is extremely rare. I was married for nearly twenty years, and presumably infected the entire time. No effort was made to prevent transmission, including the occasional sex during menses; my ex to date doesn’t have HCV, nor do my adult children. If it makes you feel better to confirm this, by all means, have the kids tested.  

If you haven’t already, take a look at the following site:

http://janis7hepc.com/

You might begin by clicking on ‘newly diagnosed’ near the top of the page, or by opening “other HCV information’, in the right-hand margin. This has a lot of info on HCV, including description of genotypes, biopsy info, etc.

Go here for more info on the lingo used here:

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Hepatitis/Common-Hepatitis-C-Acronyms/show/3?cid=64

Take care, and stay in touch—

Bill

[Pardesi108]

Thanks Bill! I will check all your links. I have all these test numbers and data and I have no idea what they mean. They only thing I know is I have Hep C, so now I guess I need to learn what all the data means so I can monitor my progress. I guess until I have the ultrasound/biopsy, I will have no idea how bad it is. Is there anything I can do to strengthen my body to fight it? I mean also strengthening myself so in treatment, it is more effective? Or is there really no such thing. I am thinking of things in the sense of building my immune system etc. My tests yesterday also showed I have low iron levels. I am being put on iron supplements (in addition to the Vitamin D supplements). I am back to becoming very athletic and will be decreasing my weight and getting fit. I am eating better, home cooked meals with fresh ingredients. I hear that some people have a horrid time on treatments and some have little discomfort. I am anxious as to which I will be. I am a single mom, a small business owner who's business was devastated in the recession so working hard to hold things together, and don't have a support system. So of course I am worried if the treatments are going to incapacitate me.

[jmjm530]

You have a very low pre-treatment viral load which means you could possibly get by with only 12-16 weeks of treatment assuming a good viral response from the drugs.

While I would generally advise for a biopsy first, given your genotype and very low pre-tx viral load I might just jump on the opportunity to blast this away with only 12-16 weeks. I say "jump on it" because viral load has a tendency to go up and down.

The best (and only IMO) person to discuss a shorter treatment course with would be a hepatologist (liver specialist). They can usually be found at your larger teaching hospitals. Your average gastro is just not up on the current studies enough nor on the nuances of treatment and newer protocols. I would also get tested for Insulin Resistance at this point as it's somewhat more common in geno 3's and can be an impediment to being cured. As to the other stuff, no harm in stopping alcohol especially if you're planning on treating although the amount you mention would not alarm my liver specialist. Best prep for treatment in terms of lifestyle would be to get down to your ideal BMI (body mass index). Being overweight is also a negative predictor of SVR.

-- Jim

[jmjm530]

As to your low iron levels this is not necessarily bad and in fact could work to your favor on treatment. Conversely, high iron levels pre-treatment can work to your disadvantage during treatment.

I'm not telling you to no listen to your doc regarding iron supplementation but personally I would run your iron numbers by a liver specialist (hepatologist) before possibly building up my iron to  a level which would end up working to my disadvantage, Did he do an iron store test (ferritin and transferrin sat (TSAT) ) or only serum iron? You really need an iron stores test on this.

Again, you may be one of the very lucky few who can kill this thing in as little as 12 weeks if you act fairly fast and with the right kind of doctor.

-- Jim

[7summer7]

to your ? am I ok to be honest i think I feel like I am falling apart. i am scared, anxous, tired. my insurance has authorized my seeing a GI but they are taking forever I need to know what the facts are guessing is the worst. I called the GI I am supposed to be going to my doc faxed refferal GI says they never recieved it so i had it faxed again and they want me to just sit back and wait till they get ahold of mr for an appt.  ya right. so really I found out more than 2 weeks ago and all I know is vl is 302000 and 5.48 thats it no type no stages no nothing Im going crazy!! I am anemic  and was told to take iron and vit D and also my calcium is low so i am supposed to take some othe vit too i wish i could get some answers and then I will feel much better even if its bad it cant be worse than my imagination.......I also am having my kids tested let me know how yours turn out...thanks for listening summer  

[Proactive]

"and don't have a support system" Well you have us don't you? Welcome aboard, and it appears you do have a few positives going for you...
best of luck, one foot at a time, one foot in front of the other,, it's easy to get overwhelmed at first..
Pro

[oneatenuff]

On the iron..... (first though - I've not read all the notes,  just trying to catch up on some notes I'd not read)...  but I see you are new diagnosed, anemic, and have been told to take Iron supplements - ?? )   That caught  my eye  (the iron part).   So I backed up and read some notes..... JmJm  (that's as far as I got going backwards)   is right .... let your hep doc tell you what he thinks about the iron labs because iron (making sure your liver is not storing too much) will be very important.  And so....just wanted to echo - be careful on iron supplements unless it's a hepatologist telling you to take them.   And welcome!   You have found a great place for support!    

[Pardesi108]

Hi everyone. I had been in sort of a daze. Just this evening I got online and was googling natural remedies for treating myself. Still living in denial. Maybe if I get my liver and immune system super strong I can beat this disease myself! But the more I read the more it sunk in that I need to bite the bullet and instead of running from accepting fully that I am infected, I am going to do a complete 180 and grit my teeth and fight back aggressively. I decided to do treatment as soon as possible and get this over with so I can get on with my life. I am scared of course of the side effects and how I will manage. A friend told me that treatment could possibly make me so bad that I should wait til my kids are older and moved out before I start because I will not be able to care for them as well (they are 13 and 17). I decided that as selfish as it sounds, I need them to help me if what the other person is saying about severity of treatments is true. They are the only family I have and we have been through hard times for a long time, so I don't feel like they can't handle it. I had a very bad 4 year relationship end late last year and was feeling fiercely protective about my heart and refused to look at anyone. Two weeks ago I met someone and it was like instant chemistry. He is sweeter to me than any man had ever been and he brings out the best in me. I have my first real date with him Saturday. Just him and I. I am heartbroken because I am going to have to tell him. I can not carry the guilt of hiding it from him. I am extremely attracted to him and vice versa, so intimacy is def. on the agenda. But I feel like poison is oozing out of every cell of my body. I cannot even bring myself to think about kissing him because even though I know sexual transmission is very low percentages, there is still a chance. And he prob won't know much about my disease, so there will be a stigma attached. I am going to tell him first thing when I see him. And put this off. It is very tragic. I cannot even bring myself to touch him because I feel like a leper. I could not live with myself if I passed this onto anyone else.

jmjm530, I am making an appointment tomorrow with a hepatologist. I am going in on the 28th for my ultrasound. They will be doing the abdomen and liver I guess, two different ultrasounds. Ya, thanks for the reinforcement to get treatment now rather than later. I will work on getting down to my ideal BMI. I am at 179 right now and my ideal BMI is 135. So got a ways to go. But I have become very highly active in the last few months, so hopefully I can make a dent in my overweightness. I will talk to the hepatologist about the iron. I will refrain from taking the iron supplements until I get his/her word.

Summer, I hope you get your answers soon. Please keep letting me know how you are doing. I finally had a breakdown tonight. I am going to  have a good cry one night and just get it out. I think tonight would have been the night but after I got home from my walk tonight from the store I sat down and was ready to let it out, but George Lopez was on TV and it was hard to feel bad. :)

Proactive, boy am I glad I found this place. I posted on Facebook looking for support and found out who my true friends were. I had to take all the info down. Not a good place to go looking for support from ignorant fearful people.

How are the side effects from the treatments? Are they really that bad? Is it low dose radiation? Will I lose my hair? I am not sure what to expect. Mostly being tired and depressed is what I am imagining. :(

jmjm530

[Bill1954]

Hi Pardesi,

It sounds like you’re taking the right steps to confront your disease. That d@mn George Lopez sure has bad timing huh? Didn’t he know you had a good cry planned last night :o)?

Treatment side effects vary from person to person; there’s really no way to predict how you’re going to react to the medication in advance. I gather from the folks in this forum that the majority of patients continue to work while on treatment, albeit at a reduced work schedule sometimes. Think working with a hangover, maybe? Sometimes it isn’t too bad, other times, you might want to pull the covers over yourself and sleep. My personal experience was fatigue; It wasn’t that I got really ill; but I could sleep like Rip Van Winkle :o).

Try not to worry too much in advance about your new relationship. Knowing men as well as I do, most of them won’t let a little thing like Hep C get in the way of intimacy. To put it bluntly, we’re a horny lot :o). If it concerns either one of you, a condom might be a good idea; HCV is seldom transmitted sexually, but it apparently *can* happen in rare instances. Other than that, try to enjoy life. I believe we do have a responsibility to make certain that our disease stops with us; you’re doing the right thing by disclosing this to him.

Good luck with the ultra sound scan; they’re pain free and I find them relaxing; kind of like a massage. Do keep in touch, and let us know how things go—

Bill