Hee hee Tig and I must have pushed buttons at the same time! C.
Canuck said
May 20, 2017
Hi there Jayne,
Welcome to the forum.
We'll try to help with your question.
First of all, it would be good to know ... has any doctor has ACTUALLY said to you, or your husband, that he DEFINATELY HAS chronic hep C??
That is the most important thing to clarify first.
When people get the "first" (initial) hep c "antibody" test, and if they test positive, a positive result does NOT necessarily mean you indeed have "chronic" hep C. It is possible (about 20% or so of the population) who have been exposed to hep c in the past, successfully get over the infection (this small percentage of the population can luckily go on to NOT have chronic hep c, but they will always test positive for the antibody).
If someone tests positive on their "initial hep c antibody test", another (second) test is required, usually a "HCV RNA PCR" test to determine whether you carry the hep c virus chronically, or not.
It is possible you (and he) may be unaware of how many hepc tests he has had, and what the result(s) mean. If a doc says your second test shows undoubtedly that he DOES have chronic hep c, that it has been confirmed by this "second PCR test" (that you have a measured amount of the hepc virus in your blood - and not just the antibody) then yes, he can expect to be treated.
You need the docs confirmation (and second test) as to whether he has chronic hep c, or not. A positive antibody test does not confirm you have chronic hepc.
We look forward to hearing more from you. C.
Tig said
May 20, 2017
Hi Karen,
Welcome! He needs additional testing before you make any conclusions. Has he tested positive for chronic HCV or just the antibody? We can't recommend or offer medical advice though, you need to work with a qualified specialist. After the preliminary testing, Hep A and B testing and immunization if required, there are periodic appointments for tests but not many. These are easy and effective treatments. If he is chronically infected, there has never been a better time to treat.
The liver enzymes fluctuate, but the damage from the virus is progressing, on it's schedule. Normal enzymes doesn't mean a person is in the clear. There are times when the virus will flare up, and those enzymes will elevate. Sometimes they correct, often times they stay elevated. That's a sign of inflammation and damage.
It might take 10+ years for damage to start. You never know. Many of us had been packing that beast around for 20-40 years. Some squeaked by with minimal damage, some have decompensated cirrhosis and HCC. So the testing and discussions with the doctor are the best place to find out if waiting is a good idea. I think if he can get approved for treatment now, do it. No time better than today.
Have you been tested? You should, it's very simple. Please stay in touch.
My husband found he's hep c positive but his liver enzymes are normal he has been in jail for seven months then mental instition for year. Does he need to be treated I have been married to him. Over 25 years he is 56
Hee hee Tig and I must have pushed buttons at the same time!
C.
Hi there Jayne,
Welcome to the forum.
We'll try to help with your question.
First of all, it would be good to know ... has any doctor has ACTUALLY said to you, or your husband, that he DEFINATELY HAS chronic hep C??
That is the most important thing to clarify first.
When people get the "first" (initial) hep c "antibody" test, and if they test positive, a positive result does NOT necessarily mean you indeed have "chronic" hep C. It is possible (about 20% or so of the population) who have been exposed to hep c in the past, successfully get over the infection (this small percentage of the population can luckily go on to NOT have chronic hep c, but they will always test positive for the antibody).
If someone tests positive on their "initial hep c antibody test", another (second) test is required, usually a "HCV RNA PCR" test to determine whether you carry the hep c virus chronically, or not.
It is possible you (and he) may be unaware of how many hepc tests he has had, and what the result(s) mean. If a doc says your second test shows undoubtedly that he DOES have chronic hep c, that it has been confirmed by this "second PCR test" (that you have a measured amount of the hepc virus in your blood - and not just the antibody) then yes, he can expect to be treated.
You need the docs confirmation (and second test) as to whether he has chronic hep c, or not. A positive antibody test does not confirm you have chronic hepc.
We look forward to hearing more from you. C.
Hi Karen,
Welcome! He needs additional testing before you make any conclusions. Has he tested positive for chronic HCV or just the antibody? We can't recommend or offer medical advice though, you need to work with a qualified specialist. After the preliminary testing, Hep A and B testing and immunization if required, there are periodic appointments for tests but not many. These are easy and effective treatments. If he is chronically infected, there has never been a better time to treat.
The liver enzymes fluctuate, but the damage from the virus is progressing, on it's schedule. Normal enzymes doesn't mean a person is in the clear. There are times when the virus will flare up, and those enzymes will elevate. Sometimes they correct, often times they stay elevated. That's a sign of inflammation and damage.
It might take 10+ years for damage to start. You never know. Many of us had been packing that beast around for 20-40 years. Some squeaked by with minimal damage, some have decompensated cirrhosis and HCC. So the testing and discussions with the doctor are the best place to find out if waiting is a good idea. I think if he can get approved for treatment now, do it. No time better than today.
Have you been tested? You should, it's very simple. Please stay in touch.
Hep C Info
My husband found he's hep c positive but his liver enzymes are normal he has been in jail for seven months then mental instition for year. Does he need to be treated I have been married to him. Over 25 years he is 56