Hep C Discussion Forum

Matt Chris · Guru

RE: hello just got told i was +

bigmac73 · Member

thanks guys, I actually do not have my appt. with the gastro/liver specialist until the end of next month. right now I am dealing with exhaustion and gastro issues, and every day is a different day, some better than others.

plus I have on going pain in my lower back, but everybody just says it is from the weight gain from quitting smoking back in march, but I am not for sure, my regular doc said my kidney test are fine so it is probably skeletal and muscular....

who knows , so just trying to watch what I eat, and sticking to water most of the time.

Groupergetter · Guru

Mike,

Here is a link: http://gihep.com/calculators/hepatology/ast-to-alt-ratio/ that provides useful information about different liver functions and indicators. While the findings from plugging in lab results may not be totally accurate it gives a very good indication. When I plug in your ALT 93 and AST 56 it comes up with a ratio of .6 which is well below "1" which is considered indicative of cirrhosis. There are other useful indicator tools on this site as well (MELD, Fibrosis 4 etc). Remember this is just a calculator, actual status should be confirmed by your doctor(s) Take care, and good luck.

If you look under the Hepatology tab is lists all the available diagnostics. I just did my fibrosis 4 score while higher than I would like, it reflects me as being a "high 2 or low 3" My AST/ALT ratio for HCV is just over 1 which is indicative of cirrhosis.

Tess · Senior Member

Mike,

I know that you are probably very worried about your wife and hence your children, but sexual transmission is very rare if ever. The family should be checked, but my first HCV doc who specialized in infectious disease told me that in his years of treating HCV, none of his patients' spouses were co-infected. Studies of married couples back this up.

Neither my husband nor my daughter have HCV and we were together many years while I had the virus but didn't realize it. It's transmitted by blood, so follow the advice to not share razors, etc.

If you do have HCV, the treatments are so successful now. You are on the right path.

Best wishes,

- Tess

Tig · Admin

Hey Mike,

Your ALT and AST are elevated, so there's something going on. The rest of the tests are going to paint the picture much clearer. When you get them back let us know. In the meantime, here's a website that helps to explain these tests and those most often performed to diagnose liver problems. Don't stress, you'll be able to get this squared away (Go Navy!)

https://www.liverdoctor.com/liver/liver-function-tests/

bigmac73 · Member

So my initial tests have my ALT(SGOT) 56 and ALT(SGPT) 93, everything else in my lab test is in the normal range except where it states I have the hep c antibodies, so what do the number mean and are they really high or just above normal??

Groupergetter · Guru

Hi Mike,

Welcome, you've already received a sample of the great information and compassion shared on this incredible forum. While it's hard not to be concerned about the unknown, try not to get stressed. Await your lab results and if you are determined to have active HCV at least you'll know, and can plan a course of action. The meds available today are very effective and are relatively easy to tolerate. There is a wealth of information about this virus, treatment, side effects, and other aspects available on the forum. If you should test positive, most questions you have can be answered by using the search function.

It is probably best to curtail all alcohol and not share personal items (razors, toothbrush etc.) My wife of 42 years tested negative, so the odds are pretty good your wife won't have the virus. Whatever the results of your labs, good luck. Best wishes to you and your wife.

bigmac73 · Member

I want to thank everybody for the replies, and will post the results after my apt with the specialist and go from there ,

I will get my wife to read the posts and maybe it will give her some piece of mind, she went to the doc today and got some blood work done herself so we will wait and see

Thanks

Mike

fourlocos · Senior Member

I know it's a frightening thing to be told when you just went for routine blood work! We have all been there. I just wanted to say that my husband of 35 years never got it from me nor did either of my sons. Both born C section! And that is blood exposure for sure. I hope that eases some concerns your wife has. The people here are so supportive and can help you through your journey if you find you have to travel it.

Tig · Admin

Hi Mike,

Welcome to the forum! I would like to point out a few things, so you understand the process a bit better. First, the test you had done by the insurance company is what's known as the Hep C Antibody test. That is usually the first of two tests they run to find out if you have it. The antibody test only tells you that you were exposed to the virus. Until you have the Hep C RNA Viral Load test accomplished, you won't know for sure. With a positive antibody test, that tells you that you were exposed to it at some point in your life, how doesn't matter. The first 6 months following exposure, the disease develops into what they call the "Acute" phase. During that period your body's own immune system attacks the virus. There is a 20% chance that your own immune system defeated the virus on it's own. Regardless of whether you beat it then or beat it later with medication, you will always be positive for the Hep C antibody. So until your next test comes back, don't jump to conclusions. We have a member that just last week was in your position and the viral load test came back negative. His own immune system beat the virus. If you don't clear the virus during the acute phase, you go on to what's known as the "Chronic" phase. That's what most if not all of us here ended up with. You can have this disease for decades and not know it. I didn't find out for 16 years, treated once, failed and waited 17 more years to treat again. I beat it and am done.

My wife of 36 years is clean, my daughter is clean, so don't over stress on that. As Rob mentioned, get them tested, everyone should be tested these days. It's simple and provides peace of mind. The risk of sexual transmission to your wife is so low, it's almost nil. They don't even recommend you change your practices as long as you remain monogamous. HCV is passed by blood to blood contact. Don't share your personal grooming items, nail clippers, toothbrushes, etc.

You will get some additional testing to determine your liver function, etc., and if you are actively infected, they will assess your liver itself. There are a number of ways to determine the actual condition of your liver fibrosis, so you can cross that bridge if you need to. They're easy, hell, it's all easy compared to what it used to be like just two years ago. These new treatments are quick and effective. If you've got good insurance, you're way ahead of the game. Some companies are putting off treating people that aren't suffering from advanced liver disease, but that mindset is changing. The sooner people get this under control the better. But also know that this disease progresses very, very slow. Depending on your health, and liver condition, you may be able to wait. You and your doctor will make that decision after you get all of your results back. If the viral load test comes back undetected, you're done and this is over. Don't sweat it, either way you're going to get this handled and move on with your life.

How you got it doesn't matter. I got mine from unsterile tattoo work. Some get it as Rob mentioned from blood transfusions and IVDU. What matters is getting rid of it and you will, IF you have it. I'm leaving a link to some information, if you haven't seen it already. It'll help explain things better. Be sure to use our search function at the top, a keyword or two and you'll find topics discussed here on the forum. You have found a great place imo, lot's of good, caring people, more than willing to share their knowledge and a shoulder if you ever need one. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. I'm glad you're here Mike, you'll get this straightened out, don't worry about that.

HCV Factsheets

Brian1412 · Guru

Hi Mike,

Well, you came to the right place. Really, many of us have no idea the where for the most part. Many of us left a test and that is when it was discovered. Sexual transmission is very rare. transfusion before blood was tested for Hep C is a big one, IV drugs another. By all means have your wife be tested but she is most likely ok, as would be your Little ones. you want to make sure you don't share razors tooth brushes etc.

Read around the list and your will find a bunch of info on these things.

The good news is, the treatment for it is greatly advanced that is nothing like it was in the past, very effective, easy to take and the results are excellent! I will let others be more detailed, but just wanted to say hello and really, don't worry. I just had my end of treatment labs and it's gone.

Stick around, read thru the site, and I am sure many will reply and listen to them. You came to the right spot...

PEACE !

Brian

bigmac73 · Member

Hi,

My name is mike I am a 42 year old male , I recently did a biometric screening for some life insurance and I was told I got disapproved, so they sent me the copy of the Labs and it show I tested positive to HEP C, I went to my primary care last week he referred me to a Liver specialist , I am waiting to see him, my appointment is in a month.

I have no idea on when I might have contacted the virus, But I was a 20 sailor lots of risky sexy before I got married a few years ago, I was a IV drug user in my early 20's for a few years until I joined the navy and have had numerous medical procedures over the years including a couple of stitches in a third world country, and also have a couple of tattoos that are at least 15 years old....

I guess right know I am in LIMBO and the unknown, my primary care tells me that I should relax and that there are a lot of new and good meds out and that I have good insurance, he recommend that I use a condom from now on , and My wife is also going to get tested as well, I think she is concerned about my 3 girls and if she had contracted the virus and could she have passed it on to them?? My primary care doc said the sexual transmission is still up in the air??

I guess right now my biggest fear is the unknown damage already done to me liver and how long I have had this virus?? I am now starting to notice the symptoms maybe they are all psychosomatic since my diagnoses ??

any information or thoughts is greatly appreciated

Mike

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