REPOST
Dear Thomas and Other Hep B Survivors,
Context: Past results since March 2021:
- HBsAg Screen: Confirmed “positive abnormal” from the blood bank results.
- Hep B Core Ab, Igm: Negative
- Hep B Surf Ab Quant: <3.1. (Low).
- Hep B Core Ab, Tot: Positive Abnormal (reference range: negative)
I have not yet been advised to take medications. I see my gastroenterologist in June as a precautionary measure and for “peace of mind” (recent colonoscopy was fine) and I visit my primary next week. My primary noted that my past 2 years of blood work have been normal, including liver enzymes and tests for cancers and diabetes because I WAS obese 3 years ago.
Now I have new results, updates, and some questions.
New test results: HBV DNA RealTime Abbott
Hep B Quantitation: 320 IU/mL
HBV log10: 2.505 log10 IU/mL
- Are these numbers a positive sign? hopeful? concerning? dangerous?
- Do these numbers help me to understand how long I have had the virus (e.g., 3 months, 1 year, 10 years, 25 years, since birth)? I am 52 and was diagnosed March 2021 by a blood bank donation.
- Do these numbers help me to understand if I can transmit the virus?
- Do these numbers provide any hope of one day being in that miraculous group where the infection can “spontaneously clear itself from the body” (FAQs about Hep B by Immunization Action Coalition, St. Paul, MN).
As a side note, for the past 2 years prior to diagnosis, I have been eating more healthy, exercising regularly, losing weight, and doing more mindful breathing exercises. I’ve never been a smoker nor do I consume “hard” alcohol and I might have a glass of sweet wine once every few months. But…
I have a history of high blood pressure (as do family) and I take medication for cholesterol and potassium. My grandfather died of prostate cancer and grandmother died, I believe, from liver cancer. I am not sure of all the illnesses my parents had before they died.
As always, thank you for patience, listening, and sharing.