Managing a 5cm Liver Hemangioma with Existing BC Liver: Best Strategies
The patient has a pre-existing hepatitis B infection and now presents with a liver hemangioma measuring over 5 centimeters. What should be done? You have a history of hepatitis B and now have a liver hemangioma measuring over 5 centimeters. What should be done in terms of treatme...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Hello to those who want to live healthily. Don't worry, the two are unrelated. As long as you cooperate with the gastroenterology follow-up examinations and receive medication treatment when necessary, you can rest assured. Changhua Hospital cares about your health. Dr. Chen...[Read More] Managing a 5cm Liver Hemangioma with Existing BC Liver: Best Strategies
Understanding Rising AFP Levels in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients
Hepatitis B carrier with an abnormal rise in AFP to 588? Hello Doctor: I am a carrier of hepatitis B. My current status is as follows: AST 23, ALT 28, AFP 583. I have undergone abdominal ultrasound, CT, and MRI, but the reason for the continuous increase in AFP remains unclear. M...
Dr. Lin Minghui Reply:
Hello: 1. Elevated AFP levels are commonly caused by chronic hepatitis, acute hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Tumors that frequently secrete AFP include pancreatic tumors, gastric tumors, colorectal tumors, and bronchial tumors, as well as pregnancy in women and tes...[Read More] Understanding Rising AFP Levels in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients
Managing Elevated Viral Load and Liver Enzymes in Hepatitis B Patients
Viral load, GOT, and GPT levels surge? Dear Director, I have hepatitis B and previously underwent treatment with "Interferon" and "Lamivudine" for three years. Since the treatment period covered by health insurance has ended, I have stopped taking the medicat...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Hello Mr. Yang, please enhance your follow-up and apply for medication control at the appropriate time as instructed. If you are willing to deviate from the regulations and pay out of pocket for medication, you may use Huilituo for treatment. Interferon is also another option, bu...[Read More] Managing Elevated Viral Load and Liver Enzymes in Hepatitis B Patients
Understanding Liver Aneurysms: Treatment Options and Recommendations
Hepatic artery aneurysm Doctor, I have a question: I have a liver artery aneurysm that is about 2 centimeters in size. I do not have hepatitis B or C. What treatment do I need to undergo?
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Hepatic adenomas rarely present as aneurysms, but are more commonly associated with hemangiomas (caused by microvascular proliferation). The former requires vascular imaging treatment, while the latter only needs annual follow-up. Changhua Hospital cares about your health. Dr. Ch...[Read More] Understanding Liver Aneurysms: Treatment Options and Recommendations
Understanding Abnormal Liver Enzymes: What You Need to Know
Abnormal liver function tests? Dear Dr. Lin, I hope this message finds you well. Recently, the company sent out the health check report for April, and I noticed some abnormalities in my liver function tests, which has caused me some concern. I would appreciate your assistance in...
Dr. Lin Minghui Reply:
Abnormal liver function tests, although not significantly elevated, require investigation to determine the cause and to monitor for chronic Hepatitis B or C. Common causes of liver function abnormalities include fatty liver, alcohol consumption, metabolic syndrome, weight gain, e...[Read More] Understanding Abnormal Liver Enzymes: What You Need to Know
Understanding Abnormal Fetal Protein Levels: Next Steps for Evaluation
Abnormal fetal protein levels Hello! I am a carrier of hepatitis B and have been regularly undergoing blood tests and ultrasound examinations. In my recent adult health check-up, my blood test results showed GOT at 28 and GPT at 37, but the alpha-fetoprotein screening result was ...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Hello Tiantian, please discuss the examination details (such as CT scans) with your physician or closely monitor the changes in your values. Changhua Hospital cares about your health. Dr. Chen Shidian.[Read More] Understanding Abnormal Fetal Protein Levels: Next Steps for Evaluation
Pain Relief and Steroid Use for Hepatitis B Carriers: What to Avoid
Precautions for Hepatitis B Dear Doctor, as a carrier of Hepatitis B, which types of pain relievers and steroids should be avoided? Thank you.
Dr. Lin Minghui Reply:
Hello: Pain relievers can be categorized into addictive pain medications such as morphine and non-addictive pain medications (1. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin, 2. Acetaminophen, commonly known by the brand name Tylenol, 3. Steroids, etc.). Proper use...[Read More] Pain Relief and Steroid Use for Hepatitis B Carriers: What to Avoid
Can Weight Loss and Silymarin Help Improve Fatty Liver Disease?
Fatty liver disease issues? 1. Can weight loss improve fatty liver disease? If fatty liver has caused an increase in liver enzymes, is medication necessary for treatment? 2. Additionally, is the medication SILYMARIN effective for treating fatty liver disease? Can it be prescrib...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Hello, Lai. 1. Fatty liver, if excluding the presence of hepatitis B/C or alcoholic liver disease, is primarily caused by fat accumulation. Weight loss should be the main focus. 2. Currently, the effectiveness of medications is limited, but they can reduce some damage. 3. If ...[Read More] Can Weight Loss and Silymarin Help Improve Fatty Liver Disease?
Understanding Hepatitis B Transmission and Gastrointestinal Concerns
Hepatitis issues Hello, doctor: How is hepatitis B transmitted? What should I do if there is a small polyp in the colon? Thank you.
Dr. Cai Anshun Reply:
Hello: 1. The transmission routes of Hepatitis B include blood transmission (be cautious with the use of needles, acupuncture, tattoos, eyebrow tattoos, nail clippers, etc.) and sexual contact transmission. 2. It is recommended to remove polyps or perform polypectomy, along with ...[Read More] Understanding Hepatitis B Transmission and Gastrointestinal Concerns
Understanding Hepatitis B Vaccination: Concerns and Recommendations for Parents
Hepatitis B vaccine Hello, Director: My child had a negative hepatitis B antibody test during a high school health check-up, so we took them to the hospital to receive a complete course of the hepatitis B vaccine, which consists of three doses (not just an additional dose of the ...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Hello APPLE, 1. Generally, non-medical personnel do not need to receive additional vaccine doses. 2. If an additional dose is required, antibody testing should be conducted one month later to determine if further doses (2nd or 3rd) are necessary. Therefore, it is recommended t...[Read More] Understanding Hepatitis B Vaccination: Concerns and Recommendations for Parents
Can Hepatitis B Medications Heptavir and Tenofovir Be Taken Together?
Can Huileitong be taken in combination with Ganshin? Hello Dr. Chen: I have heard that the antiviral oral medication "Hepcludex" should not be taken in combination with "Tenofovir" and should also not be used with Truvada or Atripla. My doctor has prescribed m...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Hello Mr. Su, it is indeed uncommon to use both Harvoni and Daclatasvir together, unless there is prior research on the viral RNA resistance mutation points. Generally, Harvoni alone is sufficient. The rate of disappearance of the E antigen is inherently slow. Please continue you...[Read More] Can Hepatitis B Medications Heptavir and Tenofovir Be Taken Together?
Understanding Hepatitis B Antibody Results: Vaccination Guidance for Parents
Hepatitis B antibodies Hello Dr. Chen: My daughter had a school health check-up, and her hepatitis B antibody test result was positive at 17, indicating a weak positive. It is recommended that she receive a booster vaccine. The hepatitis B antigen result was negative at 0.5 (<...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Hello, Mrs. Lin. 1. There are no regulations requiring the general public to receive booster vaccinations. 2. For those who wish to receive a booster on their own, one dose is sufficient for effectiveness. Antibody levels should be checked approximately one month after vaccina...[Read More] Understanding Hepatitis B Antibody Results: Vaccination Guidance for Parents
Understanding Your Liver Health: Interpreting HBsAg and HBsAb Results
Interpretation of the Examination Report Hello, doctor. In my previous health check report, there were several data points as follows: HBsAg result 0.00 (-), reference value <0.05; HBsAb result 328.8 (+), reference value <10. Since the HBsAb result of 328.8 (+) is not less ...
Dr. Cai Anshun Reply:
Hello: The {s} in HBsAg represents the surface antigen of the hepatitis B virus. Your value is 0, indicating that you are not a carrier of hepatitis B. HBsAb represents the antibodies for hepatitis B, and your value is 328.8, indicating that you have immunity against hepatitis B....[Read More] Understanding Your Liver Health: Interpreting HBsAg and HBsAb Results
Managing Hepatitis B: How to Reduce Viral Load and Treatment Options
How to reduce the viral load in hepatitis B? Hello Dr. Chen, I have been living with Hepatitis B for over ten years. My liver enzyme levels are 55 and 35, and my viral load is 100,000. An ultrasound showed a 0.6 cm white spot. Can I apply for health insurance coverage for Baraclu...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Hello, Xiao Jiang. 1. For the application of medication for hepatitis B, it is essential to provide proof of a medical history of more than 6 months, with GPT levels greater than 80 for over 3 months. 2. Baraclude is one of the two first-line medications in the world. It has m...[Read More] Managing Hepatitis B: How to Reduce Viral Load and Treatment Options
Understanding Hepatitis B Vaccine Response: When to Revaccinate?
Hepatitis B vaccine issues? If there is no antibody response to the hepatitis B vaccine, is it necessary to receive additional doses? How many doses should be administered? I had no response to the hepatitis B vaccine during my elementary school examination, and last year, the te...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Hello Ms./Mr. Lai, 1. If there are no antibodies detected one month after the first booster dose, you can check again after receiving the second and third doses. 2. If antibodies are still absent, we should consider the possibility of a hidden hepatitis B carrier status or swi...[Read More] Understanding Hepatitis B Vaccine Response: When to Revaccinate?
Understanding Elevated SGOT Levels: Concerns and Solutions for Liver Health
Elevated phenylalanine transaminase levels? Hello Dr. Chen, I am a middle school student. Recently, I have been going to bed around 11 PM. A few days ago, my school conducted a health check, and I was found to have elevated levels of "aspartate aminotransferase" (SGOT) ...
Dr. Chen Qifeng Reply:
Hello: There are many reasons for abnormal liver function, and further examination by a hepatobiliary and gastroenterology specialist is necessary. A higher concentration of hepatitis B antibodies is better, indicating sufficient immunity and is unrelated to abnormal liver functi...[Read More] Understanding Elevated SGOT Levels: Concerns and Solutions for Liver Health
Understanding Liver Lesions: What Do Black Spots Mean?
Liver spots issue? Hello Dr. Lin, my mother is a carrier of hepatitis B. Recently, she underwent a follow-up ultrasound examination of her liver, and the doctor mentioned that there are small black spots approximately 1.5 cm on her liver. Subsequently, tests for ALT, AST, and alp...
Dr. Lin Minghui Reply:
Hello: Hepatitis B carriers require regular follow-up. An abdominal ultrasound shows a black spot approximately 1.5 cm, which may be due to causes such as fibrous nodules, cysts, small tumors, or early-stage liver cancer. The levels of AST, ALT, and AFP are normal, indicating no ...[Read More] Understanding Liver Lesions: What Do Black Spots Mean?
Understanding Hepatitis B: Should You Worry About a Detected Polyp?
Ultrasound examination for hepatitis B? I am a carrier of hepatitis B and have had it since childhood. I go for an ultrasound every six months to a year. Recently, during my ultrasound, a very small polyp was found. Both the ultrasound doctor and the outpatient doctor said it is ...
Dr. Lin Minghui Reply:
Hello: Gallbladder polyps generally do not present symptoms. They should be monitored for changes in shape, size, and gallbladder wall. Sometimes, polyps that are too small may not be clearly visible. Typically, gallbladder polyps that are 1 cm or larger have a potential risk for...[Read More] Understanding Hepatitis B: Should You Worry About a Detected Polyp?
Understanding Elevated Liver Enzymes: Causes and Treatment Options
Liver enzyme levels are very high? On October 9th, I had a blood test at the clinic, which revealed elevated liver enzymes: r-GTP 311, sGOT 55, and sGPT 63. The doctor mentioned that it is alcoholic hepatitis. However, I had consumed a lot of sorghum liquor a couple of days prior...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Hello, Zhiming. 1. Abstain from alcohol for 3 months before the examination. 2. Hepatitis B and C should also be ruled out. 3. Avoid traditional Chinese medicine or herbal remedies. 4. Health supplements are not necessary; a balanced diet is sufficient. Changhua Hospital c...[Read More] Understanding Elevated Liver Enzymes: Causes and Treatment Options
Can You Develop Liver Cancer Without Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B and Liver Cancer Hello, doctor: May I ask if it is possible to develop liver cancer without having hepatitis B? Thank you!
Dr. Chen Qifeng Reply:
Hello: The risk factors for liver cancer include: 1. Hepatitis B 2. Hepatitis C 3. Liver cirrhosis 4. Family history, etc. Therefore, the absence of Hepatitis B does not mean one will not develop liver cancer. Wishing you health, Dr. Chen Qi-Feng, Taoyuan Hospital, Department of ...[Read More] Can You Develop Liver Cancer Without Hepatitis B?