Is a High HBV DNA Level of 15 Million Serious for My Health?
A HBV DNA level of over 15 million copies is considered very high and indicates a significant viral load. This can suggest active hepatitis B infection and may require further evaluation and management by a healthcare professional? Hello Dr. Li: I am 47 years old and have been a ...
Dr. Li Xuanshu Reply:
Hello Yy, 1. In your letter, you mentioned that your HBV DNA is over 15 million (is the unit IU/ml or copies/ml?). When assessing HBV DNA, it is important to evaluate the unit of measurement. Regardless of the unit, a level of over 15 million indicates a very high viral load. Ad...[Read More] Is a High HBV DNA Level of 15 Million Serious for My Health?
Pros and Cons of Spleen Embolization vs. Splenectomy for Hepatitis C
Splenic embolization or splenectomy? Hello Doctor: My mother needs to undergo interferon treatment for hepatitis C, but due to splenomegaly, her platelet count is too low. Therefore, the doctor has suggested either splenic embolization or splenectomy. I would like to inquire abou...
Dr. Lin Minghui Reply:
1. Splenic embolization is a procedure used to treat hypersplenism, which can lead to an increase in total white blood cell count and platelet count, as well as a reduction in portal hypertension and improvement in liver function. Compared to splenectomy, this procedure preserves...[Read More] Pros and Cons of Spleen Embolization vs. Splenectomy for Hepatitis C
When Should I Stop Taking Danazol for My Liver Condition?
Should I stop taking my medication for dry eye? Hello Doctor: My physician recommended that I take Entecavir. I have been taking expired Entecavir for 15 days, and my GPT levels have decreased from 1120 to 230 within two weeks. Currently, my e-antigen is positive, and my antibody...
Dr. Xu Jinchuan Reply:
Hello, is the method of taking Gan An Neng mentioned in the letter recommended by a physician? I haven't heard of this treatment approach before. Did the doctor suggest stopping the medication after 30 days? So far, the use of Gan An Neng should be at least one year, with th...[Read More] When Should I Stop Taking Danazol for My Liver Condition?
Managing Hepatitis C and Hyperthyroidism: Key Considerations for Patients
Hepatitis C + Hyperthyroidism Hello, earlier this year during my health check-up, I was diagnosed with hepatitis C and hyperthyroidism. I am currently undergoing treatment for hyperthyroidism, which has been ongoing for about three months. For hepatitis C, my family medicine doct...
Dr. Xu Jinchuan Reply:
Hello Cheng! 1. There is indeed a condition of hyperthyroidism, and if interferon treatment is administered, it may worsen the condition. It is recommended to achieve ideal control before proceeding with treatment. 2. As for the extent to which control is needed, this should be d...[Read More] Managing Hepatitis C and Hyperthyroidism: Key Considerations for Patients
Understanding Chronic Hepatitis B: Key Questions and Concerns
Am I considered a severe carrier of hepatitis B? Hello Doctor: First, I would like to share my family's medical history: My mother was once your patient and passed away at 55 due to severe jaundice, ascites, and cirrhosis caused by hepatitis B. My grandmother also died from ...
Dr. Xu Jinchuan Reply:
Hello! 1. To qualify for health insurance coverage, you need to have an e-antigen report. I'm not sure if you have been tested for this, as well as for Hepatitis C and Hepatitis D. Since your GPT level is above 200, if the e-antigen is positive and Hepatitis C and D infectio...[Read More] Understanding Chronic Hepatitis B: Key Questions and Concerns
Understanding Active Hepatitis B: Treatment Options and Next Steps
Hepatitis B carriers are actively infected with the virus? A 31-year-old male, originally a carrier of hepatitis B, discovered during a health check that his liver enzymes were excessively high, ranging from 400 to nearly 500. Further testing at a larger hospital revealed a very ...
Dr. Xu Jinchuan Reply:
Hello Jenny! 1. According to the doctor, 640 million → there was no unit provided for the test result. If the unit is copies/mL, then the viral load is very high. 2. A biopsy is recommended before treatment → Is interferon therapy suggested? If so, your physician may want to a...[Read More] Understanding Active Hepatitis B: Treatment Options and Next Steps
Understanding Active Hepatitis B Infection: A Guide for Patients
The original hepatitis B carrier currently has a very active viral infection? A 31-year-old male, who is a carrier of hepatitis B, underwent a health check and found that his liver enzymes were elevated, reaching nearly 500. Further tests at a larger hospital confirmed that he is...
Dr. Li Xuanshu Reply:
Hello Jenny! 1. According to the doctor, 640 million → without the testing unit attached, if the unit is copies/mL, then the viral load is very high. 2. A biopsy is needed before treatment → is it recommended to undergo interferon therapy? If so, your physician may want to app...[Read More] Understanding Active Hepatitis B Infection: A Guide for Patients
Understanding Active Hepatitis B Infection: A Guide for Patients
The hepatitis B virus infection is currently very active among carriers? A 31-year-old male, who is a carrier of hepatitis B, discovered during a health check that his liver enzyme levels were excessively high, ranging from 400 to nearly 500. Further tests at a larger hospital re...
Dr. Chen Jianhong Reply:
Hello Jenny! 1. According to the doctor, 640 million → without the unit of measurement attached, if the unit is copies/mL, then the viral load is very high. 2. A biopsy is recommended before treatment → Is interferon therapy suggested? If so, your physician may want to apply f...[Read More] Understanding Active Hepatitis B Infection: A Guide for Patients
Understanding Hepatitis C: Symptoms, Causes, and Recovery Insights
Symptoms? Dr. Lin... The previous report indicated that I tested positive for Hepatitis C virus antibodies (retesting required). It also mentioned that if marked positive, blood donation is not permitted. The normal result is negative, and the retesting is required when I intend ...
Dr. Lin Minghui Reply:
Hello: 1. A positive antibody test for the hepatitis C virus indicates a past infection with hepatitis C, and approximately 80% of individuals will develop chronic hepatitis. 2. Staying up late does not cause hepatitis C infection; hepatitis C is caused by infection with the h...[Read More] Understanding Hepatitis C: Symptoms, Causes, and Recovery Insights
Understanding Hepatitis C Antibodies: What You Need to Know
Hepatitis C antibodies! Hello, Dr. Chen! I have some questions to ask you: 1. When I donated blood, it indicated that further testing is required due to the presence of Hepatitis C antibodies. What are Hepatitis C antibodies? 2. How are Hepatitis C antibodies formed? Does stayi...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Hello Mr. SHADOW: A positive hepatitis C antibody test indicates that you have been infected with the hepatitis C virus in the past, but it does not necessarily mean that the virus is currently present (approximately 50-70% of cases). You may want to consult a gastroenterologist ...[Read More] Understanding Hepatitis C Antibodies: What You Need to Know
Understanding Acute Pancreatitis: Causes, Symptoms, and Management Tips
Acute pancreatitis Hello, Dr. Liu! I recently experienced an acute pancreatitis episode and was hospitalized for 10 days before being discharged. The doctors could not determine the cause. I do not drink alcohol and have no gallstones. I was vomiting and had diarrhea, and the abd...
Dr. Liu Nanshan Reply:
Vomiting and diarrhea, diagnosed with acute pancreatitis. No history of alcohol consumption and no gallstones, which is rare. It is necessary to refer to blood test results such as amylase or lipase, and possibly a CT scan for confirmation.[Read More] Understanding Acute Pancreatitis: Causes, Symptoms, and Management Tips
Understanding Interferon Treatment for Hepatitis C: What Happens Next?
After administering interferon for type C hepatitis? Dr. Chen: Hello, I started receiving interferon treatment and taking oral medication for about 5 weeks in August this year. During my follow-up appointment, the doctor informed me that if the virus load decreases by over 100 af...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Dear Mr. A-Qin, Currently, there is no consensus on the treatment options for recurrence after interferon therapy for hepatitis (of course, there is also no insurance coverage, except for liver protection medications). You may discuss with your physician the possibility of using...[Read More] Understanding Interferon Treatment for Hepatitis C: What Happens Next?
Understanding Elevated Fetal Protein Levels: What You Need to Know
Elevated fetal protein index? My husband recently had a health check at his company, which revealed an elevated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level of 65. He then went to the Gastroenterology Department at Tri-Service General Hospital for further evaluation, where his AFP level was aga...
Dr. Lin Minghui Reply:
Hello: The causes of elevated fetal protein levels include hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver cancer, or other tumors such as germ cell tumors and testicular inflammation, as well as pregnancy. Generally, if the fetal protein level exceeds 400, liver cancer should be suspected. In your ...[Read More] Understanding Elevated Fetal Protein Levels: What You Need to Know
Understanding Liver Cancer: Risks, Treatments, and Complications
Liver cancer Hello Dr. Hsu, I have some questions regarding my elderly family member (female) who has liver cancer (with tumors approximately 3 cm in size located on the right side and center of the abdomen), cirrhosis, hepatitis C, esophageal varices, thrombocytopenia (platele...
Dr. Xu Jinchuan Reply:
Hello, the case is quite complex and requires a review of detailed medical history to make a clear assessment. Has a physician suggested electrotherapy?[Read More] Understanding Liver Cancer: Risks, Treatments, and Complications
Conflicting Hepatitis C Test Results: What Should You Trust?
What are the test results? A few years ago, my husband went to donate blood, and the blood donation center sent a report stating that he tested positive for hepatitis C. We then went to a medical facility for a blood test, and the result was negative. Recently, my husband went ba...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Hello Fang-Yi, 1. Different testing methods/probabilities may lead to false positives or false negatives. 2. HCV RNA testing (self-paid, approximately 2500-3000 NTD) can confirm the presence of the hepatitis C virus. 3. It is presumed that your husband's infectiousness i...[Read More] Conflicting Hepatitis C Test Results: What Should You Trust?
Understanding Liver Health: Addressing Abdominal Discomfort and Concerns
Regarding issues related to the "liver" and "abdominal discomfort." Hello, Dr. Hsu. I would like to ask you a few questions and provide some context first. For the past four to five days, I have been experiencing some discomfort in the upper abdomen, particula...
Dr. Xu Jinchuan Reply:
Hello! The symptoms mentioned in the letter are not related to the liver. Since you do not have hepatitis B, it is likely that you do not have hepatitis C either (I'm not sure if you have been tested?). The probability of developing liver cancer is very low; however, if you ...[Read More] Understanding Liver Health: Addressing Abdominal Discomfort and Concerns
Understanding Hepatitis C Treatment: Key Questions and Considerations
Treatment for Hepatitis C Hello Dr. Lee, I have a few questions I would like to ask: 1. After about six months of testing, I have been diagnosed with hepatitis C (the doctor only mentioned a value of 205, so it's unclear whether it's acute or chronic). My first liver ...
Dr. Li Xuanshu Reply:
Hello! The current treatment principle for hepatitis C is that liver inflammation, indicated by GPT levels, exceeds twice the upper limit of normal values (the National Health Insurance Administration also requires a liver biopsy). The current condition can still be monitored, bu...[Read More] Understanding Hepatitis C Treatment: Key Questions and Considerations
Can Dried Mucus or Saliva Transmit Hepatitis B or C?
What is the transmission of hepatitis? Consulting a physician: Is dried phlegm, saliva, or nasal mucus infectious? If I accidentally touch dried phlegm, saliva, or nasal mucus from a person with hepatitis C or B (and I have a wound on my hand), is there a possibility of transmitt...
Dr. Chen Shidian Reply:
Hello Mr. Shan: There is a possibility, but it is generally low (if there is contact with an open wound), so there is no need to worry too much! Hepatitis B is primarily transmitted through blood. Changhua Hospital cares about your health. Chen Shidian[Read More] Can Dried Mucus or Saliva Transmit Hepatitis B or C?
How to Address Elevated Bilirubin Levels for Clearer Eyes
Hyperbilirubinemia Hello doctor, over the past year, I have been preparing for graduate school and have experienced long-term insomnia, which has caused my eyes to appear slightly greenish-yellow. I underwent tests and found out that I have elevated bilirubin levels, which is cau...
Dr. Cai Yaozhou Reply:
Seek medical attention as soon as possible. The physician will determine the cause of jaundice through the patient's medical history, physical examination, blood tests, and various imaging studies. This will lead to further treatment. Jaundice is an abnormal condition in whi...[Read More] How to Address Elevated Bilirubin Levels for Clearer Eyes
Can Hepatitis C Be Fatal? Understanding Risks and Testing Options
Can hepatitis C be fatal? Doctor Lin, I currently work at a hair salon. The other day, a client mentioned that she has hepatitis C. She also undergoes regular monitoring. While I was washing her hair and rinsing, I noticed a small, pinhole-sized wound that was bleeding just a lit...
Dr. Lin Minghui Reply:
1. Hepatitis C can be transmitted through blood. There is a possibility of infection if there is contact between wounds or if a wound comes into contact with blood from a person infected with Hepatitis C, but infection is not guaranteed. The incubation period for Hepatitis C is b...[Read More] Can Hepatitis C Be Fatal? Understanding Risks and Testing Options