I started the treatment six months ago when HBV DNA load at 4,400 iu/ml. At recent checkup, nothing else changed other than DNA load became undetected. It shows that Vemlidy is effective as expected. Just wondering what is the next? I assume continuing taking the medication and performing checkups every six months is the best option. My doctor did not suggest any change of treatment. I don’t know if anyone has different experience to share. Thanks!
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Hi, yes most people continue with the drug and have semiannual checkups with blood work + alpha fetoprotein. My doctor also orders an ultrasound screening once a year.
Good luck!
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Hi @sunfeng,
It is great to get to an undetectable status. For what is next, please have this conversation with your provider. They have enough about you and can develop a care plan with your involvement, of course. It is hard to advise here.
Keeps us posted. Best, Bansah1
As @Ace pointed out, many patients continue their treatment and remain in care.
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My doctor recommended the same thing as @Ace
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I have been on viread then Vemlidy for 26 yrs even ( all my HVBDNA ( undetectable) , Alfa feto protein <3 ultrasound every 6 months . Even that monitor , I developed liver cancer. So don’t stop what your doc prescribed to you. Only thing is make sure your weight is ideal and your A1c must be below 5.6 that may help to prevent your hep b to HCC ( that’s what my doc is suspicious)
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Dear @Ccheng8346,
Sorry to hear that. Did you go through surgery for HCC. How are you managing the situation?
How come you developed liver cancer despite taking the medication for so long? I find this very troubling. How are you doing now?
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I am doing very well. Follow up used to be every 3 months . It’s been three years and after this July I wlll be back to every 6 months surveillance . Need to lower my A1c to prevent re occurrence.
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My doctor is suspicious and I truly believed it that being overweight and A1c >5.6 can cause HCC in spite every blood test and tumor marker to be normal . Stay trim .
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Yes, it’s absolutely true that having elevated blood sugars (prediabetes or diabetes) is strongly associated with fatty liver disease, which is another risk factor for HCC. Hopefully you’re working on lowering your A1C levels. Even losing a small amount of weight can help a lot!
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My HCC is not due to NASH . My doctor explained to me if you have an extra fats, inflammation is present . I am trying to lose 3 more lbs , then it will be a total of 10 lbs before I get another A1c reading .
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I’m sorry you got liver cancer.
Are you saying you don’t have liver cancer now?
What treatment did have?
This is a huge worry.
That is not much weight at all. 4.5kg!
I hear of people losing 20,30 or more kgs.
What was your diet and lifestyle like?
If you don’t mind answering.
I’m troubled this has happened to you even though you were on treatment and getting check ups.
Hello
It’s great you are interested in looking after your liver.
Yes, doctors are not very forthcoming with details. In my opinion. “Your liver is fine.Next patient ”
I’m not a doctor but suggest not drinking or smoking. Be careful what you eat, drink. It all goes through the liver.
Stress affects the liver too.
We do have articles on nutrition, exercise etc.
sorry I can’t find the link
I ate a lot of junk loaded with sugar . Each time my weight weighs over 165 lbs , my liver is in trouble. I had liver cirrhosis. Then I lose weight and fully r recovered . After staying on healthy diet and exercise for 15 yrs , I had Covid once and gained weight over 160 lbs , that’s when lesion appears and MRI shows the lesion is to be at Lirad 5 . Surgery followed. I started on metformin 4 months ago and losing weight aiming to have an A1c of 5.6 or below .
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How did you get cirrhosis if not caused by HBV, or by NASH?
@availlant please help me explain this. How possible could this be?
It was stage 2 . It was 3 yrs ago .i had liver resection all my tumor marker are great plus all my blood test are in perfect condition . My doc is suspicious my A1c is at 6.2 so currently I am on metformin to lower my A1c . This may help I understand to prevent recoccurrence. Check what genotype HepB you got . C is pretty virulent
I think 
it maybe the liver cancer results after careful monitoring every six months.
I know I’m curious.
It’s not very comforting.
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