Hi everyone , thank you for all your contributions and for taking your time to read and reply.
I tested positive for HBV since 2020 and have never been on medication. I have been doing medical check up and I was told I don’t need treatment yet. Due to change in location/country I was not able to do any checkup for a year. Recently I did liver test , Fibroscan and viral load at Liver and digestive center here in the UK and doctor want to put me on medication (3 month prescriptions of TDF 245mg with follow up in 2 month)
May, 2023 results;
Viral load; 21148 IU
ALT; 35
Bilirubin: 21 (0-20)
ASP; 26 (10-45)
ALK; 89 (30-139)
October 2024 results ;
Liver stiffness; 5.5 and cap score of 232
Viral load; 14,226
ALT; 50
BMI- Normal
Age; 27
Gender; Male
Family history of cancer- No
Please with my results do I actually need treatment? I don’t have any symptoms at all. Please advise @ThomasTu@availlant
There are two approaches currently debated for chronic HBV:
Treat to control liver disease (North America / Western Europe). Here treatment is only started either when liver disease is evident (not you) or HBV DNA is > 20,000 IU/mL.
Treat to lower risk of liver cancer (Chinese guidelines). Here treatment is started when chronic HBV infection is present, regardless of viral load or the presence or absence of liver disease. Here your ALT is near or at the ULN so this may be your casem even though you are young and have no HCC family history.
Since antiviral therapy is very safe and effective (and is only one pill a day), I would favor option 2. However, this should be discussed with your physician.
Thank you very much@Availlant, I started my treatment today and I am also happy for the early treatment. I realized the increased in my ALT is due to alcohol intake which I already stopped completely. Thank you once again for your contribution to this community.