Dear @ThomasTU, am following up the conversation. Since his HepB core antibody is negative and he might have gotten it in the last three or more months, what if his HepB core antibody was positive ? Does this mean the infection is new, let’s say one or two months?
Am asking this because my HepB core antibody is positive
This were my results a month ago
And this is my current test result performed today
Your advise would be of great help. Thanks in advance
Hi @Opa,
Your results for ALT/AST are within normal range. Different labs use different standard range, but ALT normal range is between 0-42 and AST is between 0-40.The standard normal range for your results was 0-37 for AST and 0-42 for ALT. And from the results, your ALT was 68 from last month while AST was 27. But from this months result your ALT is 26 and AST is 20. This is great. Have you had your HBV Viral load/DNA checked? Your liver function test looks great. I hope this is helpful. Best, Bansah1.
Dear @Agibaby,
It depends:
A positive IgM anti-Hep B Core antibody test indicates recent exposure
A positive total anti-Hep B Core antibody indicates past exposure of any kind (i.e. could be decades ago).
Hope this helps.
Dear @12345678,
This is a qualitative test, which basically gives a yes/no answer- if it is above the reference interval, then it is positive, if below it is negative. Not much can conclusively be said about what a larger or smaller signal, and it doesn’t really affect clinical decisions/management.
Hope this helps,
Thomas
So basically the value given has no meaning at all, you can’t say the Number is close to negative or the number is very high, its just either negative or positive. Does it make sense. Sorry if i sound stupid, but it is so so important for me, it has something to do with my job career.
Thanks.
Hi @ThomasTu , thank you for answering my question.
Dear @12345678,
If a value is close to the cut-off, then there is greater chance for a false negative or false positive result. Other than this, it is difficult to interpret any more from the numbers provided by a qualitative test.
Hope this helps,
Thomas
please can someone help me and explain ?
Hi Lindah,
I agree the way these results have been given to you could be confusing. In the test column for AST, ALT and ALP, the printed normal ranges (i.e. 0-12 U/L for AST) are certainly not correct. The person who has written in your test result for these liver enzymes has also indicted the correct normal range for these tests.
Your AST, ALT and ALP are normal, as well as your bilirubin results.
Hope this helps.
Thank you very much sir
Yea this explanation was really helpful 
2 posts were merged into an existing topic: Hep B and Transmission to baby
Dear Experts, @ThomasTu, @availlant
I am on medication for the past two years and although my blood test seemy to be overall positive (ALT, AST; GGTP) but there is a clear trend downwards in quick blood value:
Dear @Natti ,
What is your latest HBV DNA result?
These numbers are really borderline elevated so they are not really cause for concern. You could come back in a week or two and these numbers may differ from these (to a small degree). This is the nature of serial blood test monitoring. There is normally wobble in the readings over time. Things like drinking alcohol or even seasonal infections can have mild impacts on liver function tests.
What you should consider again is the development of a clear trend over time. These are things you can discuss with your physician.
Best regards,
Thank you, @availlant. The virus is not detectable. It seems the medication is working.
The problem is the result come in a week after testing (I always ask to have them sent through per email) but the next appointment is in three months time… it seems like a long time without having the answer to what may be causing the quick value to drop. Thank you.
Hi @Natti,
With your HBV DNA very well controlled, I really would not worry about these other results.
Best regards,
@availlant , thank you, but isnt it a clear sign that my liver is starting to not cope?
I think I am a somewhat special case because the medication reduced the viral load immediately to undetectable but had no effect on ALAT and ASAT for the first 10 months - they basically didnt budge at all. I am not sure if ALAT and AST going back to normal levels can be attributed to Tenofovir at all… after 10 months of use or maybe it is the course of the disease (ALAT, ASAT flares?). There is this trend in Quick blood value and fluctuations in bilirubin. It seems like a never ending story. I honestly start to think that I should just never look at the results again because it is counter productive… Thank you so much for all your answers.
Hi all,
So after two years, I went for checkup again.
echo abdominal scan = OK
ASAT = normal
Outside of normal range are:
ALAT = 51 , normal range should be < 45 U/L
bilirubine = 26, normal range should be < 17 umol/L
Viral load = pending, after two weeks
Don’t feel any pain.
I have read that exercise can increase level of alat,asat and bilirubine, I did do some moderate weight lifting that week.
Doctor said, we have to wait for viral load results.
Br,
Hi @hepb1,
Keep up the good work. The ALTs/ASTs numbers can fluctuate from time to time. Even though 51 is abnormal it can go higher for some people. Exercise can surely increase it, but still yours seem not to be very far off from normal. You are doing the right thing by staying monitored. I understand it can feel a lot at times but you are doing great. Best, Bansah1.
