My two most recent blood tests revealed that my liver values are poor, despite being on medication. My doctor recommends that I get blood tests again in October. However, this is going to be difficult because I’m going to be abroad for two months around that time. The next blood test with my own doctor is scheduled for December. Should I go to see a doctor when I’m abroad and ask for blood tests? Personally, I don’t see the point of this: I’m already taking medication (Tenofovir) and don’t have any symptoms of liver disease so what’s the point of another blood test in October? I’m getting really tired of all this testing when there is no cure in sight. All it does is increase my anxiety and make me depressed.
Hi @Barry,
I hear and do empathize with you. I am sorry to hear that this is having such a toll on you. It gets overwhelming pretty quickly. Do you know specifically which tests had poor values? Have you had this conversation with your doctor, letting them know you will be out of the state, and what they recommend? If not yet, I will encourage you to talk to your doctor about this and see what they recommend.
I know and understand how impactful these abnormal lab results can be on our mental health. Nobody likes bad news. It is easy for us to give up, because it is tiring and sometimes overburdening. We have to try and hold on as best as we can, even amid such situations as you are sharing. Bansah1
I echo @Bansah1’s sentiments, this sounds like the continuous testing is really impacting you, as it does many of us. I agree that the point of testing is not clearly provided to many of us patients, but it is important to keep an eye out on what could be happening and what factors could be driving additional liver disease on top of HBV - we know that additional liver conditions, such as fatty liver or Hep C, can be made worse by existing hep B infections. These tests give you a heads-up so that appropriate changes can be made to prevent any ongoing liver damage.
I agree with what’s been said here. I’m curious which tests had poor values? Was it your liver enzymes, or was it imaging like an ultrasound or a fibroscan that showed potential liver damage? How is your body responding to tenofovir? If your viral load is undetectable (or at least close to that), yet your liver enzymes are still high, that’s when you need to start thinking about other causes of liver disease like hepatitis C and D, fatty liver disease, etc.
That being said, I think it’s probably fine for you to travel abroad for 2 months. It feels to me that in your situation, you should be okay to get your liver tests done every 3 months, so I do think you can coordinate it so that you get tests done before you leave, and then when you come back.
Hello all and thanks for your responses. It’s my liver enzyme values which are poor. Everything was fine until another doctor who I went to for a second opinion last year told me (on the basis of my blood tests) that I could stop taking the medication. He was wrong, because after six months of being off the medication (Tenofovir), the viral load shot up (it has been undetectable) and my liver enzyme values deteriorated. My most recent blood test was last week so I don’t see the point of another one in October when I’m overseas. I’d rather wait until December. Such frequent testing seems so pointless when I’m already on medication and even if the values continue to deteriorate there’s probably nothing else that can be done to improve them.
Hi @Barry,
If you don’t mind my asking, when you say poor values, do you mean off by 10 or 20, or are we talking about something in the hundreds or thousands? I won’t be surprised if you are getting these tests done frequently because of the liver enzyme values being abnormal and the doctor trying to keep tabs on things to make sure nothing else is happening. Hepatitis B is a very complex virus, as we have all come to understand. It can change without any warning, making it very tricky even for those of us on treatment.
We are indeed on medications, but that is not a guarantee that our liver won’t have other problems, either related to HBV or not. That is why we keep up with these tests. Without them, it will be impossible to tell whether something has changed about our condition, and catching it on time leads to better treatment options and prognosis. It is demanding, mine is just around the corner lol. Share this with your doctor, and I believe there may be a better way to do this so it does not continue to affect you. Please let us know how we can support you as you process all this. We are here for you, and you are not alone. Keep up with all the good work you are doing despite the situation. Best, Bansah1
Thanks for providing a bit more context to your case. These blood tests are important to make sure that the restarting of antivirals are effectively protecting your liver and lowering your liver enzymes. If they are not, then measures can be taken (e.g., altering the type of antiviral you are taking).
I don’t know because I haven’t seen the results on paper. To be honest, I’m just sick to death of living with this virus. When a person has no symptoms, it all feels like a massive mindfuck. And the fact that no doctor ever recommended the vaccine to me just makes my blood boil.
Completely understandable to feel this way, @barry. I’m sorry that things are so shit for you. I hope it gets better over time. Please keep us up to date with how you’re going and remember you’re not alone in your journey.