I think you are the right person to ask this question. I found out last summer that the hepatitis I was so sick with in 1972 was really C, not B, as I was told at that time. 5 years ago, and last summer, my liver function tests were normal and my "viral load" was "undectable." I've never had any symptoms of any kind of liver inflammation after 1972. In 1972, my parents' doctor put me in the hospital and shot me full of gamma globulin, iron and vitamin B shots and made me eat 5 meals a day for 10 days. I got the Hep C from Contra Costa County Blood Bank in 1972. My counts were (I guess) normal after a few months because I never heard any more about it and Dr. Escamilla was a personal friend of my parents and my mother was on top of the whole situation. I remember having blood tests after the hospital stay. Hopefully, I cleared the virus at that time. Dr. Escamilla has passed away and there are no records from Ralph K. Davies Medical Center from 1972, so I have no access to my records now. My question for you is this: if you were me, would you want a liver biopsy just for peace of mind? Or should I just not worry about anything? THANK YOU!

Under the current standard of care, a physician would not order a biopsy. There is some risk to a biopsy and there is no indication of liver disease that would warrant the test.

DO, however, have your enzymes monitored once per year and continue to have the PCR done every other year or so. This is to track any changes that might occur.

DO keep copies of your own medical records by asking for a copy of lab tests from your doctor or the lab. I understand you can even order your own lab tests online these days and go to a lab and have blood drawn.

Do continue to take care of your health by eating well, exercising and getting enough rest.

Don't smoke or drink alcohol ever again. We don't know what can cause the virus to "come to life," but compromising your immune system is tempting fate.

Don't worry. You have an excellent prognosis with these results (the best we can measure at this time) They are what every patient hopes for.

I hope this helps,

t hanbey

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[This message has been edited by thanbey (edited 03-25-2002).]

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