D,
Welcome to the forum. Funny, my name starts with a "D" too! Like you, I discovered my Hep B when I was... yes, 36! Unfortunately, mine was a chronic infection that went "active". Thankfully, when it goes active, it's the best time to treat it! The site they are referring to, is here. It gives you more detail:
http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/hepatitis-b/tab/test/
You will definitely need the additional tests, such as the e-Antigen and e-Antibody test. This will tell you more as to whether or not it is chronic. Not only will you need those tests, but you'll need to follow up with the GI or Hepatologist every month for the first 2-3 months to make sure the viral load is not going up (aka mutating or replicating).
If it is, then you have an active infection -- and if it's active chronic, then make sure you try to push the doctor to get you on meds ASAP. My GI doctor dropped the ball on this one for me, wanted to wait a year. I ended up seeing a Hep B Specialist who put me on treatment via clinical trial. The best treatment for it, is Tenofovir (aka Viread). It's the most potent one. The rumor is that if you do this treatment for 3-5 years and then add on Interferon, there is a 91% chance you clear Hep B. Hopefully, before then, they will have the "cure drug" out for Hep B because interferon I heard was pretty brutal.
As far as your liver, it's good the numbers are down but you have to be careful. You could still have cirrhosis without an ultrasound picking it up, even if your numbers are low. The only way you would know is through liver biopsy. But chances are, you won't need one but I'd suggest a Fibroscan. I'd do a full Hep B blood work-up too, which includes a Vitamin D check (us Hep B guys are deficient, you want to be over 50nL) as well a FIBROTest, Figuring out what Genotype you are and the HbSAg in quantitative so it can determine where you are (if it's under 1,000 then they may suggest interferon) . You may want to get Bone Density Checked too, as chronic cases can lose it bone mass, especially if Vitamin D is deficient.
I know this is all crazy and a lot but just sit tight and be patient. Rumor has it the cure drug can be out as early as 2015 and the Phase II clinical trial results will be out within a month or so. To answer some other questions:
-You are contagious no matter what. However, you are LESS contagious if you e-Antigen is negative (like mine, thank Goodness!)
-Nobody can tell you how long you have had this, not even the doctors. I was told there are certain tests that can be done to determine this but they are expensive and not worth doing.
-People that don't know how they got it, usually got it from birth. Like you, my mother passed away from a brain issue (aneurysm) so I unfortunately can't ask her. We were born in the 70s, when vaccination was not possible yet and drugs and such were at it's peak, so it could have came from anywhere or anyone the first 5 years of your life, when your immune system was weak.
-A weakened immune system could cause the flare up, or even make it active. This is what happened with me. I'm just not sure how or why my immune system was weakened (I suspect either heavy drinking or allergy testing).
-Speaking of drinking, if you do any of it.. I'd stop now! It will only help down the road. I'm 2 months sober and while I miss having the drink, I actually don't want one any time soon until I'm cured!
-You might want to take some vitamins to help with your immune system. Vitamin D3, 10,000iu is recommended for chronic Hep B patients. It's ok to take Zinc, Selenium, Vitamin K2, Magnesium and some B Vitamins as well. Most of it is great for the Immune System. Depending on your Vitamin D levels, 10,000iu daily could be mandatory. My GI doctor wanted me to only do 1,000 daily.. mine was down to 14nL. 5 more points lower and I'd have been on death bed. Did 10,000iu and I'm almost at max and strength has returned a lot and this is now also my maintenance level.
Also, do you get any vague itching on your legs anywhere? How about
any slight pain on your right side, front or back? That is usually a vague pain and indication of liver issues.
I want to point you to another board with VERY knowledgeable Hep B folks, hopefully it's ok that I post this here. These folks are good, but not many from the U.S.:
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Hepatitis-B/show/223
Also, the Hepb.org website is updated weekly with news about
latest treatments, breakthroughs and trials as well as some other fun news they put out there regarding awareness. I actually found my doctor there, who is ironically 5 minutes down the road from me. The guy has saved my life thus far!
Take the suggestions from people on here too regarding where to go in Boston. Funny enough, I'll be in Boston this weekend!
Post Edited (luckyman316) : 6/18/2014 6:48:48 PM (GMT-6)