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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Hepatitis C?

I had some blood drawn because I have hepatitis C and it showed and alpha feta protein marker in my blood. I went and had a sonogram of my whole mid-section and everything looked fine. I was also told my Hep C is dormant right now. My Dad and sister also have alpha feta protein markers in their blood and none of us have a tumor or cancer. What is your advice on what that could mean if anything?
Wed, 9 Mar 2016
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Gastroenterologist, Surgical,  's  Response
Dear Sir
Alpha feto protein (AFP) in blood is present in normal persons as well (it has normal upper limit), so, don't worry about AFP detected in blood, as long as it's within normal range. as you rightly said that high AFP may be a hint towards liver cancer, for which you have undergone USG/CT abdomen.

there may not be any symptoms of HCV if it's not affecting liver. you just have to on regular follow up.
so, would affect you to do blood tests liver function tests, complete blood counts- six monthly and USG, AFP, HCV RNA (quantitative) once in a year.
you would need treatment for HCV, if viral load increases or it starts affecting liver tests.

regards
Dr Punit Singla
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What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Hepatitis C?

Dear Sir Alpha feto protein (AFP) in blood is present in normal persons as well (it has normal upper limit), so, don t worry about AFP detected in blood, as long as it s within normal range. as you rightly said that high AFP may be a hint towards liver cancer, for which you have undergone USG/CT abdomen. there may not be any symptoms of HCV if it s not affecting liver. you just have to on regular follow up. so, would affect you to do blood tests liver function tests, complete blood counts- six monthly and USG, AFP, HCV RNA (quantitative) once in a year. you would need treatment for HCV, if viral load increases or it starts affecting liver tests. regards Dr Punit Singla