Monitoring
Why do I need to have check-ups with my doctor if I have hepatitis B?
Even if you feel well, if you have chronic hepatitis B, your liver might be becoming damaged. It is important to have a check every 6-12 months so your doctor can check if your liver is getting damaged or if you have cirrhosis (scarring). That way you can receive the right treatment or change your treatment, so that you can stay healthy.
Fibroscan® (Transient Elastography)
This checks the stiffness of your liver. It can show if there is any fibrosis (scarring) in your liver, how much and how severe it is.
Ultrasound
Ultrasounds show the image of your liver to see if there is anything wrong (such as cancer). If there is anything found, it will be able to be fixed sooner so you can stay healthy.
Which tests are commonly used?
Viral Load Test (HBV DNA)
This measures the amount of hepatitis B virus in your blood. It is important to know because if your viral load is high, your liver can become more damaged, and you can also pass it to someone else more easily.
Liver Function Tests
These are blood tests that measure some of the proteins and enzymes in your blood. It gives an idea of how well your liver is functioning.