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What Does The Following Blood Test Results Indicate?
Posted on
Thu, 30 Jul 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 30 Jul 2015
Answered on
Fri, 21 Aug 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : My doctor had me do a blood test and found that I have H Pylori infection (7.58 against specified 0 to 0.89). I went to the doc because I had bleeding in stool 3-4 weeks ago which stopped in 2-3 days but I have continued discomfort in stomach and looks like i have a haemorhoid as well (based on previous question I had answered here). My questions is: Based on my research, antibiotics that my doc has prescribed are efffective in 80% of cases but they also have side effects and may build more resistant H Pylori bacterias in me. There are alternate therapies like pro biotics and eating yogurt and similar ways to control the growth of H Pylori. This needs to be done on a long term basis. I would rather do this long term treatment that is more holistic than take anti biotics. I need to understand whether at a H Pylori reading of 7.58, do I have the option to go the alternate route? Is it too high a reading?
All other blood test was normal. Including CEA and CA 19-9 readings.
All other blood test was normal. Including CEA and CA 19-9 readings.
Brief Answer:
It's better to take antibiotics
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for your query.
I understand your concern.
The blood test for H.Pylori measures the antibodies to the bacteria which is present only in the stomach mucosa and no where else. Since you have not had any treatment for H.Pylori, it is indicative of a current infection and is indicative of a moderately heavy infection. It is better to take the antibiotics in a sequential regime which I find is better tolerated by my patients and then follow it up with probiotics and other natural means to complete the eradication and prevent a reinfection.
A month after the treatment, it is better to do a C13 Urea Breath Test to ensure that the H.Pylori is eradicated. Blood test for follow up will not be correct as the antibodies may remain for some time after eradication.
Hope you would get well soon,
It's better to take antibiotics
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for your query.
I understand your concern.
The blood test for H.Pylori measures the antibodies to the bacteria which is present only in the stomach mucosa and no where else. Since you have not had any treatment for H.Pylori, it is indicative of a current infection and is indicative of a moderately heavy infection. It is better to take the antibiotics in a sequential regime which I find is better tolerated by my patients and then follow it up with probiotics and other natural means to complete the eradication and prevent a reinfection.
A month after the treatment, it is better to do a C13 Urea Breath Test to ensure that the H.Pylori is eradicated. Blood test for follow up will not be correct as the antibodies may remain for some time after eradication.
Hope you would get well soon,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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