Question Title: 4th week combo treatment (naive)

Thank you for answering my previous questions, you've been a big
help. My doctor just sent me copies of my blood tests. Upon beginning
treatment my AST was 67 & ALT was 130. My viral load was 63400 H.
Can you tell me what all this means & where I stand? Is 63400
very high, like on a scale of 1 to 10, where is it? When should
my doctor do another viral count? Right now he's just doing weekly
CBC's because my last WBC was 3.5, RBC-3.73, Hgb-11.3 & Hct-32.9.
I decreased the ribavirin to 1-am & 2-pm because I was so dizzy &
weak I couldn't walk. I am doing a lot better, now. I
appreciate any information you can give me as my doctor won't
tell me anything. Thanks, Regina

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Dear Regina:

Let me see if I can give you some information that is helpful to you.

Your ALT and AST are both elevated but at levels that are very typical for people with hepatitis C. Your viral titer, on the other hand, if it is done correctly and if it is accurate, is low and this suggests you have an excellent chance of responding to interferon. Viral levels below 200,000 copies/ml of blood are considered low.

We typically recheck viral titers again three months into therapy. This timing was based on results with interferon and it is not clear that the same time points will be used with interferon and ribavirin, but I feel this is a good place to start.

I hope this additional information is helpful to you. If you have more questions, let me know. Our direct phone number is (313) 916-8865. This response is being provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. Always check with your personal physician when you have a question pertaining to your health.

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