Viral load question

Good morning, Everyone:

The only way to get my DNA results from 07/16/08 was to pay $70 for my medical records!  

Well, reading them, I find that my viral load is 2,260 iU/mL HBV DNA detected.  
That is with HBsag POS, HBeag NEG, HBcIGG POS, HBc IGM not tested (presumed negative) and HBsab NEG.

Since that date, I paid for an independent lab with these results:

HBsag POS, HBeag NEG, HBcIGG POS, HBcIGM NEG, HBsab POS (.33) DNA not tested.

These latter results point to eventual seroconversion or resolution.  I had stopped the corticosteroid (immunosuppressant) on my own!  

But I don't know what the viral load means.  It was done 2 weeks before the independent lab.  Any help would be appreciated.  Thanks so much.

[cajim]

>>>I don't know what the viral load means

It quantifies the virus activity.  Yours is low.

Recommend that you have a doctor follow you when you stop medications.

Best.

[zellyf]

Well, you are still surface antigen positive and you have detectable viral load.  I think you need another viral load done in 3 -6 months and if it is still >2000 you might look at treatment options given that you are e-negative.

[transuster]

Thank you zellyf, and cajim:

Yes, the DNA results were from 7/16/08 when I was on high dose Prednisone.  Since then, I have had anti-DNA screen 07/30/08 which was negative.  I guess this means that off the steroid the viral load has dropped to negative? ??? And, I am being followed by doctors but not the one who put me on steroid.

[zellyf]

If you are surface antigen positive then your viral load is not negative.  It might be undetected which means that the number of virions per unit of blood is too small for current technology to count.  You still have replicating virus but very low.

Viral load and HBV DNA are the same thing.  How much replicating virus you have.  

[transuster]

Thanks, zellyf:

How are you doing these days?