4 week VL test Question

I just got my results from my 4 week VL test and I dropped 1 log.  My viral load to begin with was 45,000.  I know you aren't doctors, but you've probably heard this question before. Are my chances good of dropping the other log in the next six weeks?  Or is the 4 week test the real indicator of whether the TX is going to work?

[Bobby1952]

It depends. What genotype are you. If you are type 1 then you still have time If you reach undetected by week 12 you have a good chance of SVR. If you are type 2/3 you have a better chance to reach SVR if you are undetected by week 4.

[charm27]

The best scenario is to be undected by week 4. The second best is to be undected by week 12. My doctor told me if I wasnt undected by week 20 I would probably have to stop tx. WHich of course I will.
A 1 log drop in 4 weeks is good you are responding, lets hope for UND by week 12.
Charm27

[mar148]

I am anxiously waiting my 16 week results.I am type 3.  I was under 615 bdna but detected Qualitative test, but have been undetected every 4 week test since.  I started at a high VL of 9 million so I came down 5 logs.  I kind of feel in a grey area being almost undetectable but clear at 8 weeks.  I also read a study that said if you have greater than a 2 log by week 4 a sustained undetectable the remainder of treatment you have greater chances.  This is very hard to get through, I am a real analytic.  I have started on this journey and have been careful to take the medication and take care of myself through the process. I have 7 shots left to go for 24 weeks of treatment.   I am waiting for my 16 week result.  My nurse and doctor are optimistic, since I have minor liver damage....  but my VL shot up from 600m to 9 million from 1st test to start of treatment.  

[GingerB]

Charm, I thought the final decision was based on the VL at week 24 (not wk 20).    If the VL is UND at wk 24, isn't it ok to continue tx?  Ginger B.

[charm27]

Perhaps my doctor was just giving me an approximate "date" he could of meant in the  area of 20 to 24. If not clear by then though he told me tx would be useless at that point.

Charm
Regards To You!

[nygirl7]

Week 24 is the cut off point for almost every doctor.  

While the best scenario is to be UND immediately of cousre - what is "expected" is a two log drop by week 12 (if not UND) and then to be clear by week 24.

IF however you are clear somewhere between weeks 12 and 24 - generally these days it means you have the best chance of success if you extend treatment to 72 weeks instead of 48.

That is what I had to do and so far...I am post treatment 11 months and SVR.  It does work, it's not the most fun but...you gotta do what you gotta do.

TO MAR1 You really need to convince your doctor to do a much better test than the 615 test.  I had almost a 3 log drop at week 4 but however had a count of 411.  At week 12 I still had a count of 419. I was UND at week 24.  If I'd gone by the 615 test - I would have thought I was UND since week 4 and that information would have been completely wrong which would have lead to perhaps - my failure.

[mar148]

The bdna test was done incorrectly and now they are doing a PCR  quantitative as well as qualititative.  I have been undetected from these more sensitive tests since.  I am type 3 and doing 24 weeks of treatment.

[mbnh]

I am genotype 1.  So are my chances any good of dropping another log by week 12, continuing treatment and getting rid of this thing?

[HARRYBEADS]

In Canada they only test on weeks 12, 24 and 48 so don't worry . And your starting load is so low to begin with that you will probably beat this beast.

Harry

[mbnh]

Thanks Harry, that's what I needed - encouragement!