Blood testing viral load

How is a hep C viral load read?  What does "h" after the numbers mean?  Also I filled out a release form for the
lab that did my last viral load and they refused to give me yhe viral load information. I am having a hard time procuring my own Medical records.  Quest refused to give me the viral load saying " I may become overwhelmed"
by the test results they are my records don't they have to release them to me under "The freedom of information
act?

[FlGuy]

Here's a guess, without seeing the text of the result.

For most tests there is a range.  For example, if it's the ABC Wahoo Test the range of normal might be between 35 and 50.  If your result is 60 the h that follows would indicate that relative to the normal range your result was h(igh).

In the case of a positive PCR any result over the lower limit of the test's sensitivity might be reported has h(igh).

Again, just a guess.

[CoWriter]

FlGuy is right, the "H" means high.

Ask your doctor for a copy of your results, not the lab.  Because if the results are abnormal you will want somebody to explain them to you and the lab can't do that.  That is basically what they were trying to explain to you.  

Co

[jmjm530]

Quest refused to give me the viral load saying " I may become overwhelmed"
--------------------
Actually, your direct access to test results from labs is governed by statue that varies from state to state and to the best lf my knowledge "being overwhelmed" is not part of any of those statues.

Find out what the statue is and proceed according. In some states you are permitted to call the lab directly for results, in some all your doctor has to do is put your fax number on the requisition form and sign off his permission.

Personally, I always found it useful to get my lab results prior to my doctor and made sure they were faxed directly from the lab to me. That way I had time to review results and prepare questions prior to discussing them with the doctor. I

Conversely,  if the lab results are presented by the doctor/nurse  either in person or by phone, invariably your best questions come after the phone is hung up or the treatment door closed. Of course this assumes you are motivated to learn  the basics of what the results mean. A doable and reasonable task given you may be receiving results for an entire year of treatment.

The "h" means your viral load is out of range, i.e. you tested positive for the virus.

-- Jim

[Ruthie703]

Thankyou so much for your feedback. I get so frustrated with the health clinic I go to.
I told the  counselor that I see at the same clinic that I thought the doctor was making a mistake interpreting my blood test results. I thought I had an expectation of confidentiality but she told the doctor what I had said.  He got all kinds of angry, he's not a specialist.  He claims my viral load is 619000, so in 4 mos it went down 2.5 million. Plus I don't think the counselor had any legal right to repeat something said in a session, she's a MSIW.       CONFUSED&FRUSTRATED,
RUTH

[Ruthie703]

Thank you so much for your reply.  I can understand why the lab won't give viral load
results.  I had a dissagreement with my doctor and because he's old school and is used to being treated like the be all and end all he really does'nt like me because I question him.  He acts like I am being disrespectful by questioning him.  He knows
practically nothing at all about Hep c. I quess I am going to have to find another doctor, huh?  I really wasnt sure dinosaurs like him still existed?  He actually says stuff like there is nothing wrong with my liver.  My previous viral load was sent in by another doctor and was 3+ million.  I have no energy and sleep from 14 to 16 or more hours per day. I do take lots of Milk Thistle, some alpha lapoic acid, selenium and vits.
Thanks alot a good luck to ya.  RUTH