Finally Got My Labs

Hi All! I've always felt that I was missing something here, not understanding or posting my stats.  Now Ive got a new Dr & getting my lab results mailed to me, I feel like I'm finally "getting it".

Biopsy(5/25/06)= Mild to Moderate active Chronic Hep C, Geno 1A.
Grade 2-3/4 with early periportal fibrosis, Stage 1-2/4.
WBC 5/17/06 = 5.1
    8/30/06 = 3.2
VL  5/17/06 = 5,480,000
VL  8/30/06 = 1,600 (Wow!)

ALT  5/17/06 = 34
     8/30/06 = 35

Platelet 5/17/06 = 121
         9/6/06  =  60

RBC 5/17/06 = 4.64
    9/6/06  = 4.37

WBC 5/17/06 = 5.1
    9/6/06  = 3.1  (abnormal)

MCHC 5/17/06 = 34.9
     9/6/06  = 37.1 (abnormal)

[NYgirl]

Well those aren't bad numbers in any aspect at all.  You should be pretty happy today!   :)

There are some of us who would cut a finger off for them! (Well no i'm still a baby about all the needles involved in treatment hahaha).

Just trying to make you realize - you made out really well.  

Now......kick this disease where it belongs to be kicked!

[NYgirl]

Did I completely misunderstand - how long have you been on treatment that you still have a VL of 1600?

I knew I missed something there.  How many weeks is that?
Is that a 12 week PCR?

Sorry I just looked at the grade and stage and then for the Hemo - dumb old me needs to slow DOWN at work and LOOK.

So anyway - now that I can't edit the above post ... have you spoken to the doctor about what getting a 1600 12 week might mean?  Mine wouldn't let me quit - but if you do have UND at week 24....it looks like you might have to extend to 72 weeks with such a high VL still?

[sfbaygirl]

Your platelet count is getting pretty low. Keep your eyes open on that one.

Where's your ANC? Abs. Nuets?

[Lady E]

Hi, and thanks!! *keeping my fingers crossed*
I'm in my 11th wk right now (in my mind), BUT I had lost 2 wks of tx because of my prev dr back at wks 6 & 7. My next appt will be for my 12 wk. I hope. At my 1st visit w/new dr., he put me right back on tx (treats aggressively) But I won't know if he will consider this upcoming week 12 or not?? I'll be finding out next appt at the end of the month. It's on my list of questions. :)

[Lady E]

Where's your ANC? Abs. Nuets?

Hmm..these are the only ones on my lab of 9/6/06
WCC 3.1 abnormal
RBC 4.37
Hemoglobin 14.5
Hematocrit 39.1
MCV 89.7
MCHC 37.1 abnormal
RDW 12.1
Platelet 60 abnormal
MPV 11.1
Neutrophil 39.6 abnormal
Lymphocyte 54.2 abnormal
Monocyte 4.4
Rosinophil 1.0
Basophil 0.9
Neutrophil # 1.2 abnormal
PLT morphology - markedly decreased
RBC morphology - Normal

The viral load of 1,600 was taken 8/30/06 which was directly after missing 2 weeks tx

ugh..my back hurts from typing all that LOL

[Lady E]

Yeah, Im very aware of the low platelets. My new dr. treats aggressively until it goes down to 30.  Hope I don't get there.

[sfbaygirl]

Sounds like the Neutofils may be the ANC? The # 1.2 is about right, low but fine.  good...until it drops below 1. or more.

That is yucky you had to stop for two weeks. You may have to start your week count from where you started again. Wasn't this b/c of the platelets?  It is good your VL has dropped a lot, I think that is a 2 log drop, brain isn't working at the moment. But anyway, you are a responder!!! This is the good news. Whether you have to start at week 3 or 12, you are responding to the drugs it seems. All of that is good news!

[Lady E]

Yeah, I think its good news too.  I just have to watch out not to get cut or get in an accident..no bleeding allowed.
Weird tho..this morning while brushing my teeth. my gums bled alot. First time for that. I'm throwing away the toothbrush...don't want to give "The Beast" back to myself.
My God..the things we have to think of!!
((Huge Hugs))

[sfbaygirl]

Cool! I hope mine is good today! Shot on Wed.

[tulsatime]

I guess you and I have the same problem with low platelets. Last time I treated on week 4 my platelets dropped to 50. I bought some vitamin K2 from iherb.com and took one a day, when I went back the next month mine was at 77. The dr said it didn't hurt to take it but wasn't sure if it was the vitimin or not. But my platelets stayed between 70 and 90 after I started taking it. This Tx I started at 70. I started taking the vitamin K2 the day I started and on my 2 week test my platelets came up to 77. Which I was very surprised. I decide to take one in the morning and one at night to see if on my 4 week test if it stays the same or drops. because I think the 4 week marker was where mine dropped last time. I will let you know how that turns out. I always have my blood drawn on friday morning before I do my shot friday night. So I am glad I do that like MikeSimon said. If I was you I would buy some vitamin K2. It comes in pill form. I am glad you have an aggressive Dr. That makes all the difference!! Take care, Keep kicking the dragon's A$$. Debi
PS I am not recommending everyone take vitamin K unless you have very low platelet because of the risk of blood clots.

[cuteus]

1600 vl at wk "12" could be the virus coming back after going undetect or it could be a big reduction from the initial load.  either way, I think the rule is to begin anew with the first wk of re treatment, unfortunately.

[Lady E]

I always do my bloodwork on Wednesday, and take my shot on Thursday.

[Lady E]

I've only seen him for 1 visit so far.  We havent had much chance to review my "new history" til next visit.  What will he do if I go below 30? Well, I guess we'll have to cross that bridge when/if it gets to that.
Hope you get GREAT news from your CBC today!!!
My thoughts are with you!!

[mikesimon]

I don't know when you get your blood drawn but if you can manage to  get labs before you inject Peg your platelet count should look better than if you draw after your injection. I get labs the day I inject but before I do and I see a difference. In case you don't know I am a transplant recipient and I have been getting labs weekly and I was instructed to get them before my injection because if after the shot it will be reflected in your numbers. I got it the day after one time and my platelet count was 65 and the next week I did it before my shot and my count was up to 85. Good luck. Mike

[sfbaygirl]

That's a good one! Does it work for WBC and ANC too?

[mikesimon]

WBCs are affected by interferon so I would think you'd see a difference. The transplant center just said 'do labs before because we want to know the CBC'. I would think that RBCS and Hmgb wouldn't look much different but ANC and WBCs might very well look better before the injection. Mike

[sfbaygirl]

My nose bled a couple of times and teeth too. Not bad though. It does seem to take longer to stop bleeding sometimes. my platelets run the gamet. they are 110 now! High! LOL My ANC was 1.8 last week. Hoping when I go for the CBC today, the ANC will be above 1.0. Unfortunately, my doc won't let me go below .8 without a shot. I wish he would.

That's great your dr. will let your platelets go down. I would hate to see you have to take that neumenga. That is brutal stuff, I have heard. What will your doc do if your platelets go too low?

[mikesimon]

Well, I guess you've got that covered. I hope you see an improvement or, at least, they don't drop significantly. Good luck. Mike