HEP C VIRAL LOAD

I had bloodwork done last week and the dr advised that my viral load is less than 50.  Can someone please explain what this means?  I was first diagnosed with HEP C in August 2005.

[NYgirl]

Have you been doing treatment with Interferon and Ribavirin or something?

You are killing off that dreadful virus! <50 means that there may of couse be some virus floating around hiding (which is why we continue to treat AFTER we are undetectible to make sure they are all dead) but that counting over 50 they don't see any in your blood!

That's a great thing congrats!

[can-do-man]

you were diagnosed in august of 2005 and 7 months later your viral load is less then 50? Thats wild, i think i would be calling my doctor and asking for a explanation on that. Just don't sound right to me. Best of luck to you

[walleyj]

I haven't had any treatment at all.  My prior doctor didn't give me a viral load or genotype and I got rid of her and saw a new doctor.  I stopped drinking alcohol entirely and increased my vitamin supplements.  My new doc couldn't give me a genotype because she said that with a viral load this low, they can't advise me of the genotype.  This is all still greek to me.  I'm not even sure how I got HCV.  I am surely blessed to receive this news.

[can-do-man]

Guess i should of ask if he was on tx. Would have explained it more.

[walleyj]

When I had the second round of tests to confirm the HCV infection back in August, I was told that the viral load was very low but the doctor didn't tell me the count and I didn't know the importance of knowing the information until you guys gave me information a couple of months back.

[NYgirl]

I dont understand any of this - I mean if it's not detectible right now chances are you don't HAVE hepc - you had the antibodies perhaps and your body successfully killed it off on it's own!

OR are they saying that you DO have active virus but it is a number like 35 and that they have done a very sensitive test and find traces or something?

Cause if you ask me - it doesn't sound like you have it but were exposed to it and beat it.

Of course clear that with the doctor and perhaps retest in a few months to be sure but isn't that GREAT?

[can-do-man]

Your the brain here, just don't sound right. What do you think?

[NYgirl]

Most of us dont have a clue how we got this disease...but we have it.  That is the important thing to KNOW.

But then you just might not have it at all you really better talk this over with the doctor.  NOW that is great news call them NOW!  :)

[walleyj]

I know that they took quite a bit of blood from me and sent a frozen specimen to their lab.  I specifically asked for viral load and genotype, per the advice I got from jmjm back in January.  I also asked for a referral to talk to a hepatologist after the blood work results came back.  Doc said that she can't refer me to a hepatologist because the viral load is so low it's not warranted.  I think I contracted this thing when my manicurist accidently cut me with one of her tools.  Don't know if that makes a difference.  I used to be a very heavy drinker of alcohol.  This HCV scared me straight and I don't drink anymore.  I don't feel any symptoms whatsoever.  I think the chances of me passing this to someone through sexual contact is minimal (I hope).

[jmjm530]

As you can see, we're all playing a guessing game because the information you're giving us is incomplete, no doubt because that's what your doc told you.

It *sounds* like you're non-detectible per a PCR viral load test with a sensitivity of 50 IU/ml.

It *sounds* like you never had the virus to start with, but only the antibodies. About 20-30% of those who contract hepatitis c, cure it on their own and are only left with the antibodies.

But...if you really want to find out what is going on, get hold of all your blood tests -- your own copy -- and have the doctor sit down and explain things. If he's unwilling/unable to do so, then trot the blood tests to a liver specialist (hepatologist) or good GI who will.

All the best and not to worry cause it all *sounds* good but sounding good and being good is sometimes the difference between wishful thinking and reality.

-- Jim

[walleyj]

I'll just keep doing what I'm doing.  I have a dr appointment in a couple of weeks.  I'll probe for further explanation when I get face to face with the Doc.  You guys are giving me great feedback to get my questions formulated!  Thanks

[NYgirl]

you said sent a frozen specimen to their lab.

Where did they get the frozen specimen? Did you have a biopsy they couldn't have gotten it from your blood and you certainly wouldn't mistake the two LOL.

[walleyj]

I saw the lab slip.  They put a sticker on the slip that said "frozen specimen".  No, they didn't do a biopsy...just took lots of blood.  I feel so naive.  I didn't even ask what the frozen specimen tag was for.

[can-do-man]

After they took your blood they had to freeze it so when it got to the lab it was still good.

[jmjm530]

"Frozen Specimens" refer to the bloodwork. My Heptimax (viral load test) is shipped as a frozen specimen to the lab that does the actually testing. This is common. (I'm sure Can-Do or Mr. Goofy may offer alternative definitions to "frozen specimens" :) )

-- Jim

[can-do-man]

After they took your blood they had to freeze it so when it got to the lab it was still good.

Unless they put him in a freezer until his blood froze. But then it would be to hard to draw that way.

[NYgirl]

I tell you sometimes I WISH they would freeze me up first ... get so TIRED of looking down at blood pouring out in to tubes... it would be cool if they could freeze me and then wake me up when it was done ;-)  not that it hurts I'm just so so tired of having CBC/hep pans/pcrs/shots shots shots

Maybe if I have a few more fudgicles I can accomplish my goal :)

[walleyj]

not that it matters, but I'm not a he.  I'm all SHE.  :)

[can-do-man]

you say....frozen specimens? Reminds me when i go to the sperm clinic to donate, When i leave the gal always thanks me for coming.

[can-do-man]

OPPS, let me take my foot out of my mouth so i can say im sorry. BTW im glad you are a she. We need more of them on this board.:) Plus you might want to ignore my last post to jmjm there. nygirl made me do it.

[cuteus]

you might want to read about the different PCRs available and since you were negative for a viral load on one that goes down to 50IU/ML, which might indicate that you beat this virus on your own or that you are harboring an extremely low viral load
http://www.projectsinknowledge.com/Init/G/1665/1665-TxReporter.pdf

to make sure, you might want to get a very sensitive qualitative test, from the list given in the article above, and if that is negative, you can rest assured that you have one super immune system that battled the virus down to a pulp. That means no HCV infection, no geno to type, because nothing is there.
If it was me, because I find it hard to believe that I am lucky enough to get rid of this on my own, I would do the most sensitive test. Once that is negative, I would quit going to hepatologists, since I am not infected.
that is just me.
good luck

[jmjm530]

you say....frozen specimens?
---------------------------
LOL.

I was thinking more of this cheer leader named Mary in high school.

[can-do-man]

just how do you think mary came to be? What some of us won't go through for man kind.

[walleyj]

LOL!  Don't you think frozen specimens take the fun out of donating?  It's just so.....so.......CLINICAL. And, no worries, I'm not offended.  Most people think I'm a guy because of my screen name.

[can-do-man]

Yes in a way it does take some of the fun out of it. But on the bright side you do get free magazines.

[GoofyDad]

TMA is the most sensitive qualitative test. It's like a PCR, but uses different amplification technology. It's a pretty common test, though not cheap.

Frozen specimen reminds me of my wife on a Saturday night - but that may be more than you needed to know :)

[walleyj]

I don't know what happens to our sex lives when we women get married!  I'm sure it has NOTHING to do with our partners....

[GoofyDad]

Ohhhh Gawd! Not another one bothered by the dark socks and stained boxer look at bedtime? Next you'll want the ear hairs trimmed. This is a slippery slope that I've been down before!

Put a vacuum in my hand and call me Fi-Fi!

[walleyj]

LMAO!  i can deal with the socks and even the stained boxers, but nose, ear or back hair.....UGHH.  Can we keep the lights turned off?  :)

[GoofyDad]

Sure. Does that mean I can take the bag off?

[walleyj]

I supposed.  just don't go putting out an eye with those whiskers....

[NYgirl]

sounds like you fit in here with me just fine! ;-)

Welcome to the club as you can see - the guys have no problem with another crazy girl being around LOL

And crazy we are...it must be the hep!  

PS Never trust CanDoMan he will ALWAYS say "ah it's NYgirls fault"...he needs to learn to stand up for his own bad jokes! hahahahahahaha  (love ya CanCan)

[can-do-man]

Sure sounds like a match made in the jungle. Ape man and wally. See how much you can learn here wally? You ask one question and some how were where we are. Goof, keep the bag on.

[walleyj]

Thanks!  I love New Yorkers!  They are so real.  Don't get much of that here in the land of the fruits and nuts (Los Angeles).  You guys are right up my alley as far as your sense of humor goes.  Laughter is sometimes the best medicine!

[walleyj]

you guys aren't going to DO it.  Are you?

[can-do-man]

Whoa there little philly, ain't no brokeback mountain in my bones. Think goofs stright to even though he does come from the bay area. Wasn't i talking about leaving the lights on

[walleyj]

well, you said that he should keep the bag on.  I thought that maybe you were "over-stimulated".....  How did we get on this subject?

[can-do-man]

LOL, heck i don't even remember your question you first asked. Hope you stick around though. Had some good laughs.

[walleyj]

Thank you everybody!  I'll be here all week!  And remember, please tip your waiter.......

[GoofyDad]

<i>sounds like you fit in here with me just fine! ;-)</i>

It would appear walley has already been sized for fit by another member of our esteemed troup.

Meanwhile, all this bag talk has me itchy again down there. Time for another shot of the pepper spray.