Hep C

[Boni58]

I was diagnosed with Hep C in 2001 after getting a call from the Health Department following pre-op lab work. My AST and ALT were slightly elavated at the time. I was told my liver enzymes were considered too low for treatment and I am still for the most part asymptomatic. But a few months ago I changed Doctors and he ordered a viral load. My test came back at 10,220.000. What are the effects on my liver because I wasn't offered Tx sooner?

[nygirl7]

One of the most important reasons we get our viral load done is that during treatment the doctor tracks the changed in the viral load to determine how we are doing (how fast we are killing the disease, if we are responding to the treatment, if we were successful etc).  Other than that it is true that a higher viral load can mean a harder time to respond to the drugs but...not too much else really. It's mostly about the tracking.

A lot of doctors have given that advice that low enzymes mean no treating. That is silly advice because they could have been very active prior to this test and done much damage. to understand what they mean simply when a liver cell dies it releases an "enzyme" so the higher the level that more damage that is currently being done.

One of the biggest and most important tools to determine IF you need to treat or not is a biopsy. It's pretty painless even though it doesn't sound it.  It will give you the best idea how much liver damage has been done thus far.

Find a reputable doctor - one who is current on the latest studies and courses of treatment.  Lots of docs out there have no idea and just prety much are standarad on their treatments.

You need to have the biopsy to determine what Grade and Stage you are and also you need to find out what genotype you have, that would have been in your PCR blood test that showed you had hep in the first place.

Those are the tools you will need.

I treated for 72 weeks and am cured.  IT is possible.

[charm27]

Neither can I. The viral load is what they try to eliminate to get you clear (cured) of the virus.
If you dont have a VL you dont have the virus.

You must see a reputable hepatologist and get proper evaluation.

[Boni58]

I realize this now..........I guess I can't imagine a Dr who was going on that alone without further tests. What is the purpose of a viral load or liver enzymes?

[charm27]

if your enzymes are low that has NO bearing on whether to treat or not.

[Boni58]

I was referred to a gastroenterologist in July by my new Dr. Why wouldn't a Dr know there's no such thing as liver enzymes being too low? I believed his judgement and didn't start research until recently after seeing the new Dr.

[charm27]

If I were  you I would see a hepatologist. I also would have a liver biopsy done to see the condition of your liver. Do you know your genotype?

You said your liver enzymes were to low for treatment-(there is no such a thing)-You have HepC
doesnt matter what your VL is.

Good luck and try to seek the advice of a hepatologist as soon as you can.