High vreses low viral load in Hep c patients

[litecloud]

I was dignosed with hep c 1 yr ago. My viral load at that time was 18 million with normal alt levels. I have not been treated but I have changed my diet to a nutritional one and I do not drink anymore, my hole life has changed. I live one day at a time. I recently went to the doctor and my viral load was at 1 million with an alt count of 57, high normal being 40 on their scale. How could this be. Is this normal, could I really beat this desease with the right choices I have taken. Please advice thank you, litecloud

[tina b]

what is your ferritin level?

[painted**posies]

Can someone interpret my blood test results for me and tell me what they mean.  I am genotype 1b. I understand that part. My HCV RNA (IU/ML) is 5060000 H  (50 IU/ml) then under that it says
HCV RNA (LOG IU.ML) 6.70 H  Then on another test i9t says AST (SGOT) is 92 and ALT (SGPT)is 80.

Also, I am taking a medication that is used for Parkinson's (which I take for another problem) called Requip. There is a warning that people with liver disease should consult their Dr., yadda yadda yadda. I'm wondering if this medication could affect my viral load or the other two numbers.

Sorry to be so ignorant. I'm just learning and am having difficulty absorbing what I'm reading. The Requip that I'm taking gives me incredible brain fog. Without it I'm awake for days which makes me cranky (to say the least).

I also have a strange symptom and I'm wondering if it's related to the HCV. When my hands get cold I break out in a rash on my hands and they itch so badly I can hardly stand it. This started around the time of my diagnosis and am wondering it it's related or just coincidence.  The Dr. just shrugged it off. I'm not worried about it..it's just annoying...but do wonder if it's a related symptom.

[cuteus]

On extrahepatic hcv related conditions, someone posted links in the thread "group advises against hcv testing' dated yesterday.  Hcv is not only a liver disease, it likes those cells to replicate, but it seems to be more  systemic than originally thought.

After 38 shots, I just had my eyes checked and they are fine.  Everybody seems to react so differently.  I do have a hypersensitivity to bright light and vision is a little worse, but nothing too disabling.  I am sorry your tx did not give you that precious goal of svr.

[litecloud]

IS THE HEP B VACCINE a good idea? Before or after treatment?

[cuteus]

There is a big push for hep b vaccination.   I personally passed on it.
Hep a is more contagious so that might be a different story.

  I will stick to universal precautions, same thing that will keep me hiv free.  That is my  preference.
This vaccine has been around for a while, but it is only a few years since it was mandated on a large scale.  To me, there is not enough long term  data (of sides) based on its used in the large population.
Some european countries are more cautious in mandating it for everyone.
I passed, others didn't.  Inform yourself through your own net search, that is what I did.

[britgirl]

I agree. Make sure you get vaccinated against hep A, which is much more contagious....from salads, plates etc.