Just received my lab test results

[doug8989]

I just received them today (via mail).

AFP, NonMaterna is 7.2ng/ml
HCV Load bDNA  355345/ml
Log10 RNA  5.55
HCV Load Interp  800,000 IU/mL=2 million PCR copies/ml
Hep C Genotype   1

My doctor said this is high, I am being referred to a Hepatologist for further evaluation and have an untrasound of my liver due next friday.  This my second post.  Everyone was very supportive my first one (when I first found out) and helped a lot.  No longer scared but still concerned.  Thanks to all.

[dndfunnel]

TLK 2 U SOON !

[cquest]

Yep, the Riba got me good...5 days of tx...orig. the doc made me stop the meds because the shot made my fingers numb and my heart do a little dance called the 'tighten up'...routine physical yada yada...he says go back on tx...but that rash! Maybe I'm a punk but I couldn't see the point if I have no damage and mild inflamation...Also, I've battled a rash since I was 9 years old...Nickel allergy...I'm very sensitive to medications, alcohol, you name it...which is probably why my liver is still doing ok...email me if you want...***@**** and we can chat more.
Cin

[dndfunnel]

HELLO AGAIN ! WERE YOUR EAR'S BURNING ? I HAVE BEEN ASKING ABOUT YOU N IT'S ALL GOOD ... I HEARD YOU HAD TROUBLE WITH THE RIBA !!! TELL ME MORE - AS I SAID BEFORE THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR CONDITION THAT'S ANNOYING ME . MAYBE I CAN HELP !! EVEN IF IT'S JUST A SHOULDER TO LEAN ON . HERE FOR YOU DEANO..



                 PS.TLK 2 ME PLEASE !

[cquest]

Gonna mentally zap these little buggers like a pac man game....gobble gobble...every day...little by little keep chompin' away...yeah, that's it! If that doesn't work, I'll call the Pope...that'll work for sure...My girlfriend emailed the Pope (seriously) when her grand daughter was born prematurely and was in a bad way (brain bleeds and all kinds of stuff). Well, don't cha know, she is perfectly fine now! Magic!

Awww, I know it's only a dream...maybe I'll wake up soon? HA!
Cin

[cquest]

(in your best Jamaican accent)

Don' worry mon! Dat vl is not high mon! Me vl is 62.7 million!HA! oh well...I always knew I was special...
Cin

[cquest]

No typo der mon! I think I'm so tired all the time cause I'm fightin' this friggin' virus!
Cin

[dndfunnel]

CIN - HELLO DEAN HERE ! JUST WANTED TO SAY HI . KEEP UP THE FIGHT YOUR STRONGER THAN YOU THINK .



PS. SOMETHING ABOUT YOU (GOOD FEELING'S )

[dndfunnel]

ELLO MYSTERY WOMAN !

[dndfunnel]

DEAN HERE ! WEN'T THROUGH THE SAME FEELING'S AS YOU . I FOUND THIS SIGHT N THE PEOPLE HERE CAN'T HELP YOU ENOUGH !THEY ALL DESERVE A PAT ON THE BACK . I'M NOW 11 WEEK'S INTO TREATMENT N SHOWING CLEAR ALLREADY . I FOUND THE FIRST 6 WEEK'S TOUGH BUT NOW IS OK . HANG IN THERE YOU HAVE BEEN BLESSED TO FIND THESE GUY'S N GAL'S . YOU WILL "WIN " THE FIGHT !!!!!!!!!!!!

[bobbyullc]

THAT VIRAL COUNT IS  "LOW'. BETTER CHANCE FOR SVR.

http://janis7hepc.com/Viral_Loads.htm#Viral%20load%20chart
CHECK THIS CHART FOR A DEFINITION.
GOOD LUCK.
BOBBY

[cuteus]

the numbers could be diagnostic codes, and you would need a medical code dictionary to know what they mean or wait for the good old doc to explain it fully.

on another note
My friend's dr is in the Hepatitis C center in Manhattan, not in Long Island as I thought. She heard of the one you are going to see, good things,  I think.
take care

[Mister beagle bailey]

When I got back my blood work on the secound sheet it said.

Hepatic Panel (dx: 7948)
Hematology: PT/INR(dx:2869) CBC

Can any one tell me what the #'s mean?

Any advice would be helpful.

Thanks,
God Bless you all

[Mister beagle bailey]

Thanks,I'll find out from the Dr. on Saturday what number mean. I can't wait. Will let you know how things turn out.

Take care, Bob

[jmjm530]

All things being equal, I'd  probably opt to treat given your genotype, viral load, enzymes and biopsy result.

But what gives pause is the fact you've had to stop treatment twice. I wouldn't rush into treatment a third time without first addressing the question of what went wrong the first two times. If your doctor doesn't have a reasonable plan to treat your side effects agressively, seek another opinion or two.

Some things to think about -- Did you take any viral load tests during treatment and what was the viral load? If you were responding, that should serve as more motivation to treat again. If you weren't responding, you probably won't respond a third time unless the treatment plan is changed.

BTW did you treat both times with Peg Intron or Pegasys? If Peg Intron, you might try Pegasys next time as many report fewer side effects. Did you get anemic during treatment? If so, did your doctor let you suffer or intervene with Procrit?

I wish I had more answers than questions but it's not an easy decision and that's why you should keep seeking professional advice until you find someone interested enough in your case to formulate a plan that seems reasonable, whether it be to treat or to wait.

Fortunately, given your stats, you have time on your side so no reason to put any pressure on yourself for a quick decision. Take your time, shop around, do some more research. The more you learn, the clearer the right decision will be.

All the best.

-- Jim

[LifeGodsWay]

I really am in a state of confusion on wheather I want to proceed with this medicine or wait for the making of the next rememdy to be presented. It was easier the second time it seemed until I became unable to eat anything and hold it down..This went on for 8 days straight..So is the bDNA at a reasonable number considering I was told my my Liver specialist today the count back in 'sept04 was 7,270,000....I appreciate all your feed back..I have read alot of your responses to others and it seems your pretty informed on the Hep C statistics..so to speak..

[jmjm530]

Our posts crossed. Stage 2 puts you sort of in the middle. You have some damage but not significant damage. Given your past history, you could decide to re-treat now or watch and wait for newer treatments. You really need a good hepatologist to fully evaluate the decision based on your complete record.

-- Jim

[jmjm530]

Your biopsy report should tell you how much liver damage you have. It's expressed in "stages" usually with stage 0 or 1 being no or little damage and stage 3 or 4 being more significant damage.

Knowing what stage you are can help decide how critical it is to treat right away. That said, it's a complicated decision and you've had problems in the past. Is your doctor a liver specialist (hepatologist)? If not, now might be a good time to consult with one.

-- Jim

[LifeGodsWay]

Also Im a Geno type 2c not 2b..Diagnosis says Chronic Hep Cwith a mild to moderate activity and periportal fibrosis stage (2) Macrovesicular steatosis (moderate amount). Portal tracts show unremarkable bile ducts. There is a moderate chronic inflamation with mild to moderate. Trichrome shows periportal fibrosis without bridging fibrosis.

[LifeGodsWay]

yes i have them right here..my Ast=32
                               Alt=42
                               bDNA=5781 (sorry , Im looking    it now..) and as far as my biopsy I have that as well..Help me out here to better understand them...please

[jmjm530]

Is the 5698 measured in IU/ml? If so, your viral load is extremely low. Do you know your liver enzyme levels and biopsy results?

Sorry you had a bad time with side effects. Some doctor's are more agressive than others in treating sides with medication but sometimes there's not much they can do. Considering you've had to stop twice, probably a good idea to get another consult from a hepatologist (liver expert) and identify exactly what the problem was with previous treatments and then come up with a new plan.

-- Jim

[LifeGodsWay]

Hello and I have just reiceved my lab work as well..approx a week ago..I was diagnosed with HepC geno type 2a and my bDNA count was 5698.  I was diagnosed back in 2004August. I have taken the med twice but got off of the med both times..first time was for 4weeks and the second time I was on the med for 7 weeks and had gotten off of it again due to the side effect were horrible...I couldnt hold any food down..I don't know much about the numbers but it sounds as though my bDNA isnt the worst so to speak.Any answers?

[jmjm530]

800,000 IU/ml is not high. It's sort of at the low end of medium. I'm sure your new hepatologist will confirm. Good luck and let us know how things progress.

-- Jim

[susan400]

The doctors like to lean on the side of caution.  A 2 million viral load count may seem really bad, but they can actually be much, much higher than that.  Of course, undetected would be best.  Try not to get too worried.  Just decide with your doctor on whether treatment is the best thing for you.

Susan