Lab Results Question

[DallasStar]

Hello Everyone, Hope all of you had a Wonderful Holiday. I have a question about my Lab Results, they were faxed to Me last Wednesday, I searched for an answer but could not find one.. I am not sure what MCV is on my CBC, but it has always been around 97, now it is @ 106, could you please tell me if this is bad, or what it means/ My Neutophils, went from 40 to 60..so I am not sure what is going on. Also is it normal not to have a 24 week PCR done? I was negative @ week 12, and my doctor says we will not test again, until TX ends, just did 21 out of 48. Would appreciate any info. Thanks so Much Everyone, hope all of you are doing as well as expected. Look forward to your opinions.

[zazza]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absolute_neutrophil_count

You can read about it in Wikipedia.

[hart317]

I had some lab work done and I was wondering what absolute neutrophils is , and  the test show's it to be high it's 10540,what is this caused from so confused.

[meandhepc]

Sorry Erin,

Forgot you needed the extra info:

2 small hyperechogenic lesions w/ irregular, ill defined borders.
Multiple, mildly enlarged celiac axis, peripancreatic and porta hepatis nodes.

Thanks!!

[GI.PA]

I test at the end of treatment and then at 6 months thereafter.

It may be purely academic but I like to know if the viral relapse occured while on treatment (therfore retreatment with an interferon based product would be absolutely not worth it) or after treatment ended (a non-sustained response..and maybe?? longer treatment might be worthwile down the road.  It is my hope that I will be able to use this information down the road to better decide who to retreat or not.

In my view, better to get all the info than wish you would have down the road...not the most cost-saving approach I am the first to admitt!

Gi.PA

[GI.PA]

The word "lesion" is very non-specific.  The most common type is a harmless liver hemangioma (collection of blood vessles simular to a birth mark on the liver) or a liver cyst (fluid or air filled).  All of these are typically not an issue.

The liver lesions we worry about is liver cancer or spread of another cancer to the liver.

Without knowing what type and characteristic of the lesion, that is all the info I have to offer.

GI.PA

[Revenire]

You mean wait until at least 3 weeks AFTER ending tx to be tested?

[TravisB]

Most people who relapse do so within 3 weeks after stopping TX.  That's why it's wise to delay the final test after tx as long as possible.  Travis.

[meandhepc]

Erin,

any suggestions why lesions would show up in an ultrasound on the liver?  Thanks

[GI.PA]

If you are more in the Dallas region, there is a great hepatologist who just hung a shingle at Dallas Methodist.  Her name is Dr. Galib and she has an excellent vetern NP named Cheryl Levine.  It is rumored that you can get in within only a few weeks because their program is new.  I dont have their number handy but a call to Dallas Methodist should get you to them

Erin

[GI.PA]

Erin Dettrey, PA-C
Gastroenterology Associates of North Texas
1201 Summit Ave Suite 300
Fort Worth, TX 76102
817-335-2487
***@****

[GI.PA]

We tend to see relapse either around treatment week 35-48 (my experience, I have no data) or within the first few months after treatment is completed (like the study you are mentioning).

Since most who are negative at week 12 are also negative at week 24...it would make sense, to some, to not check a week 24, waiting until the end of treatment.

Either way, at minimum a week 12 and then week 72 (six months post treatment) is  the standard of care.  I also check at week 24 and 48 because I like to know exactly what is happening!

Gi.PA

[Revenire]

Hi Erin,

You said: "Since we base so much of our thinking on a week 12 PCR, many are not doing a week 24 PCR since nearly universally it will be the same as a week 12 PCR as far as results (ie. if you are undetectable at week 12, you will most likely be undetectable at week 24. ...it is week 50-post treatment that we see the virus sneak back up."

Did you mean that the virus, for those of us bring type 1s doing 48 weeks, can show up again as early as week 50? Or did you mean one year post-treatment?

I have heard, from some study, that most people relapse within 1-3 months of stopping treatment.

Thanks,

Scott

[katch20]

Lesions can be something like a hemangeoma-- a benign clutser of blood vessels.  Scary but not that important.  did you do a ct scan?  get one for peace of mind if you can

[GI.PA]

During treatment it is not unusual to have your MCV go high.  This reflects your red blood cells being a little larger than usual and goes away post treatment.  Usually we just watch this over time.

Since we base so much of our thinking on a week 12 PCR, many are not doing a week 24 PCR since nearly universally it will be the same as a week 12 PCR as far as results (ie. if you are undetectable at week 12, you will most likely be undetectable at week 24. ...it is week 50-post treatment that we see the virus sneak back up.

Gi.PA

[meandhepc]

NEED HELP Understanding:

what does it mean to have lesions on your liver?
What causes this?

Thanks,

[DreamAngel]

I am not sure if this is true, but I read some where that a High MCV can also be caused from a Lack of B12 and Folic acid, Or Blood Loss. Are you taking any supplements? I will see if I can find the site that listed this.

[mikesimon]

Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) measures the average volume (size) of individual red blood cells. A low MCV means that the cells are smaller than normal. This is usually caused by an iron deficiency or chronic disease. Many people with HIV have a high MCV caused by HIV medications. This is not dangerous. (Copied from a site)

I don't think this is anything to worry about and is probably a result of the tx. I've seen the same thing with my labs. Mike