Numbers

[DodieP]

My son was recently told his numbers for ATL have gone from 55 to 146 in 2 monnths and his ASL has gone from 146 to 376 in the same time frame. About 6 months ago he was told some other numbers were almost 30 million. What does this mean? He is showing signs of extreme fatigue and he looks more drawn that he has in the past. He is incarcerated for another year and I am concerned he won't get the medical attention he needs.

[Fnzol]

It means that it is possible that he has HCV.  Since you've posted in the HCV forum, can we assume that this possibility has already been discussed with him/you?

The ALT and ASL are measures of liver enzymes.  They can elevate with hepatitis infection.  The 30 mill might be a measure of his viral load.  

You should get some clarification from your son or the authorities who provided those data.  

[Trish77]

Echoing much of Fnzol's post.  The 30 million number might not be accurate but sounds like the kind of number one would be given for a viral load when having Hep C.  I would ask specifically if a diagnosis of Hep C has been established.  Higher rates of HCV among the incarcerated.  If he has HCV, then I'd ask what genotype he is, what his viral load is and if they've done a biopsy.  All of this gets factored into a treatment decision.  Good luck with this.  

[copyman]

Contact Dr Cecil. Here is his website  http://hepatitisdoctor.com/

He is an advocate for prisoners with HCV.

Good luck to you and your son

[kanadiankim]

Dear Copyman,

Who is Dr, Cecil please?

kim

[copyman]

Take a look at his website. He is a liver doctor specializing in Hepatitis.  The website should tell you everything you need to know about him.

[kanadiankim]

tHANK YOU. I amnew to all of this but i have beeen rEADING A LOT BEFORE I POSTED. YOU,bill1954, nygirl7,willbb,trinity, specta trying to learn. i get most of it ie: und vs svr etc but every once in a while i need clarification.

i hope you dont mind a newcomer asking 1questions i have a lot.

never been to ny before and boy its loud but wow whata place! I have an appt wit Dr.Jacobson I hear/read he is excellent and i am anxious but excited too. i hope i picked the right one. canadian care is so far behind you "Yanks" I just wanted to pay for real medical to find out what to do. A second opinion if you will. i know he will say lose weight and i'm doing it - i want to win. coinfection makes it harder but i of sharing with my 'little peeps' will not give up.

thank you for taking the time to let me talk and vent.  i teach second graders and dont have the luxury and i really appreciate it here with you all.

thank you

[Bill1954]

Hi Kim-

Welcome to the discussion group. You might get more thoughts if you go to the top of the page and click on the green ‘post a question’ button. This will open a dialogue box to let you start your own discussion.

You can refer to this page to help with the acronyms used in here:

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Hepatitis/Common-Hepatitis-C-Acronyms/show/3?cid=64

Dr Ben Cecil is a Louisville, Kentucky based hepatologist that has advocated for incarcerated individuals, among other things.

Good luck and welcome again,

-Bill