determining amt of viral load

confused by lab result. My Dr. suggested I see a specialist and did not give me any information on the results.
I requested a copy of the result but do not understand what  HCV  by bdna QUANT 39075 (BI)  means. Where does it fall on the viral load chart. Is this bad???

[Bill1954]

Hi there,

You’ll get better response to your query by posting a new thread like this.

Actually, a viral load of 39,075 is considered low; the current cut off to determine low from high viral load is 400,000 IU/mL. I assume they are using IU/mL as a reference?

You’re specialist should go over options with you; and suggest ideas in regard to disease management. They’ll likely order more tests as well, including an ‘HCV genotype’ test to determine the particular ‘strain’ of disease you have contracted.

Viral load doesn’t necessarily correlate with disease progression; this is often determined by liver biopsy. A small sample of tissue is taken; pathology exams this sample and issues a report as to the amount of fibrosis, or scarring that might have occurred to date.

In the meantime, don’t use alcohol, and be careful with personal care items such as toothbrushes, nail clippers, etc that might exchange blood with others.

If you have specific questions regarding the disease or its management, someone here will try to help.

Good luck and take care-

-Bill

[confused2011865]

Thanks Bill that was a huge help! The confusing part was the (BI) after the number it was not in IU/mL, reference range was 39,075 (BI). Is that the same thing?

[Bill1954]

Actually, I’ve never seen the unit ‘BI’ used before; where was this test performed, in the U.S.?

Viral load is commonly expressed in IU/ml, although both EQ/mL and Copies/mL have been used in the past. Good question for the lab or the doctor!

Regardless, it appears active RNA infection is present. Viral load itself doesn’t affect management unless the patient is treating for the disease; at that point, it’s used as a barometer of response to the medications. Unlike HIV and Hep B, viral load is of minimal help in determining disease progression.

Best of luck to you,

Bill

[confused2011865]

Except the 39075 (BI) they had a H (flag) for High and range/units < 615IU/ml.
The result interpretation was in (BI). They were done here in MA at UMass Med. Center.
You are right and I am in denial also a little upset about this whole thing because otherwise I am VERY healthy.
Just trying to come to terms with it and avoid treatments until something better comes along............as you can tell I have been on every web site you can imagine trying to figure this out. Not a big fan of Dr's and with this particular diagnosis it seems so far the cure is worse than the cause and I'm more likely to die of something else!
Appreciate all your input and will eventually follow up with things. Mr husband is starting to call me Doctor.

[Bill1954]

Yeah, many of us felt perfectly fine at diagnosis. For the most part, HCV is asymptomatic until much later, when (if) cirrhosis develops. You should probably try to shed some of your dislike/distrust for the medical world long enough to at least determine if any significant fibrosis is present; from there, you can make informed choices. Many folks take the watch ‘n wait position like you; others can’t stand cohabbing with the virus. Not really a problem waiting, as long as no extensive damage is present.  

Good luck, doctor :o)

Bill

[confused2011865]

Thanks so much for all you help. I think being part of this community will be a great support for me as I goooooooo forward.
Have a great night