Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

diagnosis

Ok so I got my labs back today, I'm Genotype 1a and my viral load I was told is very bad, its 4,437,680.. Can anyone explain to me my test results? All I was told is that I needed to start the Pegasys, Ribaviron treatments immediately.. Please help, I'm scared and very nervous.. Only got diagnosed with Hep C in July..
10 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
You guys are great and I'm so happy that I have come hear to this forum! I am actually seeing a hepatologist, everything is just moving so quick for me!! I will talk to the doctor about the biopsy when I go on October 6th!! Thanks, and all of you are in my prayers. Its nice to know I have people I can actually come and talk to!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Heh, didn't finish my sentence above, phone rang. I was saying that I wasn't HAPPY to find out I had Hep C, but I was VERY HAPPY to find out before I had any major problems. Now I can DO SOMETHING about it. If I didn't know... well, the story might have turned out different down the road.

Robert
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Missy,

Lots of good advice here. I don't have a lot to add in that regard... but I can tell you that when I first found out I had this, I had so much anxiety and fear that I developed nosebleeds for a week.

Within a few days, after I learned that I wasn't going to die tommorrow from it, I began to absorb all the knowledge I could about it. Soon, my anxiety level dropped to normal. I can't say I was HAPPY about having Hep C, but it no longer controls my every waking thought. I can tell you that I was VERY HAPPY th

This too shall pass, as they say.

You will walk the same road. But just around the corner is a place where you will come to grips with it. You'll understand that hundreds of thousands, maybe millions, have traveled this same road and come out OK on the other side.

This disease CAN be beaten. Learn all you can. Remember, there are no silly questions here.

Robert
Helpful - 0
1225178 tn?1318980604
I agree with all of the above. My viral load was over 6 mil when I first started tx and my hepatologist said it was about average, and by the time I'd been on tx for a month it was down to 2,000 so.... like Bill says, it is used to see how well the meds are working.

You do NOT want to go through treatment with a doctor who isn't a specialist!!!!!!!!!!! Obviously yours isn't. There are so many possible bad side effects from the meds that you have to have someone who is up to date on the latest findings.

You have time to find a good doctor. This is a slow progressing disease but it is a long road to get rid of it, and you want to make sure you have the right support going into it.

Diane
Helpful - 0
179856 tn?1333547362
Yes insist.  If you do not have vast amount of liver damage that has progressed you would have time to wait until next year and see if the new (better odds, less time on treatment meds) meds come out and try then if you even need to.

HCV usually progresses very slowly. A doctor who would tell you that your viral load is high or dangerous or something doesn't sound like they know what exactly is going on.

Is this a general practitioner or a hep specialist?  My on PCP doc told me I had no fibrosis (I was already stage 3 so I dont know why she didn't understand that) and all sort of incorrect information. Most of them don't know anything about HCV as it is rather a specialized field and you want someone who is up to date and current on the new information and studies - not someone who is reading out of an old text book!
Helpful - 0
901131 tn?1293744553
I agree with copyman INSIST on a biopsy or find another Dr. You cant make a correct desion on treatment without knowing the extent of damage if any.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
you have to find out what stage of fibrosis you are to make a decision regarding treatment. if minimal fibrosis then waiting for the new drugs next year is best option. insist on a biopsy and if this doctor will not order it then you should find another doctor.

This is typically a slow moving disease and no need to jump into treatment.

best of luck
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks! But the only thing they have told me is that they want me to have the treatments, nothing about a biobsy.. My next appt is October 6th, I'm writing questions down to ask the doctor so that will be my first one. Again thanks, learning as I go!
Helpful - 0
87972 tn?1322661239
Hi there,

Sorry to hear of your diagnosis. Genotype 1 is a rather difficult strain of HCV to manage, as you’ve probably been told by now. Your viral load is actually rather average, and isn’t really important until treatment commences; at that time, it is used to gauge your response to the treatment drugs. It doesn’t necessarily correlate with disease progression, by the way.

Disease progression is best determined by liver biopsy; has that procedure been discussed with you yet? Depending on the degree of scarring, or fibrosis that’s accumulated we can judge how urgent treatment is; if you’re biopsy results indicate minimal fibrosis, it might be wise to postpone treatment in favor of more efficacious modalities in the future.

Welcome to the discussion group, Missy—

Bill

Helpful - 0
901131 tn?1293744553
Hi Missy, your viral load is not real bad that can go up over 25 million. What you need is a liver biopsy to see the extent of the damage it takes decades normally. What you need is a Hepatoligist {liver specialist}. Do you know how long you might of had HCV?I personally wouldn't do any treatment until I had a biopsy then decide. Next year there supposed to release a couple new drugs that make your odds a hell of a lot better of clearing the virus with shortened treatment.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Hepatitis C Community

Top Hepatitis Answerers
317787 tn?1473358451
DC
683231 tn?1467323017
Auburn, WA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Answer a few simple questions about your Hep C treatment journey.

Those who qualify may receive up to $100 for their time.
Explore More In Our Hep C Learning Center
image description
Learn about this treatable virus.
image description
Getting tested for this viral infection.
image description
3 key steps to getting on treatment.
image description
4 steps to getting on therapy.
image description
What you need to know about Hep C drugs.
image description
How the drugs might affect you.
image description
These tips may up your chances of a cure.
Popular Resources
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.