lab tests during treatment?

I spoke with my specialist (the old one, dec 5th I meet with new one) briefly on the phone today and asked her when and what the lab tests r. She told me the viral load is Wk 4, 12 and then at the end if I'm UND at week 12. If I'm detected at all at wk 12 the treatment stops. She said I get my CBC every 2 weeks for the first 2mos and then monthly after that. This all doesn't seem right. I thought the viral load testing was done more than that after week 12 and I thought CBC was everyweek or at least every 2 weeks the ENTIRE 48weeks. Help please!!

[hrsepwrguy]

Protocol for incivek states VL at wks 4,12,24, if UND at 4 and 12 24 wks total tx if DET at wk but 4 under 1000 48 wks total tx but at 12 wks you must still be under 1000 to continue, if DET at 24 wks stop all tx

[hrsepwrguy]

That is for tx naives with out cirrhosis

[hrsepwrguy]

You can read it for yourself at

http://pi.vrtx.com/files/uspi_telaprevir.pdf

[journey91]

Thank you. I am tx naïve and no cirrhosis so that helps. Thank you. Now looking for CBC info.

[hrsepwrguy]

its in sec 5.6 of the pdf link provided

[hrsepwrguy]

Hematology evaluations (including white cell differential count) are recommended at weeks 2, 4, 8 and 12 or as clinically appropriate thereafter.
Chemistry evaluations (electrolytes, serum creatinine, uric acid, hepatic enzymes, bilirubin, and TSH) are recommended as frequently as the hematology
evaluations or as clinically indicated [see Adverse Reactions (6)].


Seems most docs do more frequent cbc testing I think alot depends on early response effects on blood counts, mine stabilized at wk 4 but of course you don't find that out until later test but this is the guidelines set forth by vertex

[pooh55811]

My doctor has ordered weekly hematology tests (complete CBC), and metabolic/chemistry panel every 2 weeks (also inclding liver panel, kidney values, TSH and Protime and PTT).