PCR-QUANTITATIVE - VIRUS LOAD?

[brazeagle]

VIRAL LOAD HEPATITIS C = 1.675.048 UI/ML
VIRAL LOAD HAPATITIS C = 6.22 UI in LOG/ML

ARE THEY  TOO MUCH, NORMAL OR LITTLE LOAD?

I see posts that says 900K, some says 490.000 MG but mine has this UI/ML ?

Thank you
will be seeing Dr. Douglas Dieterich on the 4th of Sept... I am happy camper.

brazeagle

[jmjm530]

If I remember correctly, one of your concerns is that the Mission might not let you work because they think your Hep C somehow makes you too sick to work. Assuming that Dr. D. and yourself come to an agreement not to treat (or to treat for that matter) I'm sure that he would write a letter for you to the Mission explaining that having Hep C does not mean that you can't function at your job. Make sure to ask him for such a letter if this is one of your concerns. He carries weight.

-- Jim

[NYCMark]

sounds just right.

[jmjm530]

Jim previously:
"Based on what I've read, can't think of a better person to treat with, but not sure I'd advise people to blindly follow his treatment recommendations."
-----------------------
That came out sounding wrong. What I meant to say that he's probably the best person to treat with, but that doesn't mean you should treat solely because he recommends it. But if you do start treating with him, I'm sure his treatment recommendations are on the money.

-- Jim

[jmjm530]

Mark, My point about Dr. D is that he probably doesn't hestitate to recommend treatment to *anyone*. That's appears to be his take on the disease and current treatments. Treat. Treat. Treat.

Based on what I've read, can't think of a better person to treat with, but not sure I'd advise people to blindly follow his treatment recommendations. Certainly if one has signficant fibrosis, then of course. But if not, people should know that not treating with the current drugs is a very reasonable option that many doctors would agree with. Perhaps just not Dr. D.

-- Jim

[NYCMark]

I hope your visit with Dr. D and team goes very well.  He's been my doctor for the last 4 years, and I am currently nearing the end of my treatment for HepC in the next month or 2. As Jiim said, he's a very aggressive treater and will not hesitate to recommend treatment if he thinks it's in your best interest. (His nurse practioner Damaris is also one of the very best!)

Best to you,
Mark

[brazeagle]

Thanks Jim,
it will be a challange, since if I start treatment, most likely I will loose my job contract.
So I will tell him after evalution (if it is fine) I rather NOT statr it now.

Thanks again,
Luiz

[jmjm530]

Glad you got in contact with Dr. D. Definitely one of the best in the country.

As to whether or not you should treat, even though I believe I recommended Dr. D. to you a few weeks ago, he is known as a very agressive treater. And according to a recent video of his, he recommends treatment to just about everyone regardless of liver damage. Just keep this in mind because many other good doctors might suggest holding off treatment if you have little or no liver damage. I certainly would but of course I'm not a doctor.

Dr. D. is definitely the right person to evaluate your condition and give you options. But in the end it's your liver and it's your decision whether to treat now or wait. So try and learn as much as possible about both the pro's and con's.

All the best,

-- Jim

[brazeagle]

Thank you much,
understood.
Regards and good luck,
brazeagle

[zazza]

A viral load can also be expressed in logs, which means translating the result in IU/ml to "10 to the power of ...". So the log of 1'675'048 IU/ml equals 6.22. This makes it easier to compare increase and decrease in viral loads.

If your viral load decreases with one log that means it had decreased with 90%, a two-log decrease means a decrease of 99%.

Hope I got the math right!

[zazza]

IU/ml is the best unit for viral loads, it means international units, and makes it possible to compare the results from different kinds of viral load tests. The K in 900K just means thousand, i e 900 000 IU/ml. mg means milligram, but is not used about viral loads, ribavarin is dosed in milligrams.

[brazeagle]

Thanks for the info,
I can wait to see him, I really want to come back to my Mission for at least another 2 years before treatment.

Regards to all and I will post as soon as I see Dr. D.D.

brazeagle

[FlGuy]

Dr.DD wil probabl;y take many factors into consideration.  These may include extent of fibrosis or liver involvement, any other conditions, lifestyle (like if you are a missionary), access to continuing care.  And then there are personal decisions for you, as well.

Not sure if you know, Dr. DD himself had hep-c and is one of those docs who has a lot of first-hand information and provided a lot of guidance.  One thing I've always admired in reading by/about him is that he has walked a mile in those shoes.

[brazeagle]

Thanks guys,
it clears my mind a bit.

QUESITON?  
Due to the viral load 1.6 Million, does that mean when the doctor sees me, he will say I need treatment NOW?

[FloridaMouse]

Hey braz,

Looks pretty "typical" ffor a hepper.  I had a VERY low viral load (90,000) when I started tx.  My doc was surprised.  He said most heppers are in the millions.  

Mouse

[FlGuy]

In the world of viral loads, 1.6 million is about in the medium range.  In current treatment, I started with about 4 million and reduced to undetectable levels in 2 weeks.  The real important number is zero, not necessarily what you start with.  Since VL fluctuates and the viral load tests have varying tolerances the 1.6 is just a point in time measurement.