question about 4 week vl

[sallyo]

Hello all, I will be taking my 4th peg injection next Wednesday.  I have a standing order for a monthly vl so I can control to some extent when it is done.  Should I have it drawn before the Wednesday injection, after or the day of.  Any suggestions?  Also just to let you know, the sx I was not experiencing did kick in after this last (3rd) shot.  Not too bad but oh so familiar.  Already had to start the neupogen but the other labs (enymes) have come down nicely.

[nygirl7]

Jim is 100% correct - that is how we do it in here. Of course I am sure some people with out our infinite wisdom do it differently, but when you think it out...that is the most true result you can get. When the Interferon is not at it's peak.

[jmjm530]

If you take the viral load test the day before the fourth shot, then it's considered a week 3 viral load test. If you take the test the day before your fifth shot, then it's considered the week 4 viral load test. Hope this clarifies.

[ladybug52]

Still watching the Emmy's?:) Thanks for clarifying twice the past few days about viral load testing. That means I had my first pcr that was <50 at three weeks because it was several days before my 4th shot. And my heptamax was really at week 4. I've been calculating it all wrong. Thanks again.

[jmjm530]

Nothing wrong with having them draw blood for viral load on both Tuesdays. That way you will have both a 3 and 4 week viral load test. Just insist that they use a very sensitive test like "Heptimax" by Quest Diagnostics that goes down to 5 IU/ml.

All the best,

-- Jim

[sallyo]

Thank you so much.  I have to have blood drawn on Tuesday but will try to keep them from drawing the vl.until the next Tuesday.  Sometimes they listen to me and sometimes not. I will try to make it clear

[jmjm530]

You want to draw blood for your 4-week viral load test the day before your fifth injection.

Always take your viral load tests the day before your injection if possible, and never the day after the injection. That way you will always get a conservative "trough" reading.

All the best luck,

-- Jim