Can the time of exposure be determined by viral load

[redvic56]

The Dr who originally confirmed the diagnosis of Hep C told me that the viral load can be useful in determining time of exposure, I have found nothing to support this. My original and only exposure according to the DR was blood given in 1973. I am unconvinced, as my viral load is low and I have had no acute symptoms. I don't believe that the exposure has been eliminated through testing. I was fine until an open fracture in 2005. I have been religious in my annual physicals. Nothing has appeared until this year. An elevated AST caused other testing. I have a 14mm cyst on my liver. Other than that my liver is homogeonous no sign of fibrosis. I have a benign pancreatic neoplasm, serous cystadenoma. What is going on?

[lalapple]

viral load tends to fluctuate for some.  probably not the most accurate determinant of how long you've had it.

[meakea]

Viral load gives you no clues to the time frame.  I most likely have had Hep C my entire life (I turned 54 last week).  I first was diagnosed in April 08 and my first viral load in July 08 was 30,100...very, very low.  I traced my medical records back to the 70's and I found that my liver function tests were elevated all the way back then but no doc ever told me.  So...it's pretty sure that I got it from a transfusion when I was 2 days old.  

A viral load of 30,100 after 53+ years is pretty good proof that the viral load number doesn't mean much unless it's to track how well treatment is working.

[Marc1955]

I second PegonPeg, you might want to consider consulting with a hepatologist. I get the impression that the cyst was discovered through a sonogram. Sonograms do not reveal the status of fibrosis of the liver. The "gold standard," as they say, for determining the state of your liver is a biopsy. It's a relatively simple outpatient procedure. Given the fact that your AST is elevated, you definitely should plan to get one. This will help you determine your best course of action.

[PegOnPeg]

To answer your original question, No...VL cannot determine the amount of time that you've been exposed.

If your doctor is making statements like that...and you think that you might treat to clear the virus, I would highly recommend changing doctors...this one is clueless.

I'm sorry...I have no insight to pancreatic issues or cyst...

good luck **