HOW BAD IS IT, BASED ON RNA & VIRAL LOAD VALUES?

[5annie7]

Hi, My husband's Hep C RNA is 6.7 and his viral load is 4,570,000 IU/ML. Don't know his genotype....Are those values really bad/high??? Dr doesn't seem concerned about it. He used to have Hep B, but was told it's in remission now. Thanks for ANY info on the lab values!!!

[5annie7]

Will do! Thanks SO much! It's great to get some answers from people in the know.........

[HectorSF]

There is nothing to worry about as far as your husband's viral load (VL). VL does not relate to the level of HVC illness nor is it related to the progression of liver disease. Viral load (VL) It is used during treatment to measure how someone is responding the treatment.

Liver damage is really what you should focus on. Your husband should have a biopsy done to find out the status of any liver damage he may have. It usually takes many DECADES for the liver damage to progress to a stage where it will have an impact on the ability to undergo treatment.  Even then some people with Stage 4, cirrhosis, are able to clear the virus and stop the further progression of liver damage. Having Hep B and C tends to increase liver damage so please have him get a biopsy so he knows where he stands.

Let us know what happens.
Best of luck.
Hector