Confused/Viral count

[LS56]

I finally went to the gastro doc today. I was told that my viral is 5.43 ?? what does that mean exactly? He is sending me for liver sonogram, and extensive blood work to see my genotype? He told me that I should consider treatment due to my being 54.IF my strain will respone, which of course he does not know what that is yet.  He did not know much since he was going on the blood work from my primary. I do not understand the 5.43 however, I also have a lipoma on my right side, hurts in the morning like a stitch from running. He told me not to do anything about it now. I would just like to have more info on the viral count. I came away very confused and of course, i have to wait now 3 wks for tests to be run and results to come in. He asked if I was tested for hep a and b, and of course I did not know that either. So, at the risk of sounding ignorant what in the world could 5.43 stand for as a viral?? thank you for your patience everyone. and most of all thank you for being here. I also understand that this can get quite expensive so Im crying my eyes out tonight. I work, but pay for medicare coverage monthly from a prior disability of the back. I wanted to go back to work so I did the ticket to work program and now I have a g reat job I do not want to nor can I afford to give up. Disability did not even pay for a one day at the grocery store. thanks for listening. All help is appreciated as I am quite alone in this. Peace Linda

[summer7799]

Hi, I just went to my Dr to discuss my test results also. He said my viral load was 6.7 which he said equals 6,128,000. I was worried because 6 million sound very high, but he said it was average. I also went for a liver sonogram. My results showed some fatty liver and a slightly enlarged spleen. I just did the test for the genotype and am waiting for those results. My Dr wants me to start treatment soon. He says I don't need a liver biopsy. Can I ask what kind of Dr you are seeing? Also has your Dr mentioned getting a liver biopsy? Sounds like we are on a similar path :)

[desrt]

Hey ;-)

[can-do-man]

Hi desrt...:)

[can-do-man]

Your count in numbers would be around 275,000 which is low, more important will be your geno type..... Hang in there until you find this out then you will know more about your options on treating........ Best to you

http://www.hepatitis-central.com/hcv/hepatitis/loadchart.html

cando

[desrt]

http://rechneronline.de/logarithm/

5.43 is the exponent of the base 10 number 269,153. It means you have a viral load of aprox. 270,000.