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Viral Load
I am reviewing alot of questions and answers today on our site here. Who would I ask for the Viral Load results? Would my family doctor who initially did the HCV RNA Quantitative test have this result or the gastroenterologist? What exactly does viral load mean and are there "normal" ranges or is everyone, which I am sure, different regarding this test? Hoping I do not sound to ignorant, however, I am going to ask anyway! And, what are the "normal" ranges for viral load? Thanks in advance for all of your replies.
Hi Bill!!!! .....and Everyone!!!
Thanks for the information!! No, I haven't gotten a copy of any of the initial testings. Only know what they have told me. I just got on here to check my responses. (I am still learning how to maneuver on here!! lol).
I will get a copy of those records when I go for my next visit with my family doctor.
Plus, I guess I need to write that GI dr....I did get a copy of the liver biopsy test from that nurse practitioner I saw. I am still studying up on alo of this stuff!!
I did learn something...the viral load IS the HCV RNA Quantitative test!!?? That is what FNZOL noted above. And, no, I don't have those results in hand.
And, Bill, you have the greater than ranges noted!!! Thanks!!
I will continue to ask questions and review all of your replies/responses. I have MUCH to learn and I know that you guys are alot farther out here on information!!
Praying you all are having an ok day!! I am doing ok today, too. Been in most all of the day. Haven't gone anywhere....
Going to watch news and will be back!!!
Thanks for the information!! No, I haven't gotten a copy of any of the initial testings. Only know what they have told me. I just got on here to check my responses. (I am still learning how to maneuver on here!! lol).
I will get a copy of those records when I go for my next visit with my family doctor.
Plus, I guess I need to write that GI dr....I did get a copy of the liver biopsy test from that nurse practitioner I saw. I am still studying up on alo of this stuff!!
I did learn something...the viral load IS the HCV RNA Quantitative test!!?? That is what FNZOL noted above. And, no, I don't have those results in hand.
And, Bill, you have the greater than ranges noted!!! Thanks!!
I will continue to ask questions and review all of your replies/responses. I have MUCH to learn and I know that you guys are alot farther out here on information!!
Praying you all are having an ok day!! I am doing ok today, too. Been in most all of the day. Haven't gone anywhere....
Going to watch news and will be back!!!
There are no normal ranges, is it is not normal to have the virus. Less than 400,000 per millimeter is considered low. Greater than is considered high. Your true viral load is, VLx3,500. As you have about 3.5 letters of blood in your body.
http://www.webmd.com/hepatitis/c-hcv-viral-load
This web site has some basics but I'm sure others can tell you more. I don't think there are "normal" ranges but I could be wrong. From what I have read the virol load doesn't apply till you are treating then it is used to judge your progress.
My virol load this time last year was 5 mil don't know what it is now.
Good luck
Donna
This web site has some basics but I'm sure others can tell you more. I don't think there are "normal" ranges but I could be wrong. From what I have read the virol load doesn't apply till you are treating then it is used to judge your progress.
My virol load this time last year was 5 mil don't know what it is now.
Good luck
Donna
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Agreeing with others, there is no normal range for virus; although it might be a bit confusing at first. Even when you have no measurable virus, tests aren’t sensitive to zero. So the results listed might say something like, ‘in range: <50 IU/mL, log 1.69 IU/mL’. This might through you off at first; but if you’re not in treatment, you’d be expected to have viral load in the hundreds of thousands, if not millions.
Importantly, keep in mind that unlike some other diseases, HCV viral load doesn’t necessarily correlate with disease severity or progression. That is, it’s quite possible to have very high (50,000,000) viral load with little scarring; conversely, my viral load was always low (125,000) but I had very significant stage 3-4 fibrosis.
By all means, ask questions as they arise; this is how most of us cut our teeth in here.
Good luck—
-Bill