blood work

[winner727]

since starting tx ,have had blood every two weeks .now my dr said there would be a four wk stretch does that seem normal ? is this standard?  Ive taken 10 shots ,with no "bad" numbers according to them.     no ;  I havent gotten lab records so cant tell anyone what they are . this Is my next project {tommorow}   thanks ahead of time  

[newleaf09]

It is normal because at a certain point. patterns indicate that the bloodwork has stabilized.  Yeah, it can be low levels and crummy but not dangerous.  If you feel like you are not stabilized or suddenly feel a whole lot worse, do let them know so they can check more often until you are actually stabilized.  You will eventually go to 6 week blood draws.

[eureka254]

My husband had a draw every 2 weeks from start of tx until week 12, monthly draws after that, but at week 24 due to anemia they are again drawing him (at least) every 2 weeks.  Not having to draw more often than every 4 weeks usually means your numbers are stable :).  

[winner727]

thank you . Im writing this all down ,I have a full sheet of questions            lol      my GI actually is on vacation the month of may ,  I will get to see the  "lead" ? doc .the guy I saw right  before biopsy ,deciding on treatment  etc  . he will think Ive  been to medical school   oh boy !

[charm27]

I went from every two weeks to every month as well. As soon as they saw my blood levels were stable (they dropped but stable) they changed my routine to every month.
I started as 14 HGB by end of tx I was 9.8.
Never went lower........

I think the regimen of every month is normal for many of us that dont have a rapid decline in HGB even though it does get lower....

[Tippyclubb]

The most important thing is to get blood work PCR--that tells you your viral load and if your UND.  Its your 12th week PCR , but you must get this the day of your 13th shot, but before the shot.

No the four week stretch is not normal when your week 10.  Make sure to ask the doc about the 12th week PCR.  You do not want to miss this one.

We were all uneducated at one time.  Spend a little more time researching and reading the forum. Everything you need to know is here and of course you know if you have questions all you have to do is ask.

[GSDgirl]

It is not too late to start getting copies but don't wait overly long as it is harder down the line.  At least I had a problem and never got a few of them.  And we are / were all uneducated about a lot of things LOL, but we learn and go forward.  Good luck & BTW they did do my blood work farther apart later on.

Denise

[winner727]

I so feel uneducated ,somtimes here . I now {through reading posts}  should of gotten copys of numbers .will be requesting  those tommorow . I write down alot of things written by  a few people here  jmjm550   nygirl    trish   the ones that seem to know this  HCV . even though I am easily confused ,I  TRY  to understand as much as my  brain will let me .  thanks   I promise to post bood wk numbers ,  

[Tippyclubb]

After week 12 my blood was drawn monthly.  The should do a pcr at week 12. Do you know if they did one at week 4 and if so were you UNd or not.  You should always get a copy of all of your blood work.  They have to give it to you if you request it.