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help understanding lab tests...
Hello, I've had hep c for 8 years and for the first time got bloodwork done to see my viral load. Unfortunately I cannot understand it and my doctor didn't explain it so I'm freaking out bc I want to know my situation. All enzyme and liver levela are normal. The hcv quantitative test is 1970 iu/ml. The test beneath that says 3.294 (log10) iu/ml. Why do they make this so confusing? Please help...
You have a viral load of 1970, the 3.294 (log10) I just another way of stating t only in log form but they both mean the same thing. BTW that is a really low number to have. Here is a chart showing you the numbers both ways. Best to you.
http://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/viral-load-converting-log-values-to-numbers
http://i-base.info/qa/factsheets/viral-load-converting-log-values-to-numbers
Hi and welcome to the forum
That seems to be a viral load test result which if you have a viral load you do have hepatitis c. The numbers are two different ways doctors use to analyze the amount of hepatitis c virus circulating in your blood. One is a direct count and the other is based on a logarithmic scale.
For you though they don't mean much except you do have hep c and if being treated your viral load will be checked to see if you have eradicated the virus with treatment.
Easy to say but hard to do I know but take a breath, and don't worry too much. Many of us here have had hep c for many years. I have had it for about 37 years. So the virus usually takes a long time to do serious harm to your liver.
Also hopefully you know about the recent advances in treatment for hep c just approved in the last year and the newest approved by the FDA just this month. These new treatments are much easier to take, with fewer side effects, for shorter duration usually about 12 weeks, and much more effective at getting rid of the virus than the previous treatments. Effectiveness is in the upper 90 % range. So that is the good news.
Just have the tests your doctor wants and follow their instructions. Get treated, get cured! Then you can go on with the rest of your life free of the worry of having hep c.
Good luck
Lynn
That seems to be a viral load test result which if you have a viral load you do have hepatitis c. The numbers are two different ways doctors use to analyze the amount of hepatitis c virus circulating in your blood. One is a direct count and the other is based on a logarithmic scale.
For you though they don't mean much except you do have hep c and if being treated your viral load will be checked to see if you have eradicated the virus with treatment.
Easy to say but hard to do I know but take a breath, and don't worry too much. Many of us here have had hep c for many years. I have had it for about 37 years. So the virus usually takes a long time to do serious harm to your liver.
Also hopefully you know about the recent advances in treatment for hep c just approved in the last year and the newest approved by the FDA just this month. These new treatments are much easier to take, with fewer side effects, for shorter duration usually about 12 weeks, and much more effective at getting rid of the virus than the previous treatments. Effectiveness is in the upper 90 % range. So that is the good news.
Just have the tests your doctor wants and follow their instructions. Get treated, get cured! Then you can go on with the rest of your life free of the worry of having hep c.
Good luck
Lynn
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