My GI had told me a year or two ago that it was at a log value of six but my most recent blood work showed it at 105,000.
Greetings - I know what the urge to fight this disease is like and just get rid of it is like. We all do. The thing is knowing the stage of fibrosis you are could really allay your anxiety and help you make an informed choice.
There are noninvasive ways to get an idea of what your stage of fibrosis you are. There are pro & con to each method but some information is better than none.
Do you happen to have your copy of your lab results? A viral load of 105,000 is a viral load between 5 & 5.1
6 log is 1,000,000
Here's a chart
http://www.hepatitis-central.com/hcv/hepatitis/loadchart.html
Best of luck and let us know how this works out :)
I am genotype 1a and my doctor was wanting to do a liver biopsy but I was pregnant so I couldn't have it done. I am just worried that if I do not actively fight this virus that I might not have very good chances of beating it. Thanks for your time and comments!!! They are greatly appreciated!
What is your genotype? Your genotype will determine what medication protocol is used.
"My doctor wants me to wait for another year to start treatment because the drugs he is wanting to use are still in research stage although they are using them on other patients currently."
You say you have only had HCV for around 4 years. To truly assess the damage the virus has caused, you need to have a liver biopsy. If you have only had it 4 years, my guess would be that you could wait for the new interferon free treatment that will hopefully be out in the up and coming years....but its just an opinion. Like I said, a biopsy is the only way to truly assess your situation. It sound like your dr is fairly informed if hes up to date on the studies. You can always get a second opinion.
Good Luck
It all depends on what genotype you are and level of liver damage you have.I'm assuming you most be a G1 and if you have very little liver damage such as stage 1 then your GI or hepa is correct in making you wait for the new meds that are coming soon.
Did you get a biopsy to assess to your stage of fibrosis?
Do you know your genotype
These 2 things are more important in making the decision to treat or not than your viral load count,which as been relatively low for many years anyhow.
All the best to you.