abbreviations for the newbies

[tulsatime]

PCR: polymerase chain reaction (viral count) this test we some times get at the 4-wk, 12wk and 24wk during treatment to see how or if our viral load has gone down.
TX: treatment
SX: side effects
BX: biopsy
HX: history
VL: viral load
EVR: early viral response
RVR: rapid viral response
SVR: This is what we all want = sustained viral response
AST & ALT: liver enzyme
WBC: white blood count
DX: diagnosis
GGT: gammer glutamil transferase
ANC: absolute neutrophil count
RBC - Red blood count
HGB - Hemoglobin
IFN - Interferon shot, most often Pegylated-Interferon
Riba - Ribavirin
Epo - Epogen/Procrit
Neup - Neupogen

[Anthony K]

I've been confused and have been trying to learn as fast as I could. Now, you'll bookmark this page terms and study them by heart.
Thanks a lot.

[tulsatime]

now that sounds like a good idea. A greeting to the newbies to join the family. Then a post all the abbreviations at the top. take care, Debi

[APKhaos]

Great stuff! We were all newbies once, right?

After finding this site early this year, the acronyms had me baffled. Now I dream them.

Somebody mentioned that medhelp was running a user survey. Anyone know anything about that?

Now don't get me wrong here, this is not a complaint. This site is worth its weight in gold. That said, there are some very impressive open source [read free of charge] forum packages around today. Imagine this board with active threads popping to the top, with the ability to edit your threads after posting, and more. The feature that would really help newbies is the ability to make threads like this one 'sticky' so that they stay at the top - instant info for newcomers to our happy band.

I'm sure its something medhelp have/are considering, but the survey is the place to raise it.

[Ocala]

Thanks, very helpful.
Ocala gal

[LindyK]

Thanks so much for the list.  I'm one of the newbies and have had to learn a lot in a very short time.  This forum has been a Godsend!  I am anxiously awaiting the results of lab work to learn my genotype and V/L.  3 weeks or so ago when I found this website it was like reading Greek.  I feel at least like I have a Bachelors Degree in understanding Hep C thanks to everyone writing here and for all the great links.

Thank you!!!  Thank you!!!  Thank you!!!

[tulsatime]

Thanks neptune. Seems like a lot of newbies lately. I am sure glad a lot of people are finding some comfort and answers here. Have a great weekend.Talk to you later, Debi

[neptune235]

Excellent!

Add...AFP -- alpha feto-protein, tumor marker.