ALT 37.5 HCV RNA 17,215,396 IU/ml

[karenmarlon]

Can someone explain me my result? I was found HCV reactive last 2 months and I just get my HCV RNA result yesterday. I research the high and low range for HCV RNA but I cannot undestand it.
Thank you.

[mpace6983]

I never thought about  if the Roche P.A.P. was just for people in the U.S. or if it's worldwide. It would be easy enough to find out with a phone call.. Took week 30 inj yesterday afternoon.Feel like ****,no worse than usual though. I just thank the LORD that it has my count at UND. About time for the NASCAR race sunday I'll start to feel human again. I really like NASCAR and it could be just the anticipation of watching the race helps me start feeling better,lol.

[punkyling]

You do need to be tested before you can even begin to consider treatment.  Roche is a great place, I use them because the cost was so great, my insurance wanted to charge me $1000 monthly.  Roche sent me all the forms I needed and within 2 weeks was approved.

Research the side effects.  Although it should have been something I did prior to my treatment, it really wouldn't have changed my mind about beginning the treatment.  If you are unable to locate a doctor, talk to your family doctor.  He should have some recommendations.

You have a disease that will not cure itself, you must do that.  Find your doctor, begin your treatment, and continue using this site for answers and help.

Good luck

[nygirl7]

I don't know if they provide the drugs free of charge to the Phillipines or not, I don't think that has ever come up here before - although I could be wrong.

You just found out you have the disease and you need time to think it all through and decide what to do.  The one thing you cannot do though is worry too much about the side effects.  Some people get them terribly and some people don't get them very badly.

What you do need to do is find out how much liver damage you have (if you even have any yet) and then make smart decisions.  You cannot base anything in your life on fear.

Take your time and find a doctor and just take it a step at a time.  

Good luck.

[mpace6983]

Karen you are awful young to be having questions concerning treatment. Roche, the company has a patient prescription program that will give you the meds free of charge and they will overnight FedEx it to you at no charge. As for finding a doctor in your area first look for a hepatologist(they concentrate on the liver) If there isnt a Hepa, look for a gastrointerologist(their field is the organs of the digestive system.,including the liver) If you cant find either of these,an internist can help you. If you post looking for a Dr. in your area someone will probably have some 411 for you.There are other websites where you can go to find a Dr..National Liver Foundation, National Hepatitis Foundation and Roche has a website named Pegassist. it has lots of info.The side effects of the treatment are temporary,liver damage is permanent. And if you dont stop the virus,it will keep causing worse and worse scarring,until you wind up with full blown cirrosis or hepacarsinoma (cancer) when the diesease progresses to this stage your only option is a transplant This is a very serious infection..And remember, when you read a list of side effects from treatment, that doesnt mean that your gonna get every one of the side effects.Some people go thru treatment without ANY major problems.You pray hard about this'and I think you will see that treatment is the logical way to go.BTY a family of 1 can make $32,000us and still qualify for the free meds. good luck and let me know what you decide.

[karenmarlon]

Thank you for your comment. I really appreciate it. I just read this forum this morning and it is very helpful. I am a devotee of Mama Mary and Im praying that if ever I need to be treated I will not suffer too much. I also is not 100 percent sure to go on treatment because of the side effects. Im on the search of a good doctor here in the Philippines if I really need to be treated.thank you again

[mpace6983]

Karen, the low range for HCV RNA is zero. If you dont have Hep C,there wont be any virus in your blood. ALT reading of 37.5 is within normal range (9-60 u/l) another liver enzyme that they usually check is AST,normal (10-35 u/l)  These enzymes dont give your Dr. any specific diagnosis, but, if there elevated, it lets him know that something is going on with your liver. Normally with a +HCV RNA,your Dr. will want to do a liver biopsy,this will tell him the level of fibrosis(scarring and damage) if any. The scale for liver damage is 1-4. 1 being slight damage,4 being severe possibly with cirrosis. Like HCA said, the viral count doesn't seem to have any correlation with your chances of success or failure of interferon treatment. Good Luck.

[HCA]

It's pretty high but that doesn't mean anything-if you respond well to treatment it will melt like snow.
Other data like the health of your liver is much more important.