Can someone help me read this blood work!

[MsDragonSlayer]

My doctor sent me my results, he has not gone over anything other than your und, just wondered what the rest means? I am such a newbie! It's my only journal entry open to public viewing, thanks so much for the help! Carolyn

[MsDragonSlayer]

Thank you so much, it's starting to make more sence to me now, I have a long way to go, but this info is so helpful, I will keep up the research and hopefully by the time this is all over, I will be able to help others as well. God bless, Carolyn

[eureka254]

Your results are excellent, and no need at all to be concerned about the few things that are 'out of range.'  As far as what it all means:

The hepatic function panel measures things produced by your liver, and they were all normal numbers for you.  Doctors usually order them monthly during treatment to make sure you're liver is not sustaining damage as a result of the meds.  (For example, people with poor liver function might have low albumin or high bilirubin).

The CBC test is a breakdown (differential) of various kinds of blood cells and their related measurements.  Your white blood cells (WBC) though a little low are not in any danger of putting you at risk of infection -- the "Abs" and 'cytes' and 'phils' are the parts that tell your doc what part of  your WBCs is low, and Absolute Neutrophils is the one to watch, and you were OK there.  The platelet count being 131 is just a hair below normal, and again, no need for concern.  Platelets is what makes your blood clot, and no need for caution unless you start dipping below 90,000.

Hope that makes sense and helps some.  Good going, and good luck! ~eureka

[brianmo]

I was at the doctor today with this same question. My WBC are very low but absolute neu are fantastic so she said not to worry. I plan to be on a plane several hours and I was concerned about catching something.

[can-do-man]

Its your Absolute neutrophils you want to keep an eye on and your in great shape there.......... Most people would love to have these results.

[MsDragonSlayer]

Since my white cell count is sooo low, should I be more careful of who I come in contact with, like trying to stay away from crowds?

[belle19]

you need to look at her journal.   belle

[spectda]

I don't see the report, am I missing something?

[MsDragonSlayer]

Thanks for the help, I will go try to stud up on this some more, now I wish I'd gone to medical school!

[MsDragonSlayer]

Scribbled across the sheet is says need RX 11 mos, what does that keen?

[flcyclist]

Since this is a 2 part test, RT-PCR, then the TMA, you might have only received the first part and the TMA will be be following.  That would be my guess.  Ask your doc for clarification.

[MsDragonSlayer]

It says because the HCV-RNA level is below 43, IU/mL using the real-timePCR method, the sample was assayed using the transcription - mediated amplification ( TMA) method.
This test was performed using theCOBAS (R) AmpliPREP / COBAS ( R) TaqMan ( R) HCV Test Kit (Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.)

I don't understand :(

[MsDragonSlayer]

I am taking 800 per day, it doesn't seem right to have to wait almost 3 weeks for these results, I retest in 9 days, and again, it will take another 3 weeks, I wonder if I can get a quick platelet test done with quick results. If I am bottoming out and need procrit or something, it would be nice to know a little sooner. I suppose besides feeling like slow death, which I always do, I guess I would look for signs like being pale? Whachathink?

Carolyn

[flcyclist]

I wish my blood levels looked that good!  And congrats on the und.  We were all neebies getting into this and needed to start from scratch.  There's a link to HCV acronyms at the bottom right of this page and the following is a bit outdated, but describes the low blood counts, ranges, etc.

http://www.chemocare.com/managing/low_blood_counts.asp

[lynda607]

Did they do the TMA part of the Heptimax because you didn't post the results or did they just do the RT-PCR part?

[can-do-man]

The main ones to watch is your Hemoglobin or HGB, Absolute neutrophils or ANC, their the ones that Rescue drugs are for. And then your platelet count. The rest just keep an eye on that they stay close to normal range..

[lynda607]

After almost two months on triple those numbers are looking pretty darn good.  I'm surprised the hgb hasn't dropped that much yet.  What is your ribavirin dosage?  ANC and platelets are nice too.  

[MsDragonSlayer]

I wish I understood better, understood a few more details, I appreciate you lookin, thanks for the positive!
Carolyn

[can-do-man]

All of your blood results look great, better then one would expect during treatment......... Hang in there