Reading HCV Viral Test Results

[McKenzieLeigh]

I was told that I have the antibodies of Hepatitus C about 7 years ago.  Recently, my doctor performed a Quantitative Viral test to measure the amount of infection in my blood so we could find out the risk of passing it on to my children.  I can't figure out what they mean.  They say the levels are normal, but I want to know more about the amounts.  Can you help?

HCV RNA QN TMA       <5                <5IU/mL
HCV RNA QN TMA       <0.70            <0.70 log IU/mL

I also had a Hepatic Function Panel and here are the results.  I can tell that all of my numbers fall within "normal" range, but I have no idea what these things are.  Which ones are on the border?  Which ones are more important to watch or are the most telling numbers?  Which are the most "unnormal" side of normal?  Is there any cause for concern now?

Protein, Total                6.6                    6.2-8.3 g/dL
Albumin                       4.4                    3.6-5.1 g/dL
Globulin                       2.2                     2.2-3.9 g/dL (calc)
Albumin/Globulin Ration       2.0               1.0-2.1 (calc)
Bilirubin, Total                    0.8                0.2-1.2 mg/dL
Bilirubin, Direct                  0.1                 < OR = 0.2 mg/dL
Bilirubin, Indirect                0.7                0.2-1.2 mg/dL (calc)
Alkaline Phosphatase           44                 33-115 U/L
AST                                     18             10-30 U/L
ALT                                     12                  6-40 U/L

[debnevada]

Jim, i had a TMA at week 11 and 18 that said <5.

The last one I had at 24 weeks said NOT DETECTED instead of <5.

Do you think there's a difference?  Same lab in California that Quest sends Las Vegas PCR/TMAs to, same machine.

just curious, i'm not sloughing off a good thing.

Also, my internist said ...enough is enough, 36 weeks is it.  He talked to Gish about it and the nurse said i'll probably be able to stop at 36 but you know, after hearing me talk about it ad nauseaum, how i feel about it.....i don't want a gimme.

take good care,
deb

PS: Sorry to hijack the thread.

[hepcD]

It looks like you are negative of the virus. About twenty percent of the people
infected clear the virus on there own. Your hepatic function panel looks great.

[jmjm530]

Your doctor is correct. Your results are "normal". You don't have Hep C. There is no virus present. Your enzymes are perfect. Everything else in normal range. In short, you're good to go.

Transmission within households (even sexual tranmission) is uncommon, and that is for people who have the virus which you don't. The advice has been not to share personal items such as a toothbrush, nail file, etc, which probably doesn't apply since you have no virus but my feeling is that you probably shouldn't share those items anyway for other health reasons.

-- Jim