Viral load

[mlkinmb]

My HCV RNA is 23,964,000, most likely to start treatment in January. Biopsy scheduled for tomorrow. Genotype not known yet, waiting on result. How many people have had a viral load this high and had sucessful treatment?

[EyesofBlue55]

I have genotype 1a and have a viral load now of 17,000,000.Viral load jumps around-it was 10,000,000 for me in March,then 8,000,000 in june then in October it was 17,000,000.Hopefully when you get your genotype and biopsy report you can decide on whats best for you as far as treatment.I have minimal liver damage they say so Im holding out for the new drugs that are coming out next year(they up your odds of clearing for geno 1's.)Dont let your dr rush you into tx if you have minimal liver damage.Thats what one of my drs did.See a hepatologist if possible-they are alot more educated as far as this disease goes......get educated,ask questions here-you get alot of support from the people on this forum.Good Luck and keep us posted.Also keep copies of your bloodwork-someone here will help you interpret them.....cindy

[Bill1954]

And conversely, I had a very low viral load (<150,000) but had a dickens of a time getting rid of the virus. I did eventually, but it took some doing. All in all, it’s evident that other factors play into the response equation, such as host and viral DNA, etc.

Again, good luck and take care—

--Bill

[eureka254]

Being well-informed will be a great asset in fighting this virus, and indeed the biopsy and genotype will be the most vital pieces of information in your approach to treatment more so than your viral load.  Many people with high viral loads are successful in treatment; hopefully some of them will weigh in and give you positive reinforcement.  From personal experience, my husband started treatment with a baseline VL of 17,900,000 and was able to get to undetectable virus by week 13.  Hope that helps. ~eureka

[mlkinmb]

Thanks, pretty much what I have read so far. I got the ultrasound blood test results from the hospital before my next appointment. Jumping the gun, but wanted to be informed before meeting with ID specialist. Thanks again.

[Bill1954]

I wouldn’t be overly concerned with viral load; many patients have reported load higher than this and they eventually treated successfully. If you are one of those that responds to treatment, a high viral load shouldn’t present much of an obstacle to treatment success. The genotype is much more important than viral load in terms of response profile; it tends to trump all other predictors.

Good luck with biopsy results; with luck, you’ll find you have genotype 2 which responds more quickly and more surely than other strains.

Welcome to the discussion group, by the way. Let us know what you find—

Bill