Viral load

[doc1960]

I have genotype 1a and my viral load is 5,800,000. Is that real bad or normal in this case.

[Boomer1963]

I was in a dynamite explosion 32 years ago and had my liver torn in two, they did a resection and sewed it back together, needless to say I went through alot of blood and the year was 1985, they didn't start testing until 1992....Luckily I only contracted hep C 1a, and not aids....I have never been treated so ive been diagnosed as chronic hep C my viral load is 11,200,000 , I have had a liver ultra sound with my liver measuring 16mm, with slightly increased echogenicity, mild fatty infiltration...I finally got my referral to the heptologist, can anyone tell me what to expect.....thank you

[flyinlynn]

Hi rrmr

This is a really old thread start a new question by clicking on post a question at the top of the page.

As to your question it is impossible to prove a negative. You can only prove something works or there is no evidence.

My question to you is can you provide any written proof that any diet, liver cleansing or immune system boost have ever eradicated the hepatitis C virus?

One cannot eradicate a viral infection by eating special foods. The best you could hope is to slow the damage but never the less damage will continue to occur until your are treated with effective medicines that are able to kill the virus. Food is not medicine.

My recommendation is to see a hepatologist and get treated so you CAN cure yourself of the Hepatitis C virus.

Good luck,
Lynn

[rrmr7971]

Can you provide me any kind of written proof that a special diet will not cure hep c, ie, liver cleansing and immune system boosting fruits, veggies, herbs.

[flyinlynn]

Hi Cassie4

Welcome  to the group

This is a really old conversation from 2010.
So that your question gets noticed I suggest you start a new question by going to the top of the page and clicking on the "Post A Question" link and then ask your question.

Also if you could provide context of your term RF is that a blood test? Were you being tested for rheumatoid arthritis?

Lynn

[Cassie4cats]

What does having a negative RF mean?
Cassie4

[sugarcookies]

Thank You  &  Best Wishes to you !!

[spectda]

if your husband in not detectable for viral count for six months after treatment he is most likely cured. This does not mean that his liver damage is healed immediately and that his liver enzymes will immediately return to normal.

There is a lot of evidence that the liver will heal itself if a person takes good care of themselves after successful treatment. If you have fibrosis or especially cirrhosis it is important that you continue to eat healthy, maintain a healthy weight, exercise and do not drink if you want your liver to heal. How long it takes to heal, and how much damage is reversed is different in each individual. Having no viral load is the first step, good luck

[sugarcookies]

Thanks - I was hoping that once the viral load goes down to 0 that we wouldn't have to be so concerned  about my husbands liver anymore and also if any damage the liver would then return to normal & healthy - This is how I see it  &  sure hope its true -

[spectda]

Sorry a lot of typos. Using the phone that finishes words. They say that viral load is not an indicator for liver damage. I don't think they have studies how VL effects non-liver manifestations such as Cryo. I think a lot of statements are made by the medical community about.this disease that the really don't know about for sure.

[spectda]

In 2005 my co was 15 million i/u. In December of 2009 it wad 1.5 million. A month ago right before I started tx it was 6 million. At some point in between it eS ad low as 400,000  

[sugarcookies]

Hi
Also if your viral load becomes undetectable  0  after  treatment does this mean you have no liver damage ??  

[sugarcookies]

Hi
If your high viral load goes down to  0 - undetectable after your treatment of choice does it mean you are cleared of the Hep c virus ?? Because I heard that all the Liver function tests must be normal as well  to be cleared of Hep C -

My Question is if some of your liver function tests are  still out of range but your high viral load went down dramatically to undetectable 0 are you cleared of the Hep c - or not until all the liver function tests are normal also ?? Thanks

[Deb9991]

Bill, first of all, I want to congratulate you on finally reaching SVR.  After 152 weeks, you truly are an inspiration to me and many others who are going through treatment or about to.  You perservered through determination, hope, stamina, and fortitude.  It paid off.  From what I have read, it appears those patients who don't give up, even if they have to treat more than one time, eventually do win.  

Thank you for sending me the information on who to contact for financial assistance.  I too am on Medicare and have already contacted Pegassist, and they are sending me the paperwork to fill out to see if I qualify.  I will call Schering-Plough tomorrow.  I simply do not know to many people who can afford a $700-$900/mo. co-payment for these essential drugs.  If I don't get some assistance, it is going to be a serious financial burden on me and I may have to wait before I can treat.  I will try every avenue.  From what I have heard, many of these drug companies do help patients out financially.  My doctor told me that Pegasys has a special fund for people who need assistance.  It is in their best interest to do so, especially with people who already have insurance because they will still be making money.  From a humanitarian perspective, it is also in their best interests to help those who do not have insurance.  

I will continue to follow this blog and read what you and others have to say.  I will also keep you and others posted on my progress.  In addition, and maybe even more importantly, I will want to know the progress, issues, problems, etc. of others who are going through this difficult treatment, have gone through it, and are planning on going through it.  

We all need to stick together tight -- and give each other strength, hope and perserverance because in the end, it will be worth it.

Deb

[Bill1954]

Hi Deb, you’ve apparently done some research and are doing a good job of keeping informed.

I agree wholeheartedly; there are two schools of thought involved in HCV management; and both have their own merits. It seems to boil down to doing what we feel is right, and hope for the best outcome.

I had genotype 1, and treated twice for a total of 152 weeks before I was finally successful; I’ve been SVR now for nearly two years.  It’s a chore, but it can be done :o).

If you run into trouble financially, even with insurance, you can call the manufacturer’s patient assistance programs and see what they have to offer. I used Schering-Plough’s Commitment to Care program even though I had Medicare coverage; they took care of both interferon and ribavirin 100%, with no copays or any other related charges. They’re a very good outfit; Roche pharmaceuticals has their own program as well:

Pegassist (Roche Pegasys system): 1-877-734-2797

Commitment to Care (Schering- Plough PEG-Intron system): 1-800-521-7157

Good luck as you move forward, and let us know how things proceed—

Bill

[Deb9991]

Bill, thanks for that information.  I will certainly check out the web site you suggested so I can ascertain a more clear picture of what my viral load (4.7) means.  I do know that it has no bearing on liver damage, but could have some bearing on SVR.  I also know there are several factors to look at when considering patients who may have a better success rate at responding and others who may not.  In many ways, it is a throw of the dice.  I will tell you this, and everyone one who reads this, I deeply regret not getting treated before now.  I know that doctors have been of two thoughts on hepatitis C -- that being not to treat if there are no problems, and only treat when problems arise.  In my own opinion, treat the minute you hear you have hepatitis C for a variety of reasons.  The earlier you treat, the better your chances of SVR are and also if you don't respond, you do have time to wait until a better anti-viral product becomes available.  Also, the longer you wait, the more damage that is likely to occur from this hideous virus.  Also, and perhaps most importantly, getting rid of this virus is a tremendous load off your backs.  Your mental health improves along with your physical health.  It has been a kind of hell the past 19 years wondering when and if I would develop liver disease and, possibly, liver cancer.  Hepatitis also effects all the organs of the body, just not the liver.  Living with hepatitis is no picnic -- I can honestly say that since I contacted this virus, I have not been in optimal health.  I just never feel great and when I do, it doesn't last long.  

I can't wait to get the liver biopsy, and then start treatment and get it over with and, hopefully, achieve SVR.

Also, I would like to ask people how they have coped financially.  I have insurance, but until I reach what is called "catastropic coverage ($4,000)," I have to come up with over $4,000.  I have good insurance, but the hep drug is considered a "Tier 4," which is really expensive and will cost me about $800/mo.  After paying and reaching the $4,000, the pegasys/ribavarin will only cost me a few buck -- it is just getting to $4,000 that is going to be challenging.  How do people without insurance get the drug?  

It infuriates me that there are drugs available with medium and high cure rates for people suffering a disease but are so expensive that many people can't afford them, thus their lives are threated and perhaps even lost.  

Deb

[Bill1954]

Hi Deb—

Before I forget, good luck with the biopsy results; that should yield some important info for you.

The viral load you mentioned needs clarification from the doctor; it could represent 4.7 million IU/mL, or it could also indicate a logarithmic value; log 4.7 would translate numerically to about 50,000. Either way, it doesn’t tell much about disease progression. It will come in handy if treatment begins, then it can be used to gauge response to the meds.

With genotype 3, I’d guess that your odds for successful treatment (achieving SVR) are roughly 70%; assuming you complete your treatment, and manage to remain fully compliant throughout. Be sure to discuss weight-based drugs, particularly the ribavirin; they used to flat dose GT-3, and relapse occurred rather frequently.

For more info on interpreting viral load, see:

http://janis7hepc.com/Viral_Loads.htm

(You’ll need to scroll through that page, but there’s lots of information available there.

Best of luck to you—

Bill

[Deb9991]

Hi to everyone on this post.  I have had Hepatitis C for 19 years.  During those 19 years, my doctors all said that there was no reason to treat due to all the liver function tests that I was given, however, I went a couple of months ago and it was discovered that I had cryoglobulins in my blood and it would be best to treat.  I have a liver biopsy schedule in June of 2010.  Also, according to the nurse practitioner that I spoke to, told me my viral load was 4.7 -- in the medium range.  Does that mean 4,700,000?  I'm confused about viral load.  I do know that it is not relevant to liver damage.  I had a C-scan and my liver showed no cirrotic enlargement and appeared normal -- but, I now know that only a biopsy will tell the tale.  I am also a genotype 3a, a 56 year old woman, and of average to low weight for my height.  What are my chances for success -- if that can evey be predicted by every thing I have mentioned above.  I just want to tx, get on with it and get it over.  I would appreciate any information about my potential for sustaining SVR.

Thanks, D

[Deb9991]

Hi to everyone on this post.  I have had Hepatitis C for 19 years.  During those 19 years, my doctors all said that there was no reason to treat due to all the liver function tests that I was given, however, I went a couple of months ago for a checkup and it was discovered that I had cryoglobulins in my blood and it would be best to treat.  I have a liver biopsy schedule in June of 2010.  Also, I was told me my viral load was 4.7 -- in the medium range.  Does that mean 4,700,000?  I'm confused about viral load.  I do know that it is not relevant to liver damage.  I had a C-scan and my liver showed no cirrotic enlargement and appeared normal -- but, I now know that only a biopsy will tell the tale.  I am also a genotype 3a, a 56 year old woman, and of average to low weight for my height.  What are my chances for success -- if that can be predicted by every thing I have mentioned above.  I just want to tx, get on with it and get it over.  I would appreciate any information about my potential for sustaining SVR and especially the 4.7 number.

Thanks greatly, D

[GrandOak]

VL needs to goto 0 and stay at 0 through end of TX, 6 months after TX, and 2 yrs after TX to be "cured" of the disease.  HCV is a nasty little bugger which can hide, but also an impatient one which will not hide for long.  Given the sensitivity of today's test, the 0 mark will quickly pick up if the virus has gotten impatient and is replicating at levels to become detectale again in very short order if it is still present.

Ultrasounds and CTs generally can only see the surface of the liver, not internally, and so only can measure the extent of scarring present.  The scarring can show if there is an increase of damage as attacks on the liver often is reflected by an increase in the scarring.

If there is an increase, another biopsy may be necessary to examine the extent of internal damage.

The one caveat to the Ultrasound is if it is actually a Fibroscan, which is a newer non-invasive technique to guage extent of damage that is something akin to an Ultrasound.

Keep in mind that HCV is only one of many things which can result in damage to the liver.  So increase LFT's are not always directly correlated to HCV.  But if a person is HCV pos, it more often than not is a case where increased counts is related to the cause.

[nygirl7]

herbs  for his hep c - 1a - Viral load keeps going down more herbs he takes yet the doctor says his liver still could be not good  & telling him to get a biopsy ??  "

Some herbs can actually cause more liver damage then help.  As said above the ultrasound doesn't show how far his liver damage has progressed, just that he does not have tumors or cancer that can grow from the HCV.  Mine too was perfect and I was biopsied at stage 3 when I was diagnosed (out of stage 1-4 with 4 being cirrhosis).

If you are still going to a general practitioner you need to upgrade now to a hep doctor. You need one with knowledge of this specific disease - most  GPs do not know as much as they pretend. Mine said I was fine and did not have any damage and did not need treatment. As you can see my hep doctor ordered the biopsy and already my liver was almost damaged to cirrhosis.  

Also VL does not matter very much as it jumps up and down all the time.  His liver enzymes (ALT and AST) can be of more use to see what is going on but even they are not truly reliable as a well to see what is happening at that moment......the biopsy is the only way to know.

Good luck.

[Diane12855]

I know what you mean about men not talking to their doctors. Mine is like that too, but luckily our doctor doesn't mind my questions. Sometimes I think it is just that the "man" doesn't like a "woman" questioning him... especially if he is a little insecure about his knowledge.

My insurance company let me just call a new doctor when I told them that my old doctor made me feel like I wouldn't get good treatment when I started treatment. By the way, my insurance company WANTED me to do the treatment. They even called me and sent me letters until I ordered my meds. They know it is cheaper in the long run to treat before the liver is ruined.

Good luck with whatever you decide.
Diane

[sugarcookies]

Yes I think maybe we should find a new doctor when we can - This doctor gets  so angry when I ask him questions rather than my husband  who kind of just sits there because thats my husbands personality laid back kind of a guy - Doctor said  I cant go in the exam room with my husband anymore because wives aren't suppose to ask the questions only the patient - Well my husband just listens and answers just yes  or no to the doctor and  ends up knowing nothing at all about his health so I asked for copies of his med paperwork and I dont understand it at all - So for now I will continue with his herbs because they  are making him  much better than he was until we can go to a new doctor- I wonder if we need a referral to go to a gastroenterologist -

[Diane12855]

I would find another doctor if I were you. There are many doctors out there who haven't learned anything new about hep c since they were in medical school, yet they give out advice as if they were experts. They are dangerous. You really need to go to a hepatologist, but if there isn't one near you at least go to a gastroenterologist. Either one of these would definitely have him get a biopsy just because there is active virus present. Mine didn't even ask me to do an ultrasound... just sent me straight to the biopsy.

[Trinity4]

You or your husband really need to do some research about hepc.
Ultrasound does not provide the neccessay analysis in determining the exact heath of a person's liver who is infected with hepc.

My ultra sound and CT scan was normal and my liver stage is 3/4.

Here is a good website to start with that will explain not only the disease but what tests are required as well as what they mean.

http://www.janis7hepc.com/

Trinity