Viral load

[doc1960]

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

[FlGuy]

Generally speaking, and with clearance of viral load fairly early in treatment  a person continues treatment after reaching undetected status. For example, a Geno 1 might reach undetected around week 12 and then will continue treatment another 36 weeks for a total of 48.  It's to get the little buggers that may still be in the blood but sneak by detection in tests or are hiding in nooks and crannies.  I like the concept of time off for good behavior but it's not really part of the treatment sentence.

[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

[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.

[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 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

[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.