Standard for VL check

[Junebug812]

Hi all,

I'm wondering if there is standard in terms of checking VL during tx. My doc told me at the onset that I would be checked at 4 weeks. If by 8 weeks I was not UND, tx would last for 48 weeks rather than 24 (I'm geno 3). I was checked at 4 weeks and was UND(!), but I'm not scheduled again until end of tx. Is this standard? I guess my concern is that if I'm in fact not UND, I'd like to know since I'm having a tough time with the sx. Would love to know what others experiences have been.

Many thanks,
June

[Junebug812]

My doctor is back from vacation so I asked him if I am supposed to have another VL test and he said he'll submit the order for this week when I do my regular blood work, which is good as I'd like to know that I'm still on track. I'm on week 15 of 24. I asked him when the next VL test would be and he said not until 6 months after tx? Does this happen for everyone?

[Junebug812]

Thanks for the link Bill. This was very helpful, though yes, it is generating more questions.

[Bill1954]

Hi June,

If you like you can browse through the AASLD Practice Guidelines; this document has a lot of info available in it. You might have questions about some of the information there, but folks here can help with some of those questions:

http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c/images/hepatitisc.pdf

Good luck,

-Bill

[can-do-man]

I would ask the doctor for another vl test, but just so you know being und at week 4 is really good news and viral breakthurs are pretty rare....... Hang in there, sounds like it will be over soon........

[Junebug812]

Thanks for the info. Hmmm, I'm in my 13th week now and no talk of checking my VL again, but wonder if that's because I'm scheduled to do 24 weeks. My doc is on vacation. Good to know what others have done so that when he returns I can speak to him from a more informed place.

[meakea]

I should also say that those were the "typical" weeks when I did treatment (I'm 18 mos post treatment).  I think maybe they have become more frequent than that now especially in the beginning to determine more precisely when one becomes undetectable.  

[meakea]

I think it's typically 4, 12, 24 and 48 (if one goes for 48).