Hepatitis Forums
Hepatitis C Prevention, Transmission and Testing => Am I Infected? => Topic started by: Mixer on December 20, 2014, 08:10:47 pm
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I am 59 years old and have been infected for about 35+ years but have never been treated. I am Genotype 1 and my viral load was checked in 2011 and was 86,000 IU/ml..... ALT and AST were 79 and 111.
I never had a biopsy because lack of treatment options till recently I really didn't want to know but now with this new treatment Havoni its starting to make me think about treatment.
Don't know with my levels being so low that I may have time to let this all play out seeing how hard it is to approved for treatment especially if your not in a really advanced stage.
Debating on taking the next step and get a biopsy
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Hi Mixer,
I would ask if you have a Labcorp near you and if you can use them from your insurance company. They have a new blood test called Fibrosure which may not be covered by your insurance Company because they may say it's investigational but you still get the INS company discount and my cost for the test was under 100.00. With that test they were able to identify my stage and i didn't have to get a biopsy.
There's also another test called Fibroscan that's becoming more and more available. Biopsies aren't fun and if you can get by without having to have one I would take that route. Check with you doctor and see if it's an option.
If I were you I would still try and get the treatment, if your numbers are still that good then you will only need 8 weeks of Harvoni to cure it and may be approved but you don't know till you try. Having a really good doctor who will help makes a huge difference.
Wishing you good health and SVR in 2015!
Mel
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I have Heathspan, gonna have to check about that test......I never hit my deductible anyway so I can just pay for it if its not covered
Thanks
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By the way I apologize for posting this in this topic.....I just noticed it was Am I Infected ? and I thought it was just I am Infected
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No big deal and no need to apologize; the Admins will move it for us if they need to!
Mel
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I was denied treatment at first, then my Dr ordered Fibrosure and appealed. Then I was approved. Fibrosure score was 71, not sure exactly what that means. My VL was 30,000,000 and was told VL not that important. Not sure what the criteria is for the insurance company. VL really increased the last 2-3 years as it used to fluctuate between 1-3 million. biopsy 2004 F0, 2009 F1 and now I'm told it is F2-F4 from blood tests.
Keep trying Mixer !! I hope you are successful.
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Thanks