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Author Topic: Blood Tests?  (Read 8007 times)

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Offline Layla123

  • Member
  • Posts: 35
Blood Tests?
« on: March 01, 2017, 07:32:27 pm »
As most know I was recently diagnosed with HCV. I was infected approx. 10 weeks ago. So today I go for my blood test and ask the person taking the blood, did the doctor ask for a complete blood panel and other tests? He informed me "no, your doctor has requested the HCV RNA and liver enzyme panel....So for those of you who have been tested early I have a few questions...

1) what is the normal frequency to have blood tested? my doc has me going every two weeks

2) is it normal to test for HCV RNA every time? what information is the doc getting from that test?

3) would it make sense to test for antibodies?

4) Should my doc be doing a CBC to watch how my RBC and WBC are behaving?

Should I recommend any additional blood screening to doc?

THANKS!!!!!!

Offline lporterrn

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  • Posts: 1,969
  • LucindaPorterRN
    • LucindaPorterRN
Re: Blood Tests?
« Reply #1 on: March 01, 2017, 09:15:18 pm »
Although I am not someone who was tested early, I feel comfortable answering your questions based on my clinical experience.

Your doctor may have his/her reasons for checking you frequently, but in general, the most efficient procedure would be to wait for 6 months and see if you test positive for HCV RNA. That test does not need to be done every 2 weeks. Checking liver enzymes frequently seems prudent, on the very rare chance that something more serious occurs.

No sense to check antibodies or CBC (unless doc suspects a different medical condition than HCV)
Lucinda Porter, RN
1988 Contracted HCV
1997 Interferon nonresponder
2003 PEG + ribavirin responder-relapser
2013 Cured (Harvoni + ribavirin clinical trial)
https://www.hepmag.com/blogger/lucindakporter

Offline Lynn K

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 4,543
  • Get tested, get treated, get cured, fight Hep c!
Re: Blood Tests?
« Reply #2 on: March 01, 2017, 11:21:18 pm »
As far as testing your viral load every 2 weeks I am totally guessing but maybe he is wanting to know as soon as possible if you are clear of the virus but as Lucinda said not much point until 6 months post it would either be not detected or if still detected at that time then you will need treatment to be cured.

I only had a viral load before I treated then at 4 weeks on treatment at the end of treatment, 4 weeks and 12 weeks after I completed treatment. Then for my own peace of mind at 6 months post and 1 year post but that was only because of my prior history.

Hang in there you will have answers soon but it will take a while.
Genotype 1a
1978 contracted, 1990 Dx
1995 Intron A failed
2001 Interferon Riba null response
2003 Pegintron Riba trial med null response
2008 F4 Cirrhosis Bx
2014 12 week Sov/Oly relapse
10/14 fibroscan 27 PLT 96
2014 24 weeks Harvoni 15 weeks Riba
5/4/15 EOT not detected, ALT 21, AST 20
4 week post not detected, ALT 26, AST 28
12 week post NOT DETECTED (07/27/15)
ALT 29, AST 27 PLT 92
24 week post NOT DETECTED! (10/19/15)
44 weeks (3/11/16)  fibroscan 33, PLT 111, HCV NOT DETECTED!
I AM FREE!

Offline Layla123

  • Member
  • Posts: 35
Re: Blood Tests?
« Reply #3 on: March 02, 2017, 05:25:42 am »
Thank you both! My appt is Monday so i will have answers then...I have put together a draft with many questions! Seems I am unique in having been diagnosed within 4-6 weeks of being infected. I guess thats a positive way of looking at it! Hopefully it will encourage more people to donate blood! Those who can  :(

Offline Lynn K

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  • Member
  • Posts: 4,543
  • Get tested, get treated, get cured, fight Hep c!
Re: Blood Tests?
« Reply #4 on: March 02, 2017, 01:23:28 pm »
I was diagnosed after a blood donation too. Sucks we can't donate blood anymore. I had donated several times before that donation but this was my first donation after they had come up with the antibody test.

I guess I may have saved a few lives before but also unknowingly given them hep c.

I probably had hep c for 12 years before the antibody test was invented.

So yes I guess you are in something of a unique situation but lucky that it was caught so very early.
Genotype 1a
1978 contracted, 1990 Dx
1995 Intron A failed
2001 Interferon Riba null response
2003 Pegintron Riba trial med null response
2008 F4 Cirrhosis Bx
2014 12 week Sov/Oly relapse
10/14 fibroscan 27 PLT 96
2014 24 weeks Harvoni 15 weeks Riba
5/4/15 EOT not detected, ALT 21, AST 20
4 week post not detected, ALT 26, AST 28
12 week post NOT DETECTED (07/27/15)
ALT 29, AST 27 PLT 92
24 week post NOT DETECTED! (10/19/15)
44 weeks (3/11/16)  fibroscan 33, PLT 111, HCV NOT DETECTED!
I AM FREE!

 


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